Every Targa Should be wet, add more rain, then dry out!
The Hatsford Targa proved to be an intriguing Targa, with the conditions showing that more standard cars can be VERY competitive.
60 crews took the start after a period of rain leading up to the event. Conditions were damp at the start, not a day for the RWD cars.
Less power appeared to be an advantage, also aggressive LSDs just span both front wheels, leading to less traction away from the Start and Controls. The conditions were a real leveler for all specifications of cars.
John Davies and Nick Bloxham led by one second after the first Test. One second down was the standard 1300 Yaris of Will Rogers and Lisa Rogers, demonstrating that tidy driving in slippery conditions can be very effective. Two further seconds back (but also with a cone penalty) were past winners Paul Bevan and Ollie Jackson. Times were tight, with Andrew and Grace Lees being a further 20 second in arrears. Robert Milligan and David Middleditch in their do it all Classic Mini was another six seconds behind, proving that one car can be used effectively on Targas, Autosolos, Trials, … Huw Morris and Geth Johnson were just one second back on the Mini.
As the Test progressed, the surface became more slippery. The slight uphill before the finish proved to be difficult for the RWD cars, with some needing some outside assistance to reach the finish, it was becoming more like a car Trial!
Nathan Perks visited a ditch and needed recovery, but visibly increased his pace during the day. His jumps were notable.
Some showers of rain followed, making the surface more slippery for Tests 3 and 4. In the Yaris opened up the gap ahead of John Davies and moved in to a significant lead. Two very different cars with huge differences in levels or preparation, but duelling head to head.
Test 2 saw intriguing battles and may getting used to the conditions, but ultimately going slower as the conditions became more slippery. The Rogers stopped the clock on 11:32. Second was Milligan/Middleditch on 11:43. Davies/Bloxham were 18 seconds down on the Yaris with 11:50. Bevan/Jackson were on 11:54 and Alan Morgan and Carol Morgan in their Suzuki Swift had started moving with a 11:59. The lower powered FWD cars were going well!
Tests 3 and 4 saw Rogers/Roders, Milligan/Middleditch, Bevan/Jackson, Morgan/Morgan and Davies/Bloxham leading the way. But Davies/Bloxham were losing a great deal of time in the slippery conditions, especially with two cones on Test 4.
The rain stopped. The sun came out. The Tests dried. John and Nick could now use their power and traction, plus the commitment on the Tests was clear for all to see.
Tests 5 and 6 were the long 8 mile Tests with lapping.
Davies/Bloxham stopped the clocks on 18:47 (with a cone penalty) on Test 5. Bevan/Jackson were econd, but 53 seconds slower. Morris Johnson were just behind on 19:42, Milligan/Middleditch an amazing 19:55 in the Mini, Gillard/Light in their Fiesta a further second back. The Rogers picked up some significant penalties and returned a 21:10. Was the battle over?
A similar story on Test 6, with Davies/Bloxham going over a minute faster than Test 5. Milligan/Middleditch were second quickest on 18:23 with Morris/Johnson on 18:31. Ben Griffin and Pete Littlefield in their 106 had finally woken up and were fourth on 18:34. Lloyd/Thomas showed what an Escort could do with an 18:36. The Rogers had built their pace again with an 18:37, going well in the drier conditions.
Robert Milligan and increased their pace and moved up to second overall in the Mini, an incredible result on 10” wheels! Robert’s overtaking manoeuvre just before the finish on the third Test was particularly impressive!
The top 10 were:
John Davies Nick Bloxham Ford Puma
Robert Milligan David Middleditch Austin Mini
Paul Bevan Ollie Jackson Citroen Saxo VTR
Will Rogers Lisa Rogers Toyota Yaris
Alan Morgan Carol Morgan Suzuki Swift Sport
Huw Morris Geth Johnson Ford Focus
Andrew Lees Grace Lees Vauxhall Nova
Brian Andrews James Leighton Peugeot 106 XS
Ben Griffin Peter Littlefield Peugeot 106 Rallye
Gavin Rogers Keith Emery Ford Escort
In the BTRDA Championship, John Davies took maximum points for the overall win, but with Robert Milligan also picking up a significant haul with second overall.
Huw Morris/Geth Johnson came back strongly in the drier conditions in their Focus.
Steve Retchless and Sasha Heriot were finding the slippery conditions challenging and couldn’t stay with the FWD cars.
Simon Mellings and Karl Ellis were out for the first time in their Nissan Sunny, running at car 13. Despite their number handicap they had no problems and achieved the first finish in the new car.
Richard Yapp and Peter Cox fared well in their low slung Sprite. Noddy and Big Ears (long standing nicknames from before I knew them) achieved a solid result.
Malcolm Dunderdale and Anita Wickins were seeing some sideways action in the Clio, but unfortunately had to return home early.
Great thanks to James Griffiths for the use of his farm, and Simon Harris for his normal impeccable organisation, plus the hosts of others creating and removing the Tests, plus the hoards of Marshals. Many Championship Contenders were out Marshaling, let me know if you were Marshaling to claim your points.
Entries are still available for the Ilfracombe Targa at Chivenor on 5th September.
See you on the Venta Silurum at Caerwent in two weeks!
All photographs courtesy of Andy Manston at M&H Photography.