For several years, Satch Carlson, popular motorsports journalist, has been trying to raise some interest in American participation in the Targa Tasmania, an all-out rally on the island of Tasmania just off Australia.
In 2000, Satch accompanied Teresa Davenport and Cheri Huntoon who were contesting the Targa Tasmania in a Saab Sonett V4. Acting as Team Manager, Public Relations provider, and Pit Boy, Satch sent back regular reports from the event and his team's adventures.
Satch writes:
Teresa Davenport acquired her SAAB Sonett after a Canadian rally found her
driving her Alfa Duetto Spyder through two inches of fresh, wet snow. "I
like front-wheel drive for the traction," she says, "and a decent heater is
a definite plus!"
Preparation for Targa Tasmania 2000 actually started in 1997, when Davenport
began a vintage-racing program in the Pacific Northwest. "There are no
all-out tarmac rallies in America," she says, "so we took it to the track
for asphalt practice---especially in the rain, because some part of the
Targa Tasmania course is bound to be wet." Everything from shock-absorber
settings to spring rate, from interior amenities to the choice of Yokohama
AVS Intermediate tires, was geared toward adventure on the Apple Isle.
Navigator Cheri Huntoon came aboard in 1999, running "normal" rallies and
taking road trips to familiarize herself with the car and its driver, as
well as practicing the routines of preparing pace notes for the FIA event.
"There's nothing quite like Targa Tasmania anywhere in the world," says
Davenport. "But interested drivers should be warned: It's really addictive!"
Daily updates reprinted with permission of the author.
Page design, photos and some graphics copied from the Official Targa Tasmania web site. Click on button below to visit that site.
