Co-Drivers

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Co-Drivers

The Targa Co-Driver is an important part of the competing crew and not merely a passenger. A competent and confident co-driver can improve a driver’s stage time considerably by giving clear, concise instructions at the right time.

If you think of co-driving in one of our events, have a look at the following comments and advises from former co-drivers to see what the role takes from you!

Navigate first in a couple of closed club trials to help you check your ability to read instructions and concentrate on your task without looking at the road. If you get squeamish at trialling speeds it is going to be three times worse at rallying speed!

The next requirement is a driver whom you have confidence in and who does not spend more time on his roof than on the road! You are not going to do a very good job of route finding if you are watching him and the road and thinking at every corner, “we were lucky to get around that one!”.

If you have got this far then you have obviously joined a car club (Club Targa Inc is a MSNZ affiliated Club) and possess the MSNZ Manual. Read Appendix 3, Schedule R (Rallies), then read it again and again and if there is anything in it that you do not understand – ask someone who does – make quite sure you know what it is all about. It is no use playing the game unless you know the rules!

It is a good idea to enter a Closed Club Event to help you learn your trade – this entails being your drivers business manager, making sure the entry form is filled out fully and correctly and in due time. You do not want to start in a flap in your first event.

When it is time to start making very sure of your route finding on the touring stage, it is very easy to go off course in built up areas. Okay; you are at the start of your special stage, helmet on, start sheet signed, route book open at the correct stage, Halda / Brantz meter zeroed, stop watch in hand (of course you are going to check the organizer’s timing) and away you go! Give your driver at least a 500m warning of your instructions. If it is an intersection make sure you let him know which way he has to go – this is up to the driver and co-driver how they describe angles of roads to one another. You should be finishing your instruction when the warning arrow appears, ie: the 100 meter arrow. As you carry out each instruction, zero your Halda / Brantz meter’s intermediate distance and cross out the instruction in your route book. Besides reading the instructions, keep an eye on any road signs as these properly interpreted can be a big help to the driver – also watch all the dash gauges, the driver is usually too busy to look at them!

At the end of the special stage (flying finish flag), stop your watch. Then you can compare your time with the official time at the finish control. Check the Marshal has written your finish time correctly and you are on your way again!

Repeat this again approximately half a dozen times when you have completed your first Targa Event. If you have caught the bug there will not be enough weekends in the year!

A few DO’s and DON’Ts

DO remember to bring your driver licence, competition licence, club membership card, driver declaration form, helmet, overalls, first aid kit, etc. Your helmet must comply with various safety standards, and this is indicated by a number in the base of the hat. Consult the MSNZ Manual for the correct safety standards.

DON’T practice on public roads, or generally race around the streets - you could bring the sport into disrepute and it is dangerous. Save it for Targa!

Please contact us at info@targa.co.nz to show your interest in Co-Driving!