Classic FJ Meets Hi-Tech

Photos by Luke Oxley

Almost every motoring enthusiast loves Targa Tasmania. It is one of the last events in Australia that truly captures the imagination of the public, with cars racing around a course made up of closed public roads.

Paul has entered the Tasmanian event three times now in his FJ Holden, and while mechanical problems have forced him out of the competition early each time, he is confident the cars issues have been sorted out for the future.

Despite the problems this year, Paul was still able to push the FJ along through the stages. In some cases he was easily able to post a time which would have put him in the top ten outright in the competition.

That means that this FJ, shod with road legal semi slick rally tyres, has put some much more fancied Lamborghini's, Porsche's and Mitsubishi Evo's to shame in stages on this years event. The age old adage of new is not always best ringing true once again.

Paul informs us that the FJ's race pace comes from its great road footprint for its size and short wheelbase, meaning that the car can keep a higher top speed up on the twisty roads.

Things are also helped by the fact that the custom made straight six motor is putting out an impressive 360hp at the wheels for only 1060kg of weight in the car.

Inside the FJ has everything that is needed for Targa competition. The passenger has room for storing notebooks and pens, while the driver has controls to adjust anti-roll bars and other settings from inside the cabin.

Behind the beautiful MOMO racing steering wheel sits a Motec racing display. It is a far cry from the original gauges the FJ was released with, but provide all the information on speed and timing that Paul needs as he races through the stages.

There is no room in the boot for bags in this FJ, instead you will find the FIA approved fuel cell with all the pumps and auxiliary equipment connected to it. The fuel cell itself helps bring the weight distribution on the car back into more friendly territory, with Paul informing us that with it fitted where it is the car is much more balanced.

So check out our exclusive video below to hear more about this beautiful FJ and how Paul's Targa campaign went this year.