Barry Faux and his wife Therezia Mihajlovic, of the ACT, woke up early Monday morning to find their Targa tow-car had been burgled.

Fortunately the thief only made off with Mr Faux's helmets and a few smaller items valued at $5000.

Mr Faux said the thief must have been spooked as more valuable items such as driving suits were left behind.

"If they had taken the things they had left behind we would have almost certainly had great difficulty competing," Mr Faux said.

"What they've taken we've managed to replace and look forward to the rally and I'll be angry so I'll go faster."

Mr Faux's 1985 Mazda RX7 was left untouched as it was covered, he said he was angry at first but ultimately grateful for the support and ready to get racing.

"Everything's been cathartic, it's no loss of life or limb and we can get on with it," he said.