Camden’s Smith family has signed up to compete in Australia’s ultimate tarmac rally, Targa Tasmania, which gets under way on April 15.

They will join over 300 competitors  from Australia, USA, UK, United Arab Emeritus, Japan and Hong Kong, in the iconic tarmac rally.

“It’s in our blood,” Peter Smith said, who will be driving his red 1958 Austin Healey Sprite MkI in his fifth Targa.

“My son Ashley will be navigating for me,” the father of two said. “We’ve only done a few other events together, but he’s doing very well and is great with the pace notes.”

Nineteen-year-old Ashley, who is currently studying a diploma in motorsport at Wodonga TAFE, has been brought up with the roaring engines of rally cars.

“Ashley was only 11 when he came down and watched me compete for the first time in Targa Tasmania,” the proud dad said. “We’re a rallying family. My wife does all of the bookings and we all really like Tasmania.”

The roads on the Apple Isle are legendary amongst the rally world, with Hellyer Gorge and Chethana being recognised internationally as some of the best rally roads in Australia.

“I do like the roads in Tasmania, they are a good challenge. I just wish we could control the weather down there.

“I remember that it snowed on the last day of competition when I was there once,” Smith laughed.

The father and son are expected to arrive early in the state for the April 15 start.

The family will be competing in the classic section of Targa Tasmania, the largest classic field in the country, with more than 110 entries.

The 17th anniversary of the event is expected to have a global audience, with a television special being filmed during the event.

The rally screams into action on April 15 in the state’s north and will take competitors through the heart of Tasmania to the Hobart finish line, at Wrest Point, on April 20