I don't expect I'll ever actually do it, but the Targa Newfoundland is #1 on my bucket list. For now, I'll continue to live vicariously through the adventures of the event's MINI drivers. It's not an easy event to follow in real time from a distance since there's not a lot of press or publicity, but I'll see what I can do. This is a little late since registration was Saturday and the first scored legs have already run. I'll post info as I find it. To start, here are a couple informative articles for those who haven't heard of it. The first is written by Jim Kenzie who runs a MINI and has won on several occasions including last year. Targa Newfoundland reaches tenth birthday (wheels.ca) 2011 Targa Newfoundland - 10 years of rallying across the Island (oyetimes.com) Also check out Alain Lauziere's announcement from last week.
Its "Jim Kenzie" that drives the Challenge MINI for Targa (he is also an automotive journalist here in the GWN"...I have sat in this car and had the pleasure of getting a ride in it and its one of the most awe inspiring experiences I have had. JIM is a great guy and an even better driver as his Targa record will show. It doeesnt get enough coverage...it deserves more
Jim Kenzie, of course, not Kim Kensie. I manage to misspell his name fairly often...keep calling him Jim McKenzie for some reason.
Looks like Jim Kenzie (spelled it right this time I think...) had a significant (game ending?) problem today. I've been looking for substantive details before posting but as I can't find any... Checking the Open Class scoring, he was down 10 seconds after 5 of 6 stages but he's now listed at the bottom of the chart with no position number and a big fat DNS for stage 6 and DNF overall. Here's the chart. Comments from his blog after yesterday's Prologue may hint at the issue: There are no Minis running in the Classic Class. There are 3 MINIs running the Modern Class, all have lost some time but none are far back. 2 MINIs, including a Countryman, are doing even better in Grand Touring.
I actually went to the race and fixed a MINI for a customer there last year. This year was no less eventful. 3 weeks ago the #373 MINI had a blown engine, We put a mild WMW motor in it and got it back to the customer. Obviously with the recent failure he had and last years poor performance all the last minute stress seemed to be getting to him and his family. But today I'm happy to report I got a phone call from him with nothing but excitement telling "holy crap I this has power, I can now get up the hills" Then his family was in the background just excited as could be, It's so great to see it all finally come together and having fun, but the icing on the cake is he is actually in the top 10 today, a far cry from being the back marker like last year. I'm cheering for them.
I think that would be this guy. He's 9th in Modern at the moment after zeroing his first stage this morning.
Bummer, 1 MINI down. Here's Jim Kenzie's unfortunate update: Targa Newfoundland 2011: it's a big - 30 - for us...
I didn't know if the car noticed you tampering with the electrical it could lock you out. How do folks do tunes in that case? :confused5: Jim
MINIs are still running, in fact one of them is one of only four cars that have zeroed every stage so far! Grand Touring Modern