(Targa) Rally events suitable for a road car
Discussion
Having enjoyed the Pistonheads sporting tour, I'd love to do something similar again - Navigational, autosolos, etc - I'd also like to take part in a targa rally, but pictures show muddied fields etc. - Are there any events that take place on concrete / hard standing? (That are doable for a complete beginner)
It doesn't need to be a perfect surface, but not breaking the car is a bonus! - My car isn't obscenely low etc, so a bumpy old airfield is no issue, as long as there are no super-sump-buster rocks.
I'm a member of Chelmsford MC / Located in Essex, so events within a reasonable distance are a good plus.
It doesn't need to be a perfect surface, but not breaking the car is a bonus! - My car isn't obscenely low etc, so a bumpy old airfield is no issue, as long as there are no super-sump-buster rocks.
I'm a member of Chelmsford MC / Located in Essex, so events within a reasonable distance are a good plus.
There is the Wearside up here at the Nissan factory, runs in september so you have just missed it. 100% sealed surface and no need for a sumpguard or even a trip meter, you never leave the factory site.
We did the Solway Yesterday, only really three tests where to go flat out you might have needed a sumpguard but having said that I reckon a few hadn't bothered with one, a standard VW up went ok.
Many targas have classic/Historic classes, they tend to be relatively smooth as us old car drivers are not too keen on the rough stuff!!
I thought some local clubs in your area ran some good targas on old airfields, the bonfire targa on wethersfield is run by chelmsford MC on Nov 4th.
Wingo.
We did the Solway Yesterday, only really three tests where to go flat out you might have needed a sumpguard but having said that I reckon a few hadn't bothered with one, a standard VW up went ok.
Many targas have classic/Historic classes, they tend to be relatively smooth as us old car drivers are not too keen on the rough stuff!!
I thought some local clubs in your area ran some good targas on old airfields, the bonfire targa on wethersfield is run by chelmsford MC on Nov 4th.
Wingo.
I've never been on the venue but from what I have seen I'd be happy to use a car with no sumpguard. No horror stories in the previous results lists amongst the retirements list!!
If you are a chelmsford MC member get yourself to a club night and ask around.
If you don't get a run on the bonfire there are other targas in the area.
We regularly do 300 to 500 miles in one of BLs finest over a weekend including the event itself. Usually travel to a B&B or hotel near the start the night before, it adds a bit to the cost but we do this for fun and a pre 6.30 get up for a rally is no longer my idea of fun.!!
Wingo.
If you are a chelmsford MC member get yourself to a club night and ask around.
If you don't get a run on the bonfire there are other targas in the area.
We regularly do 300 to 500 miles in one of BLs finest over a weekend including the event itself. Usually travel to a B&B or hotel near the start the night before, it adds a bit to the cost but we do this for fun and a pre 6.30 get up for a rally is no longer my idea of fun.!!
Wingo.
The Farnborough & DMC Rushmoor Targa (18 Nov) is almost all-tarmac. I think the entry is over-subscribed tho.
https://fdmc.org.uk/rushtarga18
The Bramley Targa they ran in March was mainly tarmac (under the snow) so keep an eye out for that next year.
https://fdmc.org.uk/rushtarga18
The Bramley Targa they ran in March was mainly tarmac (under the snow) so keep an eye out for that next year.
If you have a look at the excellent M&H Rally Photography website you'll be able to look at most Targa venues including pics from the last Bonfire Targa,
The pics are often taken on areas where the surface is more loose, presumably to add more drama to the photos.
Chelmsford Motor Club would certainly welcome you with open arms if you'd by up for a spot of marshalling. As you'd then get a first hand view of the surfaces and how the cars are prepared. Some have zero modifications, some quite highly (within the regs).
From my experience Autosolo's are a far smoother proposition, but Targa's are huge fun.
What car are you thinking of using?
The pics are often taken on areas where the surface is more loose, presumably to add more drama to the photos.
Chelmsford Motor Club would certainly welcome you with open arms if you'd by up for a spot of marshalling. As you'd then get a first hand view of the surfaces and how the cars are prepared. Some have zero modifications, some quite highly (within the regs).
From my experience Autosolo's are a far smoother proposition, but Targa's are huge fun.
What car are you thinking of using?
My regular road car 
At the PH Sporting tour Autosolo (Courtesy of M&H Photography!
)
Hence the desire to stick to tarmaced surfaces - Sounds like autosolos may be the best bet for this - As aforementioned, I don't mind a lightly gravelley or muddy few metres, but I'd rather not get stuck / wrecked - Anythig that can be washed off is fair game though!
Looking at the entry lists, It would seem the best bet is to obtain a banger, though that brings a whole load of non trivial costs given insurance etc, as trailering would be impractical / another load of costs.
Might have a look at marshalling
At the PH Sporting tour Autosolo (Courtesy of M&H Photography!
)Hence the desire to stick to tarmaced surfaces - Sounds like autosolos may be the best bet for this - As aforementioned, I don't mind a lightly gravelley or muddy few metres, but I'd rather not get stuck / wrecked - Anythig that can be washed off is fair game though!
Looking at the entry lists, It would seem the best bet is to obtain a banger, though that brings a whole load of non trivial costs given insurance etc, as trailering would be impractical / another load of costs.
Might have a look at marshalling
I've been in touch with SE. They have been on two events I've done this year.
We've had a good year, not many events due to the Navs exams but we still managed to win a few medals!! it helps when you have the event winner in your class, the organisers usually don't give two awards to the same crew.
We've been consistently inconsistent as usual!! Spome very quick times, some not so quick times. Not many wrong test this year if any IIRC.
Also been a doing autotests in the AXe and the navigator has beaten me from time to time. He is soon to take to the public highway himself next month.
Enjoying our clubbie motorsport and even had the time to organise an autotest taster/practice day.
Targas are great grass roots stuff and can be done in a road car as long as you show a bit of common sense. We do up to 500 miles is a weekend, driving to and from the events, doing the event itself in the TR no trailer or service crew to be seen.
If I was looking at a modern car to use i'd stick with RWD and go Mazda MX5.
Might use the AXe on a targa or two just to see if it as competitive as we think it could be.
Wingo.
We've had a good year, not many events due to the Navs exams but we still managed to win a few medals!! it helps when you have the event winner in your class, the organisers usually don't give two awards to the same crew.
We've been consistently inconsistent as usual!! Spome very quick times, some not so quick times. Not many wrong test this year if any IIRC.
Also been a doing autotests in the AXe and the navigator has beaten me from time to time. He is soon to take to the public highway himself next month.
Enjoying our clubbie motorsport and even had the time to organise an autotest taster/practice day.
Targas are great grass roots stuff and can be done in a road car as long as you show a bit of common sense. We do up to 500 miles is a weekend, driving to and from the events, doing the event itself in the TR no trailer or service crew to be seen.
If I was looking at a modern car to use i'd stick with RWD and go Mazda MX5.
Might use the AXe on a targa or two just to see if it as competitive as we think it could be.
Wingo.
There is an Autosolo at Debden Airfield this weekend which you can do with a Chelmsford MC club card:
http://wsmc.co.uk/entry-forms/autosolosautotests/
That is held on concrete surfaces. Autosolos at Debden and Wethersfield have tests just on the cleaner surfaces, and targa rallies would use any slippery & gravelly bits they can find as well.
The Bonfire Targa at Wethersfield is on good and decaying concrete and tarmac. There is a short grassy track with a couple of dips in it. The competitive mileage you get on the targa rallies at Wethersfield and Debden means a lot of wear on your tyres - you would need an extra set of tyres and wheels for those events.
Come along and marshal to find out what Wethersfield is like:
https://chelmsfordmc.co.uk/civicrm/event/info?rese...
The next Essex/Suffolk targa rallies are:
STANTA Targa Rally Sat, 29/12/2018 - at Wretham Camp, by Sporting Car Club of Norfolk
Javalin's Jumbo Targa Rally Sun, 31/03/2019 at Wethersfield Airfield, by Chelmsford MC
http://wsmc.co.uk/entry-forms/autosolosautotests/
That is held on concrete surfaces. Autosolos at Debden and Wethersfield have tests just on the cleaner surfaces, and targa rallies would use any slippery & gravelly bits they can find as well.
The Bonfire Targa at Wethersfield is on good and decaying concrete and tarmac. There is a short grassy track with a couple of dips in it. The competitive mileage you get on the targa rallies at Wethersfield and Debden means a lot of wear on your tyres - you would need an extra set of tyres and wheels for those events.
Come along and marshal to find out what Wethersfield is like:
https://chelmsfordmc.co.uk/civicrm/event/info?rese...
The next Essex/Suffolk targa rallies are:
STANTA Targa Rally Sat, 29/12/2018 - at Wretham Camp, by Sporting Car Club of Norfolk
Javalin's Jumbo Targa Rally Sun, 31/03/2019 at Wethersfield Airfield, by Chelmsford MC
I didn't do the Peugeot Challenge, but the Tony who organised the PistonHeads Sporting Tour did:
Tony-vv5ge
Tony-vv5ge
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