ST. JOHN’S (August 29, 2017) – Preparing for Targa Newfoundland can take months, sometimes years, for a team to be fully prepared for the “Ironman of Motorsports”. Given the term “warriors” is used for people who fight to get through mental health concerns, this team is one to watch in the 16th annual Targa Newfoundland international tarmac rally.
Kirk Jones, of Spencerville, Ontario, and his family have personally been touched by youth mental illness. Kirk’s daughter has been battling the illness for years and is his inspiration behind their 2017 Targa effort. Kirk, and his navigator Corey Prosser, of St. John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador, will be competing in the Targa division under the team’s “nobrain’ Racing” name, promoting the impact that mental health challenges can have on youth and their families in today’s society.
“The whole idea of promoting this cause was from the journey we walked with my daughter and the experience out of this…she is my biggest supporter and inspiration to do well at Targa, while promoting the importance of youth mental health,” explains Kirk.
“We have lived the journey; climbed mountains; chased the shadows; made life changing sacrifices; and fortunately came out the other side with scars, but generally intact as do most with treatment and assistance. The challenges do not always leave, so you must be ever vigilant. Realizing this does not just impact the person living with the illness, but many around them.”
Kirk and Corey will be raising funds for a number of target benefactors while at the Targa – CHEO Youth Net, Parents Lifelines of Eastern Ontario, Hotel Dieu Child and Adolescent Mental Health Program, and Thrive Community Youth Network St. John’s.
While living in Australia in 1992 Kirk witnessed the inaugural running of Targa Tasmania, and decided there that someday he would compete in a Targa event. Fast forward 25 years and his dream is coming true at Targa Newfoundland.
“Back in 1992 I had three Audi Quattro’s, so I always had the rally bug,” he explained. “In fact, one of those competed in Targa last year (Lognay Rally Team). I’ve watched a few acquaintances see their last circle of the sun over the past couple of years…unfortunately mortality is a great motivator. I acquired my 2016 Volkswagen Golf R in June of last year, and in October I signed up for the Targa…been practicing and preparing ever since.”
For more information on the team and how to support their cause, please visit www.nobrainr.ca.
Owned and operated by Newfoundland International Motorsports Limited, Targa Newfoundland is one of three internationally recognized Targa motorsports events in the world. The 2017 competition will start in St. John’s on September 10th and concludes back in the capital on September 15th. The annual rally will cover more than 1,500 kilometres of the challenging, twisty roads of the central and eastern portion of Newfoundland, including over 430 kilometres of closed-road, flat-out Targa stages.
Contact:
Media: Robert Giannou 709-722-2413 rgiannou@targanewfoundland.com
Competitors: Darren Sheppard 1-877-332-2413 registrar@targanewfoundland.com
Websites: http://targanfld.com/ – www.facebook.com/targanl – www.twitter.com/targanl – www.instagram.com/targa_nl
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