Infectious bug Targa Tasmania

That includes Queenslander Graham Copeland, who is lining up next month for his 10th entry in Australia's crucial tarmac rally.

Copeland once won his Classic class in the Targa and finished on the podium four times in the overall Classic category driving various cars.

He has driven Triumph TR4s and TR8s and most recently switched to a Datsun, but this year there is a different problem.

“I was hoping to get behind the wheel of my 1938 Dodge Speedster, but now I have to wait until 2009,” he said.

"This year I will be co-driver of the rare Bizzarini GT America."

Copeland will sit next to successful circuit racing star Wayne Park, who has won numerous Queensland and Australian championships and raced in the Bathurst 1000 four times, finishing fifth as his best finish.

“I find Targa to be highly addictive,” Copeland said.

“I'm really looking forward to teaming up with him, Wayne, this year. Targa is unlike any other event.

“The roads are incredible, the organizers are doing an amazing job and the audience is very supportive of the event. Targa is the most fun way to dress up."

The 1967 Bizzarini is a valuable car that is sure to generate huge audience interest.

Thanks to upgraded dampers and a bit of tweaking and tweaking by Brisbane Park's car business, the car is now a real contender in the Classic class.

"The Bizzarini GT America is a very rare car and it's even rarer to see one of these in full competition at events like the Targa," Copeland said.

“But the owner of the car, Rob Sherrard, believes in using them for their intended purpose, and not wrapping them in fabric in some museum.”

Featuring dozens of exotic cars, the 17th Targa Tasmania kicks off on April 15 with a record 305 entrants at some of the nation's top rally tracks, followed by a grand finish at Wrest Point on April 20.