TARMAC: Targa Tasmania - Tim Lynas spotlight

Veteran Targa Tasmania competitor, Tim Lynas, has given a thumbs-up to the Glenorchy night stage, believing it will be a great showcase for all the classic cars in the field.

Tim will be behind the wheel of his Ford Mustang taking on the special one kilometre stage on Thursday night, April 19.

"I'm very keen to have a go at the Hobart night stage. It should be a lot of fun."

The classics in the field are dear to the South Australian's heart. Since competitng in the very first Targa in 1992, he has raced a number of cars.

In the inagural Targa, Tim drove a 1990 Laser TX3 4WD, which he used until 1994 to achieve his Gold trophy.

In 1995, that car was banned from the competition. so he had to get his pride and joy out of the shed, a Cabriolet Porsche, which he drove that year.

"We built a hot little VW engine for it and put a roll cage into it. That year we had an engine fire just out of New Norfolk and didn't finish. Georgie Bevan towed us behind his Volvo to New Norfolk, and I swore I would never come back to Targa."

"To this day I still think about looking out the rear window of the 356 and seeing the flames licking up over the engine."

The classic cars certainly provide a challenge for the drivers and a spectacle for onlookers.

"You can go and buy a modern car and simply turn the key, but with a classic car we have to take spare gear boxes, spare diff centres and axles."

"But the more classic cars in Targa the better."

2007 will be Tim's eleventh Targa and he has already done a reconnaissance in the hope of an improved performance with his 1965 Ford Mustang.

"I've got a service crew saying, 'don't risk anything, but let's see what we can do'".

Tim said he's had a lot of fun in his Mustang, especially in the wet.

"It's a real handful. That's one of the great things about Targa, it presents so many challenges over the five days."

The Barossa Valley resident wouldn't have it any other way with his classic car in Targa Tasmania.

"Little did I know you'd have as much fun as you can with your pants on. It's a great event."

-credit: www.targatasmania.com.au