Targa from the inside: BILL HAYES

Q: This will be your first time in the Octavia, what are you expecting?
A: I will be coming direct from the Rally of Malaysia so won't see the car in the flesh until the day of the event. I also know that this will not be an issue, Skoda is now a leading player in motorsport and in particular rallying. Having the car prepared by Performance Parts and Engineering ensures we will have a great package to start the event.

Q: Are road rallies like Targa Tasmania harder or easier to navigate than gravel stages?
A: This is my fourth visit to Targa and I love it. The average speeds are much higher than a gravel event but to be honest this makes my job a bit easier. I only have to read about half of the pace-notes in a Targa event compared to a tight and technical gravel event like here in Malaysia.

Q: How long does it take you to get 'in sync' with a part-time rally driver?
A: Hopefully by the first corner. All drivers are different and want different information at different times. My job is to adjust to their needs as quickly as possible without showing them I am nervous knowing they only rally a couple of times a year!! Mike and my preparation has been very good, however, and I know we will both be ready to go on the very first stage.

Q: You've rallied all over the world, does Targa present any special challenges?
A: Targa is a great event held over five long days. The biggest challenges are managing your tyre wear, as the rules only allow six tyres for the whole event compared to new ones every 50-80km on the gravel. Balancing a strategy around the unpredictable Tasmanian weather is also a special challenge.

Q: How do you adapt your style to suit a new driver?
A: This depends totally on the driver's experience. I normally sit with Alister Mcrae who has more experience than I have time to talk about, so my role with him is to ensure he gets all his information at EXACTLY the right time. Here my role is a high speed PA.
A part-time rally driver like Mike normally lacks the experience to correctly and consistently prepare the pace-notes so my role during reconnaissance involves helping them through this task. During the event I try to ensure they remain relaxed and have confidence in the information they are receiving from me about the road ahead. It takes a lot of mutual trust.

Q: Typically, how many corners ahead are you calling?
A: Again this depends on the driver but normally relates directly to their age rather than their experience. The older they get the less they remember! Normally drivers want the information one to three instructions ahead; this depends on the speed we are travelling and of course their age.

Q: Could a driver do Targa without pace notes?
A: They could but one of two things would happen. They would either be really slow or crash. Pretty much it is that simple.

Q: What's the worst part about being a navigator?
A: The preparation time. Conducting reconnaissance, checking and tidying pace notes and studying regulations occupies many days of my year.

Q: And the best part?
A: The satisfaction of helping a driver get the maximum from the car and himself. Rallying is a team sport and I love the enjoyment that a successful result brings the team, sponsors and supporters.

Q: Ever wanted to drive instead of calling the shots?
A: I started my rally career in the Driver's seat and still really enjoy driving fast cars. Although now days this is normally restricted to clients cars when conducting  driver training.
My rally driving career ended after three seasons that include three finishes in Rally Australia when the WRC was held in Perth. It took this long to realise I didn't have the ability or the funds.

Q: You must have a tremendous ability to trust; are you ever scared in a car?
A: Often... Especially when my wife drives.

Q: Have you ever been lost?
A: Yes, once... And it was difficult to ask someone for directions... We were in a small Chinese village and there is no chance of anyone speaking English.

Q: Have you ever thrown up in a rally car and, if so, who made you?
A: ...Touch wood, never in a rally car. In the back of a taxi once when I was 18 but there was alcohol involved.

Q: You co-drove with Mike on Targa in a Mini in 2007... 'fess up, is he any good?
A: Yes he was good on that outing but you are only as good as your last performance. People in rallying laugh at me when I say I am co-driving for a motoring journo. Their reputation is not the best, many seem to portray that they are at least as good as the professionals but never got the lucky break. I have had some scary moments sitting with some of them...
Mike Sinclair is an exception to the norm, not only is he a great guy and a very competent driver, he has no illusion of replacing Mark Webber or Sebastian Loeb. Although he would give it a good crack given the slightest opportunity.

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