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The Otago Boys' High School Foundation

PO Box 11,
Dunedin, New Zealand

Tel +64 3 477 2546
Fax +64 3 477 5468

Tarmac tearing Targa

2/12/2008

* Martin Dippie (1979-83) recently spent an exciting six days tearing up tarmac between Auckland and Wellington in his 305kW Porsche GT3 RS as a first-time Targa New Zealand driver.

At the end of the event Martin noted he was not only pleased to finish in one piece but was also rapt to end up third in the modern two-wheel-drive class.

Martin Dippie holding his Porsche GT3 RS on the straight and narrow - just!

He dubbed his orange racing machine a technically challenging car to drive due to its ferocious specifications — 0 to 100kmh in 4.2secs and a 310kmh top speed. Not that he got to fully wind it up as the 35-stage endurance event specified harsh time penalties for any driver exceeding 200kmh.

The restriction meant he and his co-driver, Aucklander Greg Ball, only ever reached fourth gear, drove most of the Targa in third, the tight stuff in second and had to back off repeatedly. His final time of 6hr 36min 34sec was good enough for 14th overall.

Martin had co-driven for his brother, Allan, in four Targas — two in New Zealand and two in Australia — in a 1967 MGC, giving him an appreciation for the older models competing in the event.

‘‘I enjoy classic cars and it was just as interesting chatting to the guys with the old cars as it was those with the new,’’ he said.