Tarmac Rallying Perpetual Thread

[poolheaters]

I know most of you guys are on E85, but how good was it pulling into St Helens and finding they had no 98!!!

Made me think there and then its worth the money to have more than one service crew/get fuel from a supplier right there!

Melinda did the event on BP98 with only 1 service crew this year (me) and I was surprised just how often I could get to catch up with them. We used Van den Berghs for fuel on day 2 at lunch-St Helens, day 4 after Cethana and at the end at Strahan, and day 5 after Strahan. I managaed to get everywhere else with some good planning and no speeding, just constantly keeping on the move. It kept me interested seeing them often, and good for them if any little problems. I have kept rough distances and travel times to all our service spots, day 2 and 4 were the hardest. I still got to them after Sideling and before Rossarden on day 2 , but alot of driving.

I know of a few competitors who were caught out by the "no 98" at St Helens, and had to put 95 in the car instead, and hope for no engine damage?

We only used fuel from large servos EG: BP in town at Launceston, and BP at Burnie, as we have lost an engine to bad fuel in the past.. I had a very interseting chat with a BP tanker driver unloading at Ulverstone on Day 4 morning who was delivering fuel to the BP there. I asked how often he delivered 98RON to the regional stations, and he said some only took deliveries twice a year! Old 98 and high boost Turbos don't like each other.

All up we used about 500l, including about 180l from Van den Berghs. They get their fuel straight from a tanker from Melbourne, although it is still "Winter Blend" and not quite as friendly as the 98 one would get in the warmer states

Hope this helps

paul

[R32 TT]

Anyone who was really serious about this stuff would insert a catheter, run and a drip and be done with it.

In all seriousness I hear that some of the guys in the Dakar do actually do this! Now that my friends - is true commitment.

no Port-a-loos for these guys!

[Marlin]

Some of the girls use those little lady funnels that turn their inboards into outboards.

Quite disconcerting the first time you see a chick using one though I gotta say

[Targa Tom]

.......turn their inboards into outboards.....

lmao... sometimes you crack me up. lol

That being said - with lady stage workers and navs being part of the sport, maybe a portaloo partner is required.

TT

[sav man]

if only there was some compeditor involved, with a big hiring company that could supply shitters....

[DJRIFT]

in reality what does a porter loo cost. all the satges are set up by people in cars so towing one to each stage is not an issue.

and there seems to be a growing trend for lady navigators.

ive seen Timmy in a dress and he can pass for one if the moment calls for it ;p

[Marlin]

if only there was some compeditor involved, with a big hiring company that could supply shitters....

Angus needs to talk to them about not just long drops but all the hired road equipement.

[Snowman]

Angus does a fine enough job supplying competitors with his wifes baked goods whilst you queue for stages!

On the fuel front - I run 98RON and was caught out at St Helens. Lucky my crew man Brisby was able to meet us before Elephant pass with 40L.

But like Melinda I did most of the event with just the 1 trusty service crew guy. I think the only time I actually used the fuel service for the whole week was after Cethana. I did have another mate waiting after Queenstown with 20L before I did Mt Arrowsmith but otherwise Troy was always able to be where I needed him for the event.

It'd probably be a different story if I ran E85 or even if I ran a zillion kw's but I didn't find fuel a remote issue this year. A full tank at the start of the day and Troy with 60L on board pretty much had me covered every day other than Day 4.

[Marlin]

Ahhh, Gus' "Yumple Scrumple"..... good stuff init!

[sav man]

If your only looking after 1 car, you can almost meet your car at the end of every stage.

We often saw Brisby watching porn on the side of the road

Edited April 18, 2011 by sav man

[Snowman]

The introduction of Yumple Scrumple was possibly the highlight of Targa!

It's really good stuff.

[PHaT MR30]

I miss yumple, I don't think ive had it for 2 years!

We shared a service crew, the other team didn't need much service so they told the service crew to go and spectate for the day.. So no service crew at the end of each stage for us.

[Targa Tom]

The re-seeding and late time sure effects the roadside service if you are near the back. In another life we would casually change suspension settings on days one and two, fuel (when it wasnt restricted to nominated spots) and then carry on... It was easier if you started the event about 60-120 cars from the back. But that has all changed and new stratergies must play out. Next year the goal posts will agin be moved - that is one reason why we love the event.

One difficult thing when the driver says "We are right for fuel, will get some at the end of next stage"

"Sure you dont want 10ltrs?"

"Nah - see you at the next one... vrmmmm"

Right then you know he has no idea how far I have to drive to the next stop does he!!! lol.

861 Service had a puncture on Day 2. As we backed it into a L3 I asked my nav "Hows our tyre pressure in the rear?", He tapped the ETPS on the dash - "No worries, 48psi" he replied. We popped over a crest on a shortcut we use to find a Porsche soft roader with a flat. Not wanting to incur the wrath of the Targa gods - "Gees M8, tough luck getting a flat" I said. "You have one too was the reply" "Nah just looks flat M8 - we got 48 here on the dash" I smiled.

"Hans - has he got a flat?" "Yar" Hans replies.... "Dan have a look - these pricks are taking the piss" I said. Dan leaned half out the door and looked back at me with a ETPS's are useless expression - "Its flat"

We jumped out changed it and were gone inside 2 min.. We saw the Porsche crew a fair bit over the next few days - there was always a wave and knowing we had both endured a fairly rough bit of road...

Then there was the rain on the Mt Black go around and the convoy of vehicles - all doing a fair pace, & finally getting held up while pressing on the 15 mile road - all good fun. Thanks to Motul/Dunlop Motorsport for their VW AWD van (to service a Yoki shod car) - I had a ball.... right up until Snowies "M8" started concreting.. come to think of it, that was fun too.

363 days to go...

TT

[Targa Tom]

No BP 98 in Queenstown...

[sav man]

When was the last time BP was avaliable in Queenstown during Targa? in 08 we got greeted by a closed sign, and we never took the risk again.

[R32 TT]

I miss yumple, I don't think ive had it for 2 years!

What the he'll?? Everyone knows and has had yumple scrumple before??

And here I was thinking angus had shared something special with me that day on the side of the road... I felt.. happy again...

But it turns out you've all had a piece! That bitch, Now I just feel dirty..

[Kel]

Some of the girls use those little lady funnels that turn their inboards into outboards.

That's the last time I share my secrets with you Woo

I'm running a bit late with my post Targa post... hope I don't cop a penalty for it

Congrats to everyone here for the (mostly) brilliant results as usual and sorry to see you go out Timmy- you know you wouldn't be having all this bad luck if you left the dark side and came back to the Skyline

And +1 on the comments around the 20 minutes copped by Dan&Adam, YT and Tony Warren and others - it is an event as much about endurance as speed, and there does need to be some penalties involved for exceeding late time, but 20 minutes is harsh. I'll say it again Benny, it was great to see you in the 999 but especially great NOT to see you at the end of any stages.

One of the things I'll be giving some feedback on is the scruitineering of cars (well checking of tyres) during the day. Three service crews(including ours) saw an EM competitor pull up for service after Hellyer and take THREE TYRES during their stop. The incident was reported, but apparently nothing could be done as there was no photographic evidence and the car turned up to service that evening with correctly marked tyres back on the car. I'm sure the bad weather & incidents that afternoon meant the stage officials were focused on other things, but it's still disapointing that a car which would have been running with unmarked tyres was not picked up, and went on to finish well inside the top ten.

Anyway...

Special hat tip to the super talented Mrs Melinda Bergmann (aka Miss Arrowsmith 2011)- great attitude, good fun and bloody awesome driving skills.

And Ben & Dammo- love your work, especially over Arrowsmith.

We were happy just to finish (Gold Trophy for me this year baby!) with the top ten EM placing a bonus given how competitive the field was.

Fingers crossed this turns into some actual coverage for the category. And a second in Modern teams for Team GTR (Ayres & Bolton, us, Mel & Erik and the Donut King R35) was pretty spesh.

[Marlin]

As per usual Kels, well done girlfriend

I'll come back and read your drivvle later

[poolheaters]

Why hello there everyone!! Mel here, hijacking Paul's account

Getting to know you guys has been a total highlight for me this year! especially Ms Kel, what an absolute doll you are

The other highlight was driving the Skyline - it was sooo fast, soooo awesome and I loved driving it sooo much, I'm thinking about getting the GTR logo tattoo'd on my butt

Also, I've been meaning to chip in belatedly to say --- I can't believe how cheated on I am by Mr Kennard, the man is a complete friendship hussy with his Mum's Yumple Scrumple. I hope he knows that we love him with or without the Yumple (don't tell him that though, I still want the Yumple).

Okay, before it gets all too mushy, I'll sign off by saying I'm (temporarily) retiring!! [NO I'M NOT PREGNANT] My amazing husband has sacrificed his own rallying for me for a while now. It's his turn at our rally budget (*cough* credit card *cough*) and 3 potential rally cars under the house to choose from. I'll have my pom poms out cheering the Skylines on --- and, if you're (un)lucky, I might flash my GTR tatt at you as you fly past

cheers

Mel

Edited April 24, 2011 by poolheaters

[DJRIFT]

Mel your about the only skyline team ben and i didnt get to chat to during the event. you guys were going grate by the end of the event.

hopefully next year our prep will be better and we will have more time to socialise.