Targa NZ’s six day tarmac rally event, named ‘The Ultimate Road Race’, is set to kick off this Labour Day (Mon 25 Oct). The rally sets off from Auckland and finishes up in Wellington on Saturday 30 October. The event has attracted some very interesting vehicles not least the 39 entries in the Metalman Classic Class.

For instance why would you take your Targa ready Porsche 996 Turbo Porsche when you could run a 1968 HK Holden Monaro GTS 327?  That’s the dilemma Mack and Anne Storey had until the Monaro passed Targa’s stringent scrutineering check.  They will now be running the Monaro in Category 0, up against Mike Lowe in the ‘diminutive’ 1964 Fiat Abarth Berlina Corsa 1000.

Neil Tolich’s fabulous 1970 Ford Capri Perana V8 has long given many of the Modern Class a run for their money. The Perana has had an engine ‘refresh’ after four years as has the gearbox.  Neil says they have added a rear anti-roll bar and lowered the panhard rod to effectively stop it lifting a front wheel.  Neil has also fitted an HD in-car camera capable of live streaming onto the Targa website.

Whilst Clark Proctor has moved up to the Modern Class with the Nissan GT-R35 his super fast Metalman Turbo Escort has not been retired completely. Clark will run it in the forthcoming Trans Am GT1 Series in Targa livery and may run it in the Targa two day events.

There are eleven BMWs of varying descriptions running, starting with Gerry Hodges immaculately presented and rare 1984 633CSi. The Kirk-Burnnand brothers Barry and Chris are entered in their M3s although Chris prefers to have his son Mark drive. There is a third Kirk-Burnnand running – Barry’s son Carl, in a 325i.

Porsche are not confined to the Modern Class either.  There are three in the Classics.  An interesting entry is Kelly Silverthorn, the man from Targa Canada West, who has leased Steve Rasmussen’s very nice 911, a 1973 3.0 RS.  Steve, who owns Euro Pacific in Pirongia, an independent Porsche parts specialist, is relocating to Hampton Downs.  Another Porsche is Eddie Grooten in a 1978 911 SC.  Eddie is the man behind Dad’s Pies that we ‘sneak-in’ to buy from the Wild Bean Cafes.

There are two Holden Toranas competing, a crowd favourite being Garth McGregor’s 1971 XU1 — lots of good old-fashioned induction noise.

Their complete seeding list can be found at: http://www.targa.co.nz

Check back for more updates on the upcoming Targa NZ Rally.

Photo Credit: Groundsky Photography