HDT 'Big Bangers' take on Targa Tasmania

Racing legend Peter Brock may be gone but the memory of him as a lover of road rallies will be revived this week as a pair of 1980s "Big Banger" look-alikes take on Australia's premier tarmac competition.

West Australian teammates Todd Zani and Paul Davies have entered a pair of almost identical HDT-spec VE Commodores -- both in the day-glow orange paintwork (but minus the now-banned tobacco advertising) that made the 1984 Bathurst winner so memorable.

Zani, a chartered accountant by day, is entering his second Targa Tasmania event after competing in a VU HSV Maloo last year. Loosely based on the VH Group Three HDT race car (thanks to the modern version of that model's road-going wheels and bodykit) Zani's car, number 969, is powered by a modified 6.0-litre V8 engine.

Meanwhile the car driven by Davies, a Perth-based Holden dealer, is meant to emulate the VK Group A and gets the modern version of those wheels and bodykit. The Davies car, number 948, has been rebuilt after crashing on day three of last year's event, and is powered by a 7.0-litre V8 engine.

Both vehicles took part in the Targa Tasmania shakedown run two days ago (Monday April 26) at Symmons Plains Raceway, just outside of Launceston, before yesterday's prologue (Tuesday April 27).

During the shakedown, Zani's car suffered a differential leak, which mysteriously fixed itself as quickly as it appeared, but the team was investigating a tailshaft issue last night.

"We've been working on it this afternoon and we're confident we'll get it right before the start of the event," Zani said.

"The VE obviously feels very different to drive compared to the Maloo last year but already I can tell it's going to be a quick car."

Davies was more conservative on the shakedown, keeping the runs to simple systems checks.

"I've roaded the tyres, bedded the brakes, now I'm just going to park it for the night. It's running really well," he said.

The owner of HDT, and the owner of the largest collection of Brock road and race cars, Peter Champion, was also on hand at Symmons Plains.

He was invited by event organisers to take Brock's black Targa Monaro -- the last one Brock drove in the event in 2004 -- for some hot laps.

"Mate this thing is absolutely awesome. No wonder Brock was so quick in the bloody thing. It's a missile and it just feels so planted on the road," Champion said.

Champion says staying involved at the grass roots levels of motorsport is continuing Brock's wish.

"This is all about keeping the HDT name out there for all the Brock fans and staying involved in motorsport in some way or another. Brock always said follow your dreams, and this is a bit of a dream for me."

Key to pics: Paul Davies, Todd Zani and Peter Champion (left to right); Davies leads the Carsales Skoda; Champion's Monaro ahead of Davies' Commodore; and Champion in the Monaro

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