|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
If you listen very closely, you can hear it: the pounding of more than 150 hearts. The chests taking this beating belong to the drivers and navigators anticipating the start of the seventh annual Targa Newfoundland, a rally like no other on the continent of North America. This year’s version kicks off Saturday, Sept. 12, and ends seven days and 2,200 kilometres later.
The organizers and the participants agree only Newfoundland could host this kind of event. All-out, closed stage tarmac rallying, separated by a sometimes frantic tour of some of the most beautiful scenery on the planet. It’s no wonder Targa Newfoundland boasts a 55 per cent return rate. The challenge for all competitors is to cover all stages within set times, following roads they do not know, aided by course books prepared by some of the sport’s most knowledgeable people. That can be challenging for the Grand Touring class, where speeds on open and closed stages are calculated close to posted limits. When you get to the Targa class, those closed stages get a whole lot more interesting. Times are set according to car class and division, determined by the year of the vehicle, the modifications it has received and the displacement of its engine. Penalties are assessed for late arrivals, and few manage to finish the week penalty free. 'Targa' (or competitive) sections are held on roads closed to the general public and comprise 20 per cent of the total course. That’s a challenge that draws competitive drivers and crews from around the world. This year’s roster boasts teams from across Canada and the United States, as well as such far-flung locales as Turks and Caicos Islands, Germany, Australia, Ireland and England. And all come for the thrill of the drive, for the bragging rights that come with taking part, with finishing or, best of all, grabbing that Targa plate. Factories have taken notice of the Targa phenomenon, with five companies either supporting or fielding full-fledged teams for 2009. Most prominent for this year are the BMW Canada Group’s MINI, returning for its seventh year at Targa, and Subaru Canada Inc. which will field a Subaru Impreza WRX STI in the Modern Division of the Targa competition, with automotive journalist Marc Lachapelle of Montreal behind the wheel and Keith Townsend of Toronto in the co-driver's seat. Some well-known names come with factory backing, too. Canadian rally star Frank Sprongl and co-driver Rod Hendricksen of New Jersey return with their 1983 Audi Quattro A2 — a rally star in its own right — under the Audi Canada banner, as the company celebrates its 100th anniversary. Probably the most anticipated car at this year’s event is Steve Millen’s 2009 Nissan GT-R, purpose-built for Targa Newfoundland and packing carbon fibre body panels, prototype performance and suspension upgrades and a frightening 600+ horsepower under the hood. Another factory car will compete as well. Mercedes-Benz Canada has entered a 2009 Smart Fortwo in the Grand Touring division. Toss in the usual collection of Mustangs — including local boy Ray Halleran in his Racing for Autism 2010 Mustang GT — Porsches and unexpected exotics, and you have one of the best weeks of motorsport on Earth. — Ken Simmons |
|
|||||||||||
| Add to Favorites Link to us Contact Us Directory Archive Legal Privacy Top Sites RSS Feeds Submit Content Advertise |
| AllFordMustangs is not affiliated with or endorsed by Ford Motor Company. ©Copyright 2002-2010 All Ford Enthusiasts Network |
