Bott’s car number 703 has been fitted with a unique tracking device which will give real time stats on the team as they drive along the 2000 kilometre course from April 15 to 20.
“Anyone can track us during the event,” Bott said. “It will give a reading every 45 seconds and locate us on a map which can be found on our website. The tracking tag is the size of a small smoke detector and uses similar technology to that in a mobile phone. I’m sure it will be put through its paces as we travel through some of the remote terrain through Tasmania.”
The 58-year-old grandfather will be competing behind the wheel of his Jag after assisting Targa Tasmania for a number of years.
“In 1995 I was a CRO (Competitor Relations Officer) and last year I helped out with the media team,” he said. “This year I have taken the plunge and will be driving the Jag.”
The eye catching Jag is not just fighting for line honours in the Classic section, but is also on a mission to raise funds and awareness of the Oncology Children’s Foundation (OCF).
“I have a staff member who’s been affected by cancer, I’ve had friends pass away from the disease, and if any of my children or grandchildren got cancer it would just be awful to go through what so many families face. Cancer affects everyone and anyone.”
Bott and his co-driver, Brian Foster, are offering auctioning the bonnet of their Jag at the end of the event to raise funds for the OCF.
But it is a bonnet with a difference.
“During scrutineering we will be asking all the competitors to sign our bonnet, which we plan to auction at the end of the rally to raise money for the OCF,” he said.
Bott is looking forward to finally getting amongst the action, which will take a record breaking 300 cars along some of the best rally roads in Australia.
The 17th Targa not only includes the largest Classic car field in the country, it has also attracted competitors from Australia, the USA, UK, Scotland, Germany, UAE, New Zealand, Japan and Hong Kong.
“Targa Tasmania is a great event and we can’t wait for it to start. Our goal is to finish the event and get a Targa plate, but most of all we want to help out the OCF,” he added.
Targa Tasmania kicks into action on April 15 in Launceston in the north of Tasmania. The rally will tour the state and come to a grand ceremonial finish at Hobart’s Wrest Point on April 20.
Anyone wanting make a donation to the OCF can contact the team via their website: http://www.car703.com/
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