Targa High Country 2016 - Day 3
What a pleasant surprise. We awake to find a winter wonderland outside our window at Mt Buller with 4 inches of snow blanketing the Shelby GT. An unseasonal snow storm increases the day three nerves and anticipation - a new challenge for crews to face. Thankfully as we transported down from the Mt Buller summit the snow gradually disappeared and turned into rain and fog.
The first stage, starting half way down Mt Buller, is Mirimbah - a repeat from the previous days. With the Shelby set in snow mode ahead of icy conditions it performed surprisingly well, keeping it smooth and straight, gradually feeding the power needed to get through the stage safely. The biggest test of the event was to come next. The longest stage, Jamison, sees crews rally for 40km down the Jamieson-Eildon Road in the picturesque Lake Eildon Conservation Park. That is 25 pages of pace notes!
It is a long stage with a mix of many tight twisty corners and hairpins and a fast section in the middle. You need your wits about you for this long downhill stage. Unfortunately we didn't have the correct settings dialled into the Shelby, still running a wet weather suspension set up and tyre pressures on what was a dry stage. We unfortunately lost 9 seconds to our closest rival Steven Johnson, only just holding onto 3rd place by 2 seconds.
With one more stage before lunch we adjusted the suspension, softening it a little and dropping the tyre pressures back to optimal, and the car felt a lot more rewarding to drive. The Devils River stage is another signature Targa stage with amazing valley views as you rally over a spur into the town of Eildon. We thought we had done enough, but alas Steven Johnson had other ideas and pulled out a blinder of a stage, enough to now pinch 3rd place, being 3 seconds up at lunch break.
We had a lovely picnic lunch with all the Targa crews on the banks of the Lake Eildon, with the sun now shining. A real battle for a podium finish was weighing on our shoulders, and we now had to push hard this afternoon and use all the horsepower & rubber we had left! Fourth was not where we wanted to be!
On the Skyline stage (Devils River reverse) we thought we had rallied a blinder but it wasn't enough, with Johnson still gaining 4 more seconds on us, extending his lead to 7 seconds. With one more long 40km hill climb stage - Eildon - back up the Jamieson-Eildon road in reverse we knew this was our final shot at a podium place - give it all or nothing! A stage of this length is where rallies are won or lost. He who manages tyres, heat and endurance will come out on top.
We pushed hard, feeling the limits, overtaking two cars and drifting the final five kilometres as our tyres were going off. It felt like a strong stage, 26 seconds faster then last year's attempt. Was it enough?.... Kate checked the times on the internet and, with great relief, said "Craig you legend... We have just won the stage outright. What a blinder." We had just gained 36 seconds on Johnson and were back into 3rd place with a 25 second buffer - sighs of relief.
One more run up Mt Buller was to follow. Now dry and excited to see the end in sight, we enjoyed the final stage which is so iconic to the event and location. You pinch yourself at the end after experiencing this beautiful alpine road with its switch-backs and challenging sweeping linking corners winding its way up to the summit. We came across an Evo which had just had a spin, now facing the wrong way mid road, just making it around them safely. Proving there is never a dull moment in Targa and it isn't over until it's over. We crossed the final stage finish line sideways at the clock tower. We had done enough to keep 3rd and share in the champagne shower with event winners Matt Close and Cameron Reeves in their Porsche GT3 and in second Mike Pritchard and Nathan Walker in their Dodge Viper. Ain't no mountain high enough for us!
Big thanks to our crew Matthew Dean and Ranu from Mustang Motorsport and Crossover Car Conversions for keeping us on the straight and narrow. Big shout out also to our sponsors who support our race efforts. Please shop there!
Cya at the next event which will be Great Tarmac Rally in Marysville a Victoria December 10th.
A big 'Thank You' to Angryman Photography for their great action shots throughout the event!
