News
(september 18, 2009)
Leg 5 September 18th
Targa Newfoundland 2009 ended the way it began - with a splash.
The rally covered its 2,200 kilometres with minimal incident. Mechanical failure removed more competitors from the course than driving incidents, and although some switched catagory from Targa to Grand Touring, almost all who started the event drove across the finish line at the Keg Friday evening.
Friday was a rough-and-tumble rush away from Marystown, including the debut of the new Boat Harbour to Petite Forte stage which impressed even in Friday's rain-soaked state and the final run along the traditional Marine Drive course.
When the skies cleared, provisional results showed Roy Hopkins and Adrienne Hughes had come from behind Thursday's leaders to grab their third overall win in a row.
"He deserves to be where he is," said Ross Wood, clerk of the Targa Newfoundland course.
"We were very pleased with the level of competition this year. Rain on the final day certainly made changes, but the veterans always seem to find a way."
The managed to clear all stages penalty-free for the final two days in their 1969 BMW 2002, while Thursday's leaders Glen Clarke and Andy Proudfoot took on two minutes and 39 seconds in the wet to drop out of contention.
Michael Stoschek of Coburg, Germany, and co-driver Philipp Spaeth of Lake Orion, Mich., held on to second place in their 1965 Porsche 911.
Steve Millen and Mike Monticello were the cream of the Modern crop, sixth overall with 1:20 in penalties.
In Grand Touring, the BMW 325i-driving team of Ferdinand and Chrisoph Trauttmansdorff held stayed penalty-free for the whole event, clearing the only zero score of the event.
As the scoring team finalized results for 2009, planning is already underway for Targa 2010; dates to be anounced.
