In short, the 2003 Targa Newfoundland (
http://www.targanewfoundland.com/) is a 5 day 40 stage, 1300-mile rally run totally on tarmac. It is held in Province of Canada, just north of the boarder of Maine, called Newfoundland. The partnership between the rally organizera and the province essentially allows the closing of roads, and no speed limit, in exchange for a rolling car museum over the 5-day event (how many cities would do allow this???). They literally shut down the capital city for this event, and the many highways and roads, as some sections take you through the capital city of St. Johns, with crowds lining up as if it were the Santa Claus parade.
There are two types of “classes” within the Targa Newfoundland
1: Touring Class: Each car is handicapped , this is a true a “time & distance” event, where you have a base time to achieve, and are penalized for being too early or too late. This is a more civilized pace, and easier on the cars.
2: Targa Class: Each car is handicapped, and you must achieve your base time. Beating it is fine, but missing it accrues penalty time. Some sections are flat out pedal to the metal. Last year a Viper reached a top speed in one segment of 150mph!! About 350 miles in done on closed roads at “race speed”, and the remainder “transit phases” are done at speed limit, essentially taking you between “at speed” phases.
Every night, you stay in a different city, parking at a community center that then opens the doors to the residents, and raises money for the community through ticket sales.
In brief, that is what the event is about… What I haven’t mentioned is the people and the atmosphere that surrounds the event. Now I must say this by stating that I have not experienced it first hand, but through doing my homework and speaking with other competitors, and race organizers.
The people of Newfoundland totally embrace this event. Last year one of the cars curbed their car, bending the rear axel. Someone came out of the crowd and said “I have one of these cars at home (in the barn)”, and more than ten locales volunteered their time, working through the night to get the car ready for the next mornings start. They even insisted on sand blasting and painting the axel as it “wouldn’t be right if it wasn’t done properly”.
Beside being allowed to go flat out on a closed road without fear of a police cruiser catching me… the thing that sealed my entry in this event was hearing about a lunch stop at a local school. This took place in the middle of a rainstorm, and as the cars pulled into the school for lunch… 350 children lined the parking lot, with their posters they had made of the event, standing in the rain, cheering as the cars came in. I have spoken to 3 of last years participants, and they all said that there was not one dry eye in any of the teams, as it was so emotional. This was what sealed my entry, as I thought what a way to share my passion for cars with kids,that if it were not for the event, would never be able to see these cars.
After discussing the event with a co-worker (Greg Davies; a fellow car nut), we decided to enter. Then the preparations began….
The car needs some “tuning” and “upgrading” to ensure it will safely complete the event. Then there are my driving skills…. I thought I was good until I took a few courses and realized how much I didn’t know. So this summer I will spend my time at Solo I & II events, driving schools and lapping days.
Then there is the whole sponsorship issue… The reality is that it is hard enough being an accomplished professional driver (no not me) to raise funds. We will be sending out a package to a number of prospective “partners” this week, to try and reduce what will be a formidable cash outlay. We have also contacted a children’s charity, so if the hard $$$ don’t come in, at least we will be able to get some satisfaction from this partnership.
Last year the event received some very good coverage from magazines and TV such as:
Car & Driver Feb. 2003 / 6 Full Pages
Automobile Magazine: Mar. 2003 / 6 Full Pages
Car Guide Magazine: Dec.2002
Grassroots Motorsports: Feb. 2003
Speed Channel: May/Sept 2003
Xtreme TV: Feb. 2, 2003
Here are some links on the event, and others it was modeled on, and some competitor’s sites with interesting info:
http://www.targanewfoundland.com/
http://www.targa.co.nz/
http://www.targatasmania.com
http://www.jimkenzie.com
and here is a link to order a VHS or DVD of the 2002 event if you are interested, or you can call Kathy @ “TV2GO” (416) 416-696-9633
http://www.tv2go.com/about.html
Over the next 5 months, I will be very active trying to pick everyone’s brain to find out all sorts of things…. So thank you in advance I will keep you up-to-date on our preparations, and of course the event.
Sorry about rambling on… but for me this event is as important as purchasing my Cobra…. Truly a “once in a lifetime event”.
p.s.: If you have made it to this point in my note…. You are as “affected” as I am…
Mark
2003 Targa Newfoundland: The Ultimate driving experience
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