Targa Tasmania

[nik]

G'day all.....I'm looking at running an HF2400 in Targa Tasmania in Australia in 2004.
The organisers are not keen on having a replica running in their precious event, so I am trying to find out if they have ever allowed a Stratos or replica to run.

I would appreciate any info. Well wishers also welcome.

Thanks

Nik

[Stratos]

Nik,

Mark Chapman competed in the 2002 World Cup Rally in his Stratos Replica. The event was organised by Philip Young, who organises many of the endurance and classic rallies, and he was very keen to have Mark run in the event, and compete on future events.

I'm sure Guy or someone will relate the tales of the Pirelli Classic Marathon - the first car on the road was an Alitalia liveried Stratos Replica. Look in the photo gallery for a picture of it on Tower Bridge.

[rutthenut]

Originally posted by nik
The organisers are not keen on having a replica running in their precious event, so I am trying to find out if they have ever allowed a Stratos or replica to run.

I seem to recall seeing pictures of a Stratos - which I thought was a replica - in one of the Antipodean events of this sort. All I can remember is that it was red! And it is on a web site somewhere!!!

I'll have to rack my brains to think of where I saw it, probably from Classic & Sportscar magazine, which sent me off to the web site. In fact, I may well have mentioned it in this forum, or perhaps the Yahoo US forum that was in use at the time.

And all the best in your ventures...

[rutthenut]

The following register has some information for you

http://www.hermes.net.au/stratos/owners.htm

This has Phil Feather's original Stratos in the Targa Tasmania, which doesn't help you much in running a replica. But as that's a blue car, I'll still need to work out what the red car was, who was driving it and in what event.

It might well have been Bill Brandt's car, which is also on the page.

A list of events that register members have attended is at http://www.hermes.net.au/stratos/events.htm so I don't know if that will help further your cause at all.

TTFN

[Andrew Way]

John,

your right, I remember seeing a picture of a red stratos in an event down under. From memory the photo was taken at a funny angle but I couldn't work out if it was a replica.

Andrew

[Andrew Way]

It was the classic adelaide....

http://www.classicadelaide.com.au/phtotogallery.asp

this isn't the picture I was thinking of but it is the same car, a 1972 model? It must be a very special prototype! Right hand drive too!!!

Andrew.

[rutthenut]

That was the event, and the car, that I remembered. Cheers.

No idea if that will be of any use in getting entry to the Targa Tasmania though!!!

[nik]

Thanks all for your efforts

In the Aussie Stratos register site (hermes), I read that only one original made it to Australia, that belonged to Ron Marks and is yellow.

Then I see pictures of Phill Eathers alleged original competing in targa Tas. in blue paint.

So something is not making sense...I"ve emailed Paul who runs the website to get to the bottom of this.

Thanks again

Nik Prieston

[OZStratos]

Hi all.
Ron Marks was the only Stratos to compete in Australia in the 1970's. He went to the factory and purchased a Factory Prepared Car from them. They did an article at the time in "Australian Sports Car World Quarterly" about the transaction. This appears in the book "Lancia Stratos 1972-1985" (Brooklands Books).

Phil Eather on the other hand purchased a real one (mid 80's I think) and converted it to RH Drive so that they would let him run it here. I think he did the first three Targas in it. Results were mixed at the time as he was lumped in with cars many years the Stratos' junior. Phil wasn't very happy about this and I do not think he has competed in the Targa since although he regularly does other events (and is a very successful peddler).

The car in the last few "Classic Adelaide's" belongs to Bill Brand. It is a replica and is fitted with a 308 Ferrari. Those replica club members that date back to year dot will know the car as belonging to Frank Cappo. I saw his name in some of the earlier mags from the CD (GREAT JOB ON THAT BY THE WAY)..

As to the Targa Tasmania - well what can I say - they have a huge field every year and charge bucket loads of money for entries. Thus they can be picky about who they let compete. However - if you do get the opportunity to run the event you will have a great time - the roads are awesome and the event is brilliant (I know a few that have competed in it) and let us know that you're coming well in advance.

Cheers
Paul Morton