For the past 13 years some of the best tarmac rally racers from North America have traveled to Newfoundland to compete in the Targa rally that twists and winds its way over six days and 2,000 kilometers through some of the harshest and most scenic terrain that province has to offer. In the article below the Toyo Tires sponsored team of Michael Hiscott and Max Cline Abrahams talk about their past experience at Targa and their hopes for this year.
Six days of tarmac rally. 500 km+ of closed course stages. Some of the harshest driving surfaces in Canada coupled with breathtaking views of coastal Newfoundland. These are just a few ways of describing the annual Targa Newfoundland tarmac rally which enters its thirteenth year this September.
Having participated in three consecutive Targa NL rallies, simply completing the rally is a challenge in itself. For a couple of grassroots level motorsports enthusiasts like myself and Max, the event serves as a test of how two regular car guys can stand up against racers from across the world. It’s an opportunity to compete shoulder to shoulder with heavily funded commercially-backed race teams, and share our love of motorsport competition with one of the most closely knit racing communities in North America.
In the 2013 season, our team faced significant mechanical issues as we made the transition from a slower rear drive AE86 Corolla GTS to a faster, but more mechanically complex, AWD Lancer Evolution III.
Conditions were ideal as we suited up and entered the queue to run the first test and tune stage of the day. The course was dry, there was excellent visibility, and the test and tune route was familiar to us. It seemed like a great start to another memorable Targa – except this year we had a vehicle that had potential for a class win.
The car was tremendously quick in the straights, and was an absolute beast in the corners. As with many of the others in the field, we decided on the popular Toyo R1R, largely due to the exceptional wet performance the tire is known for. Having endured torrential rain during hurricanes in both 2011 and 2012, we knew wet grip was of the utmost importance.
We exited a tighter section of the course and prepared for the high speed blast to the finish. As we approached the second to last corner, however, it became obvious something was amiss. “You can take this section faster, don’t lift yet” Max bellowed over the comm system – but I wasn’t lifting. A quick glance at the gauge cluster revealed a pegged hot temperature gauge and low oil pressure. Nursing the car through the finish the sound of bottom end knock confirmed our worst fear - the engine was done.
Panic ensued as we had the car towed back to the shop. Unable to source a replacement drivetrain before the first competition stage the following morning, we were forced to think outside the box and revert back to the AE86 Toyota we had ran in 2011 and 2012. Our backup car was in storage, and had no safety equipment or suspension fitted.
Working tirelessly through the night, we managed to bring the Toyota up to racing spec. We slid just under the wire for the tech inspection cut-off time the next morning. We hadn’t slept.
Happily, our luck improved as the week progressed. After five days of intense competition, we managed a 3rd place podium finish in open class. After a stressful week of racing as the rally clued up on the scenic St. John’s water front, all we could think about was doing it all over again.
Join Michael and Max as they prepare to return to Targa on their Facebook page.
