That Was Close!

The perfect book for motor enthusiasts, thrill seekers and anyone who loves a good yarn.

‘Fear and I started our long relationship at a very early age, and every time we met, I think we worked together to thicken my skin a little.’

As a veteran of the famous (some would say infamous) Targa Tasmania Rally, Philip Blake has had plenty of brushes with death, but even the bravest and most foolhardy of rev-heads would be shocked by his record.

In short, Philip Blake should not be alive. He has fallen off a mountain, been blown out of bed by a bomb and had far too many close shaves on the road – and that’s before you even get to Targa Tasmania.

In this wickedly funny book, this master storyteller races through a life overflowing with thrills.

About the Author

Born in Northern Ireland and growing up in Belfast during the Troubles, Philip Blake escaped to Tasmania in 1974. He is a professional writer, a former national magazine columnist and the winner of an Australian Literature Board Fellowship. He was also one of Tasmania’s most highly awarded advertising copywriters. A trained teacher, he has many years of

experience in teaching Plain English writing.

Finally, he is an experienced competition driver and co-driver, who has run in Targa Tasmania 25 times in eight different cars. He holds a diamond Targa trophy, is a member of the Targa Hall of Fame and is so far the only two-time winner of the Denny Hulme award.

He is a former A-grade racing motorcyclist and has twice won major Targa Tasmania competitions – in two different cars and in two different seats.