Course update

There was overwhelming support for a new stage at Rossarden that will include a short well-maintained gravel section after the stage to get back to the main road so this will be included for the first time and looks like being around 12k’s We have recently received council approval for a brand new street stage- more on this soonWe have reduced 100k touring sections to just one!!!  How cool is that? And by the time you get to this one you will be looking for a rest after competing on Cethana, South Riana, Hellyer Gorge and the new 30k Reece Dam stage to get there!!!!! A full release is coming soonShannons Early & Late ClassicAlthough there has been widespread support for a split in the Classic competition, there has also been much feedback on the Classic Outright structure with many of you saying that although Handicap is still your main aim, it is nice to know where you are placed in Outright without having to give up your Handicap position to find out.

Also, some of you asked what happens if the Outright winner didn’t actually nominate meaning the fastest car didn’t win?  Both were good points and whilst everyone appreciated our reasons for doing this, many questioned the wisdom of making it so black & white.

So, we did what we do these days and we presented the viable options to the Classic competitors currently entered and their choice was virtually unanimous in deciding the following:

Competitors who finish either 1st, 2nd or 3rd in the Outright Competition forfeit an Overall Handicap Placing in their respective Handicap Competition but all competitors will be given a placing in the outright competition Based on this result, this rule will now be in our Supp Regs and we will naturally not have specific Outright Door Panels now in 2008.

Further to this, many asked if we could produce a results sheet each day just for interest and discussion amongst competitors that showed overall placings based on penalty time using the Modern Base Time for the ENTIRE field.  It would sure create some good Targa Bar chat on the Sunday night!  We are working on our results software now to be able to deliver this information and we hope to confirm this in next month’s issue of E-News.

Prologue Gets Better (and the day shorter!!!)Well, we made it a little less painful this year by removing the traditional Prologue start but next year we are making it a whole lot better!

After years of standing around for hours in George Town and then fighting to get out of Regent Square only to be thrust into heavy traffic in Launceston and long queues at the Silverdome, we have finally brought some common sense to the day.

With the introduction of Targafest on the Friday night we have firstly removed the need to travel through the Launceston CBD on the way to George Town. The best bit comes after you have completed the stage!  We have negotiated with the council and our major sponsor, Temco to conduct the presentations along with all other awards at the completion of the event.

What this means is that you are free to return to the Silverdome as soon as you complete the Prologue (Yippee).  Naturally, you can still return to Regent Square to watch the other cars if you wish and you will be free to leave Regent Square at anytime if you choose to do this.

All competitors will be given the same `in’ time at the Silverdome that they must be at the control by, which will naturally be a time to ensure all cars are back in time for the opening of the Expo.

Results?  They will be awaiting your arrival back at HQ at the Silverdome.

This change will save everyone at least two hours and some as much as four hours on top of the hour or two saved earlier in the day.Event Sponsor Logo's StreamlinedWe got rid of the ugly white patches this year and the cars looked a whole lot better.  We also understand the need to ensure that each competitor has ample opportunity to obtain and display his/her own sponsors.

With this in mind, we are happy to announce that in 2008, all event sponsors will be incorporated into the Door Panels, which will leave the remainder of each side of the car FREE for you promote your sponsors.

The window banners will remain but those of you in Classic have an opportunity to display your own sponsor if it is worth your while.  (refer article in this E-News)

We hope in making this change that it will enable you to better fund your event whilst ensuring a premium presentation of all Targa cars.Streamlining ContinuesAs we continue to look at ways to make Targa easier for competitors, opportunities present themselves to achieve this goal.

In recent years, we have used three venues in Launceston to achieve our goals there so with us now based there for six days, it was a great opportunity to see how we could make this easier for everyone including us!!

Enter the `complete’ home for Targa Tasmania.  Yes, in 2008 we will put it all under one roof at the Silverdome! Scrutineering & Documentation will return to the Silverdome to save the trip to Symmons Plains.  Added to this, we will relocate HQ to the Silverdome also so that all your needs are met at a single venue.

Results boards, function tickets, enquiries and the CRO’s will all be based there so that when you leave and arrive at the Dome you will be able to organise everything you need without going to the Country Club.

This is sure to please every competitor!!Windscreen Banner Buy BackAfter much interest was shown by competitors in buying back their window banner space in a recent survey, we have successfully negotiated with Shannons to allow a limited amount of Classic competitors to buy back their space.

All requests for this will need to be approved and spots are STRICTLY LIMITED.  The buyback price is $495 inclusive of GST and to apply for this exemption simply e-mail your request to kylie.benson@octagon.com complete with payment method and details.

On approval, you will be sent a Tax Invoice and receipt along with written confirmation approving the use of a non-Shannons window banner.

We are hoping to have news on the other competitions in the near future.Expo & TargafestThe Silverdome will rock on one night only next year.  The Expo will be ramped up and held as a one night only affair after Prologue to ensure a large crowd with plenty of atmosphere.  It will be the perfect chance to show your sponsors around as the event builds toward the start the next day.

The change is due in part to the introduction of a street festival in the Launceston CBD on the Friday night.  Called Targafest, this event will bring Targa right in to the city and promises to be a fantastic farewell before the field head to Strahan the next morning.

More details to come in the months ahead

Schedule MONDAY 18 FEBClose of Applications

THURSDAY 18 MARCHClose of Entries

FRIDAY 11 APRILEvent Administration opens at Country Club Villas, Launceston

SUNDAY 13 APRIL - Overnight LauncestonArrival of Spirit of Tasmania into DevonportKids Kick Start Targa Disability RidesDocumentation & Scrutiny CommencesPure Tasmania Welcome Party at Country Club

MONDAY 14 APRIL - Overnight LauncestonDocumentation & Scrutiny continuesWelcome Lunch for Targa TourInternational Safety Briefing Tour BriefingFirst Timers SessionFinal Entry List Posted Provisional List of Classes PostedApplications for In Car Camera Close

TUESDAY 15 APRIL- Overnight LauncestonCompulsory Competitor BriefingCompulsory Rookie BriefingTemco Prologue at George TownTemco Morning Tea for TourTeam & Family nominations close Provision List of Classes posted

WEDNESDAY 16 APRIL- Overnight Launceston Official Start at Country Club Leg 1: Launceston to Sheffield to Launceston

THURSDAY 17 APRIL- Overnight Launceston Leg 2: Launceston to St Helens to LauncestonRookie Rallye Gala Finish at Silverdome

FRIDAY 18 APRIL - Overnight Launceston Leg 3: Launceston to Devonport to Launceston Vintage Rallye Finish at Targafest

SATURDAY 19 APRIL - Overnight StrahanLeg 4: Launceston to Burnie to Strahan

SUNDAY 20 APRIL - Overnight HobartLeg 5: Strahan to New Norfolk to HobartPublicity Finish at Wrest Point Wrest Point Finish BBQPost Event ScrutinyPosting of provisional results

MONDAY 21 APRIL- Overnight Hobart Trophy Presentation Brunch Trophy CollectionCelebration DinnerSpirit of Tasmania Departs from Devonport

TUESDAY 22 APRILHeadquarters returns to 136 Davey StreetSpirit of Tasmania Depart from Devonport

WEDNESDAY 23 APRILApplication for 2009 Open