Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Targa Newfoundland



Just an FYI, highlights of the 2010 Targa Newfoundland will air on Speed at the following times:

Sunday, June 5th, 2011 at 2:00PM 
Tuesday, June 7th, 2011 at 3:00AM
Saturday, June 18th, 2011 at 4:00PM

All those times are EST.

What is the Targa Newfoundland?  I'll let them explain.

From the Targa Newfoundland website:

"Targa Newfoundland is the first and only event of its kind to be held in North America. At nine years young, every aspect of our high end automotive adventure just keeps getting better. As motorsport enthusiasts, we know that limits were made to be pushed and cars were designed to be driven.

At Targa Newfoundland, each September, we do just that.

We offer a 2200 kilometre course with scenery & competition we know you won't find anywhere else – enjoy the paved, open roads of eastern & central Newfoundland and the many wonders of natural beauty. Our competitor's only complaint may be that their speed is so fast and focus so good, they have little time to enjoy the smell of Ocean or the up close and personal views of the Atlantic Ocean.

'Targa' (or competitive) sections are held on roads closed to the general public and comprise 20% of the total course. A world class support staff and volunteer crew will be ready and awaiting to meet your needs as you complete each stage. In creating a world-class event, we've created a first-class team of people (problem solvers of the finest kind) who really want to help you do your best.

And while can't promise you weather (prepare for the unexpected), we can promise you community support unlike any other. Newfoundlanders will be waiting for you as you tackle each stage and you might find your greatest fans are hundreds of school children eager for an autograph and a picture. On any given day during Targa Newfoundland, you'll play hero dozens of times.

Speaking of personal best, we've designed our event so that every competitor not only has an opportunity to measure their performance against their fellow competitors but in fact, each vehicle competes against itself on a handicap basis.

Yes, we have winners but our prize isn't money – its bragging rights and personal fulfilment. To that end, completing or just participating in Targa Newfoundland is reward enough and beyond anything you have ever experienced.
Our return competitor rate of 55% attests to this!

It's an accomplishment like no other and the week long adventure that is your real prize. You'll return home with memories, friends and war stories that will make you the envy of your friends.

We know you'll be back! Targa Newfoundland – It's About the Drive!"


That's about it in a nutshell.  I've been following it for more than a few years now and it looks like tons of fun.  I'd love to take part in it some day but for now I'll have to just dream and live vicariously through others.

This year's Targa Newfoundland will take place September 10th - 17th and should be a blast.  I'll be following and rooting for the Flyin Miata team as they return to the Targa with two Miatas.  The first generation Flyin Miata sponsored car, built, owned, and driven by Keith Tanner with his navigator/wife Janel Tanner, won it's class in 2008 running a 2.0L stroker 4cyl.  Keith, Janel, and their car will return for the 2011 race, this time in the unlimited Targa class, sporting a GM V8 swap.  The second Flyin Miata car will be a newer third generation Miata entered in the Grand Touring class.  That car will feature one of their excellent supercharger kits along with some other choice parts from their catalog and it will be driven by Flyin Miata founder and owner Bill Cardell.  Should be fun.

You can check out the build diary for the V8 car here - The V8 Targa Miata Project

Here is a teaser video from the Targa Newfoundland website for the 2008 race.  Other videos and pictures can be found on the multimedia page.

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