Blues travellers are on a mission for the Targa Florio

IT’S 1,200 kilometres to Melbourne, they’ve got a full tank of gas, no cigarettes, it’s dark… and they’re wearing sunglasses.
Brendan Edgerton’s famous Holden “The Bullet” is rolling out as the Bluesmobile for the Targa Florio Australian Tribute, and the Torquay driving enthusiast has signed up fellow motoring fan Martin Duke so the pair can enter the 2020 edition of the race as the Blues Brothers.
Mr Edgerton has owned the VN Commodore for 10 years – he originally paid $150 at a wrecking yard for it – but like its cinematic counterpart, the Bluesmobile has incredible endurance, as Mr Edgerton has done four laps of Australia in it as well as a 300-day journey around the world.
The Targa Florio Australian Tribute is starting in Torquay for the first time, and begins at Point Danger on November 14.
The timed race features a big field of classic cars. It takes place over four days, with stages finishing at Philip Island and the Yarra Valley, and includes 70 time trials.
Mr Edgerton said he and Mr Duke would be competing in the supercar class against the likes of Maseratis, Lamborghinis and Ferraris “but we are determined to win”.
“It’s not about speed, it’s about consistency and holding your speed.”
Mr Duke has been involved in the Targa Florio Australian Tribute in his capacity as a Surf Coast Shire councillor for the past three years, but said
he decided to “get his wallet out and enter
this year”.
The pair are also supporting two charities – Moira Kelly’s Creating Hope Foundation and the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
For more information on the Targa Florio Australian Tribute, head to targaflorioaus.com.