2009 Targa Newfoundland Rally

[racer-025]

This post is just an FYI for the IT racers across the country. Each year in September (year 8 coming up) the people of the province of Newfoundland host a 1400 mile, 6 day, tarmac high speed road rally. This rally is open to anyone that holds a current competition license. It features approx. 8 high speed stages interconnected with 9 transit stages each day throughout the week. The high speed stages range from 2 miles long to 30 miles long, all on rural asphalt roads & town streets across the province. There are over 2000 volunteers to put on this event.

This is truely an amazing hi-level televised international event. Each year 60-90 teams from California to Europe to Australia contest 9 different classes depending on the vehicle. Cars need to be street legal with full roll cage, etc. Many of the teams have no rally experience (including myself). I have been road racing for 16 years and decided to give this a try in 2003. We finished first in our class, finishing 8 overall (out of 64).

This is a must-do motorsport event at least once in one's lifetime. Most of you IT Racers do have the necessary skills required to do this event. If you are interested in obtaining more info you can check out the Targa Newfoundland website at;

http://www.targanewfoundland.com/

you can also check out the forum at;

http://www.targanewfoundland.com/phpBB2/index.php?sid=f74731c0ea04d0c030956b6459518e31

Rental cars are available including delivery & full support if required. I have Honda rally cars available for rent. Anyway, if anyone wants more info, post it here or check out the Targa Newfoundland website.

[JLawton]

Yup, that's on my bucket list!!

[type r rocket]

Yep, before I die.

[backformore]

On my list too. I can't help but feel it should probably done sooner rather than later. I know it's in Canadia not the USofA but I can't help believing it won't be too long before someone decides it is too unsafe/environmentally unfriendly/expensive/noisy/etc. and it will cease to exist.

I'd do it ow but it is not an inexpensive undertaking, even if you do it cheaply.

[racer-025]

I really dont know of any other place in North America that you could put on this type of event. The province of Newfoundland is quite an amazing place and the organizers did a huge amount of work and effort to make it as safe as possible as well as acceptable by the people and all levels of government. Thats one of the reasons why they need 2000 volunteers to make it all happen.

This event is not cheap. Its an equivalent to an entire race season's budget for most folks. Budget $8k (sleeping in your van) to $10K (4 star hotels). $20K gets you a nice rental race car, entrance fee, fly to & from Newfoundland, full support crew, and be King for the entire week. Beat the race the car all day long, hand in the keys and go to the Sauna & pool. Car gets the entire once over & shine each night. Do it all again for 5 days straight - VIP stuff!

We are more like prep, maintain & repair the car ourselves, sleep in the motorhome, etc....Anyway it is one of those must do at least once. Most IT cars can be temporairly modified to run Targa. Thats what I did to 2 of my ITA CRX's. Then I converted one of them back to IT and the other I converted to GT.

[BruceG]

Just watched the replay of the 2007 on SPEED. That 914/6 learned the hard way after going too fast over a wet wooden bridge! Pretty expensive rally for a few, plus the distance to get there.

Bruce