LAST time Andrew Miedecke's 1970 Ford Capri Perana entered Targa Tasmania it gained national attention.
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The vehicle became famous during the 2012 Wrest Point leg as quick-fingered photographers captured its swan dive off-road and into the Derwent River.
More than 1.2 million views on YouTube later, the V8 classic is repaired, tested and tipped as a favourite in this year's early classic category.
A week ago the Port Macquarie driver, formerly of Launceston, was resting up - having driven 2500 kilometres across the state to inspect the Targa route.
Although it was his son that took the Ford for its maiden flight, Miedecke said his navigator Daniel Willson will be strapped in for another round as racing begins on Wednesday.
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"He's fearless, 45 kilograms and a very good navigator,'' he said. "Unlike racing in motor sport, where they drop a flag and the rest is down to me, rallying relies on very good communication between the navigator and the driver.
"He'll call out a corner number and I'll have to drive to that - whether I can see it or not.''
Miedecke has been racing since he was about 23 years old, fulfilling his childhood dream of becoming a race driver. He said the decision to buy his Perana stemmed back to his desire to own a Capri as a young man.
"It's ideal for classic Targa,'' he said. "It's light, quite powerful and well balanced . . . it's one of the 550 V8 Capris made.
