Speed News vol. 1 Issue 4-May : Page 44
DREAMING THE TARGA CALIFORNIA BRINGS GREAT CARS TO GREAT ROADS CALIFORNIA C bills himself as the Chief Disorganizer of the event, but to the folks enjoying — Story By John Lindsey the Targa, it’s anything but Photos by Sam Rhoades disorganized. This year’s alifornia is known for to gearheads, a wide selection event was dedicated to the plenty of remarkable and of amazing, twisty roads. memory of Lisa Gregory unique characteristics. Targa California is a Jacobson, a lifelong Porsche High taxes, strange motoring tour of the Golden enthusiast who lost her politics and Kardashians State’s best roads that battle with cancer in 2011. are among the low was created in 2009 by Not surprisingly, of the points. But the state is storied Porsche wrench 110 cars entered in the 2012 also blessed with some of and longtime racing event, the biggest contingent the world’s most beautiful impresario Dave Bouzaglou were Porsches with more scenery and, most importantly of TRE Motorsports. Dave than 60 Stuttgart specials 44
California Dreaming
John Lindsey
The Targa California Brings Great Cars to great Roads<br /> <br /> California is known for plenty of remarkable and unique characteristics. High taxes, strange politics and Kardashians are among the low points. But the state is also blessed with some of the world’s most beautiful scenery and, most importantly to gearheads, a wide selection of amazing, twisty roads.<br /> <br /> Targa California is a motoring tour of the Golden State’s best roads that was created in 2009 by storied Porsche wrench and longtime racing impresario Dave Bouzaglou of TRE Motorsports. Dave bills himself as the Chief Disorganizer of the event, but to the folks enjoying the Targa, it’s anything but disorganized. This year’s event was dedicated to the memory of Lisa Gregory Jacobson, a lifelong Porsche enthusiast who lost her battle with cancer in 2011. <br /> <br /> Not surprisingly, of the 110 cars entered in the 2012 event, the biggest contingent were Porsches with more than 60 Stuttgart specials attending. The oil-cooled wonders were accompanied by a very diverse field that included a gaggle of vintage Alfa Romeos, BMWs and Lotuses; a pair of E-Type Jags; and even some Detroit iron, including a cherry 1969 Camaro Z/28, a Carrera Panamericana-style 1951 Chevrolet, and a 1965 Pontiac Tempest 4-door done up as a GTO tribute.<br /> <br /> The event began on Thursday morning, April 12, in Thousand Oaks and started off with a quick jaunt through the hills to Mike Taggart’s private car collection in Ojai, where drivers were able to enjoy a stunning display of rare Jaguars, Shelbys, and a retrospective of racing motorcycles.<br /> <br /> From there, some of the entrants took to the inland mountain roads to reach the evening’s destination of Paso Robles, but a great deal toured to Buttonwillow Raceway Park where track President Les Phillips opened the circuit for lunchtime laps to give the drivers a small taste of the challenging course. The track stalwarts then tackled Parkfield Grade, which was turned into a bit of a mud bog by torrential rains, but the field pressed on regardless despite slippery conditions and some bovine chicanes. The self-wash behind the event headquarters hotel did a record business on Thursday evening as dozens of cars lined up to rid themselves of a metric ton of Parkfield’s finest slop.<br /> <br /> Friday’s drive also featured a selection of multiple routes for drivers to choose from, with a lunch stop at the famed Baja Cantina just down the road from Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Carmel Valley. The route back to the headquarters hotel gave drivers a choice of navigating the challenging Naciemento-Fergusson Road through Fort Hunter-Liggett or taking a crack at Highway G16 and some other twisties through the farmland alongside U.S. 101.<br /> <br /> The final day of the event featured a hidden jewel in State Highway 229, which at first glance appears to be someone’s driveway because it is so narrow that it doesn’t even sport a center line This roller coaster led to more B roads running through the countryside near Cholame, the spot where James Dean met his end in his Porsche 550 Spyder.<br /> <br /> Targa California finished with a visit to the Estrella Warbird Museum and the Woodland Car Collection where the entrants lined up on the tarmac next to retired birds of prey and enjoyed a final meal and bench racing session. Where will the Targa go next year? Stay tuned to www.targacalifornia.com to find out. You can also visit www.petrolicious.com after May 15 to see a video chronicling the event . SN<br />
Publication List
Using a screen reader? Click Here