1998 Targa Tasmania

1998 Targa Tasmania

By Greta Young & Louise McMillan

By the time this goes to print Targa will be but a memory in the minds of Victorian members Craig Laker and Tzu-Pei Chen. Hopefully it will conjure up better memories for Craig than Loukey Heights at Phillip Island! , but that in itself is another story…..

When I caught up with Craig to take these photos, the red beast has just clicked over 100,000km. The previous day Faulken GBR’s had been fitted to each corner in readiness for her battle with the Tasmanian elements. The car remains stock except for Koni shocks and aftermarket brakes and pads, and some rather large white paw prints on the bonnet. 


The Falzon car tearing through town


Craig Laker & Car prior to the rally

The pair have not done too much prep other than Craig undertaking a compulsory driver training day at Calder. "I was a bit disappointed with my times at Calder, they were at least 2 seconds off the times I achieved with my 1990 model". When asked if he had studied pace notes from previous events he replied "NO. I don’t want to go down there over confidant, as I want to bring my car back in one piece!"

Craig was not our only MR2 entrant Craig, Charles Falzon from Sydney entered after his third consecutive Targa trophy, previously completing Targa in 1996 and 1997. Charles entered his 1991 white SW20 riding with his Navigator Grahame Simmons. Unfortunately due to illness in the Falzon family, Charles was unable to continue from Burnie for the 5th leg of the event, but, as Neal Bates had prepared the car for them Neal was quite happy to take over the helm for Charles and also bring home a Targa plate for these guys.

Unfortunately due to illness in the Falzon family, Charles was unable to continue from Burnie for the 5th leg of the event, but, as Neal Bates had prepared the car for them Neal was quite happy to take over the helm for Charles and also bring home a Targa plate for these guys congratulations to you all for just finishing!!!

Craig came 3rd in his class at Targa, and 42nd outright. The team came 3rd in their class. Had they been in the correct class (*somebody* doesn't know the weight of their car) they would have won their class. The red terror did well to beat a Celica GT4 but could not quite cut it with the HSV Commodore or the V8 Lexus! Craig has just rejoined the club so congratulations to you for completing this grueling event and achieving your first Targa plate. 

Driver Teams


Laker (left) & Chen (right)


Simmons (left) & Falzon (right)

Overall Positions

Vehicle Number

Crew

Vehicle

Category/Class

Overall Position

Overall Margin

936

Falzon - Simmons

1991 Toyota MR2

9LMSD

30

32.39

914

Laker - Chen

1992 Toyota MR2

9SSC 42 43.49



Last updated on 14/06/06 by Anthony Oh