NEWFOUNDLAND (Sept. 18, 2013) – The sun was shining on Leg 3 of Targa Newfoundland as the rally started out in Lethbridge. The day started with 31 competitors taking the line. There were a couple of incidents, including one vehicle that got into a drift and left the road but only sustained minor damage to the body work – this car will re-enter the competition tomorrow. The second incident caused major front-end damage to the competitor and it is unknown if they will be able to re-enter. In both cases, there were no injuries and no damage to private property.
In Brooklyn, competitors were introduced to brand new roads, increasing their reliance on their co-drivers. There were no issues in this stage, and it produced great competition.
CLICK HERE to view a photo gallery from Leg 3 at Targa.
Trinity was another new stage for Targa Newfoundland, and the community really got behind the event. Similar to Brigus, in that the streets were narrow, the houses were close, and the fences were everywhere, this stage was very technical and produced a great challenge to the teams. The scenery was stunning, and the community provided a great meal for all involved. This is an area where many of the homes are seasonal, and several families stayed to watch the event. All in all, the Bonavista Peninsula welcomed Targa Newfoundland with open arms.
Goose Cove presented a uniquely Newfoundland challenge – a moose wandered onto the course at the start. This caused a slight delay as event officials had to scare the animal off the course. Otherwise, this stage was very clean.
In Port Rexton, there was one incident where a vehicle sustained minor front end damage after getting light over a crest. There was no private property damage and no injuries.
The day wrapped up with a town stage in Clarenville that was greeted by scores of Targa fans lining the streets. There were no issues, and organizers were happy with the turnout.
Perseverance was the theme of the day, with father/daughter team Sawyer/Sawyer returning to the event in their family Volkswagen in Fast Tour after their Targa class Mini sustained major damage in an incident in a previous leg. Other competitors were working hard, even into the night, to get damaged cars back in the competition.
After the dust settled, in Grand Touring, a four-way tie for first place was broken, leaving MacMullen/Russell in first place in the Mini Countryman JCW. Second place is currently Riddell/DeLange in the BMW 135i, followed by McDonald/Fuller in the Audi A6. Bartlett/Pico (Porsche 944 Turbo) moved up to fourth place after Trickett/Trickett got 0:00:20 in penalty times.
In Targa Class, Classic Division, Gill/Didcock retained the lead in Ford RS1800 Escort Grp IV with only 3 seconds.
In Modern Division, a two way tie was broken with Aweida/Aweida coming out in the lead with only 0:00:14. Their next closest competitor is the team of Hume/Bartleet in the BMW M3 with a total of 0:01:14. Oldford/Oldford fell to eighth place with 0:10:01 added today. They will continue to fall in the standings due to a catastrophic engine failure in their Subaru. There were several other changes in standings today in this division, with competitors gaining or losing significant positions.
Open Division is still dominated by Davenport/Benson in the Subaru WRX, with a total of 0:00:16. Atkinson/Tarrant are sitting at 0:01:25 with their Acura Integra.
Full results are available at www.targanewfoundland.com.
Thursday’s leg of Targa Newfoundland headed south to the Avalon Peninsula for Leg 4, including Boat Harbour, Petite Forte, Mooring Cove, Marystown, Burin, and Frenchman’s Cove, before wrapping up back in Marystown with a car show at the Marystown Arena.
By Jenn Harrie
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