News
(september 12, 2009)
Ready Set Go
Ready, Set, Go!
The 8th annual Targa Newfoundland is ready, set, go with a field of 60 cars taking it to the rugged terrain of Newfoundland. The seven day event begins Saturday in St. John's with a day for tech to ensure all cars meet their safety requirements and are competing in the correct class. Tech day is the day competitors get to know one another, share stories of previous Targa's, coach the rookies, buy last minute parts and try to shake the jitters before Sunday's Prologue.
The official start is slated for Noon Sunday from the beautiful St. John's waterfront. Competitors then transit to Flatrock where they'll complete the two prologue stages, have lunch at a local school and then transit to Confederation Building for the Capital Automotive Group/Goodyear Superstage. The prologue offers competitors an opportunity to get the bugs out, ensure their communication gear is working, test their rally computers and get their nerves in check! The prologue also sets the starting order for the first Targa stage on Day 1.
Event organizer Robert Giannou is excited about the event's return to the City of St. John's.
"This is the first time since 2005 we've run a stage in the City and we are delighted to be back! The Superstage will provide spectators with a firsthand look at the event and we are anticipating record crowds." The Superstage starts at 2:00pm local time.
Competitors will cover over 2,000 kilometers and drive 47 closed road stages over the next week, finishing on the St. John's waterfront, Friday, September 18th at 5:45pm. "The Targa family of communities has remained consistent over the last few years but we are thrilled to have Boat Harbour, Petite Forte and Harbour Grace joining with us this year", says Giannou. Several other stages, although in the same communities, have been reworked to provide competitors with more challenge and excitement.
With over half the field returning and half the field first-timers, it will be exciting to see if experience will pay off again this year. One competitor to watch is Steve Millen, a motorsport legend, competing in a Nissan R35 GT-R. Millen's racing bio reads like an encyclopedia - check it out at www.stillen.com
Owned by Newfoundland International Motorsports Limited, and operated by Targa Newfoundland Motorsport Club, Targa Newfoundland is one of three internationally recognized Targa motorsports events in the world. The 8th annual Targa Newfoundland will start and end in St. John's and will cover more than 2,000 kilometres of the challenging, twisty roads of the central and eastern portion of the island of Newfoundland over six days, including up to 400 kilometres of closed-road, flat-out Targa stages. Competitors have come from the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Germany, Turks and Caicos, the Bahamas and the U.K.
For daily updates, results and images see www.targanewfoundland.com
Inquiries: (709) 722-2413
