Ashley talks to the experts to find out more about preparing a classic car for Targa, rallying and circuit racing.
Preparing a Targa car is a bit like determining the length of a piece of string. The variables are infinite, depending on budget, choice of car and so on. In this article we’ve focused on a classic car as the basis for a Targa car, providing some information that’ll help you make the right choices when building a car to compete in Targa events.
I’m no expert when it comes to building competition cars, so I contacted Paul Madeley, owner of Motorsport Fabrications, who is not only building a Porsche 944 Turbo for this year’s Dunlop Targa, but has years of experience and a wealth of knowledge when it comes to motor sport.
Selection
First item on the agenda is choosing the correct donor car. It may be an old favourite, such as an Escort, Fiat 124, BMW or Porsche, but take your time to ensure you buy the best you can afford. In other words, your chosen car needs to be structurally sound and straight, you don’t want to spend a large portion of your budget straightening chassis members, repairing rust or any other major issues just bringing the car up to scratch before you even begin. A good suggestion would be to stick with the type of drive-line you prefer, front or rear wheel drive, especially if this is your first attempt, as the car will be easier to drive without the expense associated with four-wheel drive vehicles.
Once you’ve purchased a suitable donor car it’s not a bad idea to sit down a break the project down into stages to determine exactly what you want to achieve. The two common denominators in building a car for Targa are safety and reliability. Remember, the Dunlop Targa NZ is a gruelling event comprising up to nine stages on each of the six days over some of the country’s most demanding and remote roads. So, safety and reliability are paramount when constructing a car for this event.
Caged
The roll-cage will be one of the most important items in the car. It not only provides you and your co-driver with a secure barrier in the event of any accident or roll-over, but it should also assist in stiffening the car, resulting in better handling. The roll-cage should be strong in itself, without relying on any of the car’s body for that strength.
When constructing the cage from either chrome-moly or roll-cage quality tube, it has to include a main hoop, lateral bars and back stays, but should also include such features as side and wheel intrusion bars for total safety. When designing the cage several factors such as suspension and engine location, seating position, fuel tank, and even spare wheel location should be taken into account as basically all these things are mounted from it in one place or another. Also entry into and exit from the car should be made as easy as possible, with the layout of any door bars and comfort with the seating position identified prior to the cage being designed, as well as visibility with the position of screen bars etc within the parameters of the rules. Only a certified person should weld the cage.
Travel
Suspension options are endless, but plan to spend as much as you can afford on suspension components because they are what keep your wheels on the ground. The car doesn’t want to sit too high – or too low for that matter, as ground clearance is an important consideration when setting up a car for any tarmac rallying event.
The same philosophy should also be applied when selecting a brake package for the project. Choose the very best you can afford.
In most cases the most expensive exercise will undoubtedly be the engine and gearbox. Again, it’s entirely an individual choice depending on budget and how much power you ultimately want. Make sure that all necessary ‘serviceable’ components are easily accessible. The service stops allocated during Targa don’t provide an abundance of time, and there is virtually no time between stages, so consider making your service crew’s life easy. Remember, reliability over performance is the key to competing in Targa.
Another thing to remember, if you decide to fabricate a new exhaust system, and chances are you probably will, make sure it’s tucked up close to the underside of the car, is easily removable, and not too noisy. The last thing you want is a constant deafening drone for days on end.
In terms of gearbox selection, again reliability is the key ingredient, but also you’ll make thousands of changes during the event so a top quality synchromesh ’box is a very useful item. Gearboxes take a real hammering during a Targa event, so ensure that whatever you use is in good operational condition.
If possible put your car on a diet, as a light and modestly-powered car is far less taxing to drive than a heavy, high-powered car.
Targa is not about fronting up with the most power; good torque and drivability is equally important. In other words, all your effort shouldn’t be concentrated on trying to control the car, it’s more important to be looking at what’s ahead of you, and listening to your co-driver’s instructions.
Comfort
There are several items inside the cabin to carefully consider when building a car for such an event as Targa. Firstly, make sure you select a seat that not only complies with all safety regulations, but is mounted to provided maximum comfort and safety for both you and your co-driver. The safety harnesses also need to be the best you can afford, and Paul reckons you should try and get the widest strap possible, as it will provide extra comfort during those long days in the cabin.
Choose instruments that are clear and easily read at a glance. Keep the cluster simple and uncomplicated and make sure dials are located in a position where you can see them easily. The same applies to the co-driver’s instrumentation.
Another good point to remember, Dunlop is the major sponsor and its tyres must be used, so when selecting wheels make sure there is a suitable Dunlop tyre available.
There are a few other things – such as good heating and ventilation – to consider also. While they may not sound important they can make life just that little bit easier whilst concentration, nerves and adrenaline are all working furiously together. One minute you can be starting a stage in a mild to heavy snowstorm, only to finish in brilliant sunshine, so you don’t want to be in a position where a fogged up windscreen is causing unnecessary problems. Also consider investing in a good set of windscreen wiper blades and make sure your head and taillights are working efficiently. Again, it’s all about preparation, and it’s often the little things that can let you down and cost valuable seconds when you least expect it.
Enjoy
Building a suitable car for the Dunlop Targa is very much up to the individual in regards to their taste in car, budget, and what they want to achieve from the event. In many cases teams enter for the camaraderie as much as the competition and are happy just to enjoy the event as opposed to those more serious competitors, who are focused on winning their particular class.
For more photos and full specifications, visit the Classic Car website.
Words: Ashley Webb Photos: Adam Croy