“Molly” the 1963 Austin Mini Cooper S on stage

Introduction to the Targa scene

The first Targa Florio was started in the 1900's, and was run on the island of Sicily as a road race. So what does Targa mean, the Italian defitition is a plate or crest. The event was special, as the cars did not compete one against the other but competed time against time, with cars being started in intervals.

In 1990, the concept was re-developed in the Australian island state of Tasmania and the “Targa Tasmania”. In 1994, New Zealand followed with its own “Targa New Zealand”.

The model for Targa Newfoundland is Targa Tasmania, an international event owned and operated by Octagon Motorsports that attracts (on an invitational basis) over 250 entrants. Targa Newfoundland has become one of the “must do” events for motorsport enthusiasts. It is a 2200 km event with some 500 km of competition stages and 1700 km of transit between stages.

Newfoundland is one of the only locations in North America which can offer the roads, the challenges, and the beauty necessary to host this event. Targa Newfoundland is the only event of its kind in North America and the event attracts an international field of competitors and media from all across the globe.
Unlike most events involving motor vehicles, Targa Newfoundland runs directly in front of the public who can watch the event from selected areas at no charge. It is major entertainment for each of the communities through which it passes. In turn, each of these communities have the opportunity to stage their own events around Targa Newfoundland that will attract people to their community from the surrounding areas of Newfoundland.



Targa Newfoundland is the first and only event of its kind to be held in North America. It is an annual event and forms a 2200 km long, high quality automotive adventure. It is held over a seven-day period in September of each year on the paved roads of the eastern and central parts of the island of Newfoundland.
The event allows the owners of historic, classic and modern sporting motor vehicles to drive them the way they were designed to be driven. In the event each vehicle competes against itself on a handicap basis as well as against other vehicles. The competition is for Targa plates which every competitor can win. There is no prize money.

The vehicles and crews compete on public roads in transit sections which follow all of the rules of the road and "Targa" or speed sections which are held on roads closed to the general public. The Targa sections represent about 25% or the total course.

TARGA NEWFOUNDLAND OBJECTIVES:

• To organize and conduct a unique, world standard and seriously challenging International Motorsport competition on the paved roads of the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
• To bring together the exclusive fields of Sports, Grand Touring, Classic, Historic and other cars of distinction that represent the evolution of the sporting automobile from 1900 to the present.
• To ensure that all involved in the staging of the event derive optimum satisfaction and enjoyment from their participation.

In September three cars were entered by the Brick N' Brute Racing, a 1953 Austin Healey 100, 1959 Austin Mini and a 1963 Mini Cooper S.

It's the Cooper S which is featured that has the name “Molly” the engine had been bored out to bring it up to 1360cc, with a compression ratio of 10.5 to 1 and with twin HS4 SUs carbs. Transmission was a standard gearbox but had straight cut gears, which was available as a factory option, with a 3.44 to 1 final drive. Wheels were 10 inch shod with Yokohama A032R tyres.

A Novice (to Targa) entry Dyrk & Terry did very well at maintaining consistently high finishes on stages.  The Novice (to Targa) service crew worked hard to maintain and support a working car.

Co-Driver Terry Milnes and Driver Dyrk Bolger, both of Manitoba

Driver Dyrk Bolger and Co-Driver Terry Milnes of Manitoba, Crew Chief Andy Nelson, Crew Rachel Nelson, Rick Higgs, Elaine Higgs all of British Columbia.

Here is “Molly” waiting (as a late starter) on the Burrin Peninsula with the factory backed Subaru entry in the Unlimited Class.  “Molly” finished 3rd Overall, the Subaru 8th Overall.

Crew from left Rick Higgs, Andy Nelson, Elaine Higgs, Rachel Nelson
all of British Columbia.


The other Austin cars were



1959 Austin Mini "Betty"
Driver:- Richard Paterson
Co-Driver:- Tony Matison

Targa entry 204 the Richard Patterson/Tony Mattson crewed 1959 Austin Mini “Betty” finished 47th overall after losing the engine during Leg 2 and being transported 180 miles to have a replacement engine (Molly’s spare engine) installed at St. John’s before rejoining the event.
 

  

1953 Austin Healey 100
Driver:- Michael Salter
Co-Driver:- Michael Orittl

Targa entry 201 - the Michael Salter/Michael Oritt crewed 1953 Austin Healey “12” finished 44th overall after falling out with a broken axle after Leg 2 for repairs before rejoining the event.

The story so far…………….

My Wife Tracey and I began our association with Austin before we were married. In 1979 I bought an A30 Panelvan for the princely sum of $150.00 and gave it to Tracey as a gift. This was her only mode of transport for some time. (7 years)

There was no A30 Car club at that time so in 1979 we joined the A40 Car club, attending outings and drives etc and having a ball. I soon discovered that one of the prettiest cars in the range was the Dorset Tourer.

At the time I was a member of the Victoria Police and in the course of my duties I got to see a lot of backyards and sheds. One wet and cold Sunday I found an A40 Tourer in a shed along with a number of other long idle cars. It was still owned by the original owner and was in reasonable order. I asked the owner if he would sell and he declined.

I kept touch for the next 22 years occasionally asking if he had changed his mind. Eventually in 2002 he acquiesced and I bought the car. I immediately put it on permit and drove it for a couple of club runs in the Wimmera but it was obvious that time had taken its toll and the engine need a rebuild and the brakes were very average.

In the mean time I had restored the A30 Van and had used it every day for 3 years as a delivery van for my Newsagency that we had entered after leaving the Constabulary. It never let me down and was a talking point around the town.

I had a 2 Door A30 which found its way on to the race track. I took it out at Calder and Winton Raceways. Not very competitive but 75 MPH in an A 30 is terrifying.

Since then I have renewed the engine and gearbox in the Tourer, rebuilt the brakes, rebushed the suspension and collected a lot of bits for its eventual resto.

Upon moving to Horsham I purchased a 1963 Austin Fore Truck, quite by accident. I was at a clearing sale and popped in an opening bid of $500. and soon realized that it was the only bid. It is now restored and is registered as a working fire appliance. It is still earning its keep each summer and most of my neibouring farms have used it at some time or other.

Since then I have bought a lovely 1800 Ute and have been given 2 sedans. Haven’t had any time to spend on the Ute but it only needs an Interior

A couple of weeks ago I decided to bite the bullet and get down to tin tacks and restore the A40. I cleared our outdoor eating area, the only paved ground on the farm, and propped the car in the middle. As we speak I have just finished removing the front end in one piece. I hope all my labels and bags are correct because it is quite a jigsaw puzzle. So far I am amazed at how little rust the car has. I have only found two spots, each the size of a 10 cents piece. One can only hope the rest of the car is as good.

After fighting with 60 year old bolts I tried a new product by Loctite which instantly chills the bolt to -43C and after letting it warm up the bolt is reasonably free. I prefer this to heating as the heating affects the metal around the bolt and any paint that is on the panel.

I am now working on the offside rear guard with one bolt stubbornly refusing to budge. Emma, my daughter has just come in from painting and called “smoko” so that is the story so far………more to come.

Lachlan Story