Gander (September 16, 2013) – After dealing with heavy rain showers the previous day, Monday made for wonderful driving conditions in the 12th annual Targa Newfoundland. Sunny skies with brisk winds allowed for the competitors to enjoy the conditions and push their cars to the limits.
The stages of the eastern part of the island was today’s backdrop for the race. Colliers, Sunnyside, and Port Blandford all had the competition drive through their communities and they saw an array of driving skills and incidents during the stages.
During the morning, the John Curran Memorial Stage in Conception Harbour and Colliers gave the competitors the most challenge. Three cars had minor off’s but returned to the road and continued on in the event. The next stage however, Marysvale, was executed by all teams perfectly. In the afternoon stage of North West Brook the teams began the 29 km run quite successfully. However, one team left the road at about the 12 km mark damaging their vehicle. The crew, as precautionary measure, were taken to a local hospital for observation. The Port Blandford safety marshals realizing their stage would be delayed in order to wait for the ambulance to arrive (one is always on the stage or the stage isn’t run), advised Targa Newfoundland that there would be no issue with the delay. The stage was run approximately 35 minutes late and was completed successfully by all teams.
Through today’s action the Classic standings have the British pairing of Gill/Didcock in their Ford RS 1800 Group IV having a 10 second lead over the Ford Mustang of Rogers/Strupp. Both teams are experienced rally racers and are expected to battle each other for the top spot in the division.
In the Modern division standings there is a three way tie for first place. Colorado team of Aweida/Aweida in their Ford Mustang FR500S, the local team of Oldford/Oldford in their Subaru WRX STI, and the Mini Cooper S of Mepham/Solecki from Ontario are on the top of the charts. However, four other teams are within a minute of the top spot, so this division will come down to the wire to determine a victor.
In the Open division there is also a tie for first place, this time between two teams. The Quebec duo of Bergeron/Kirby in their Subaru STI and the Ontario team of Davenport/Benson in their Subaru WRX are battling it out. Third place of the local team of Atkinson/Tarrant in their Acura Integra are close behind at only 10 seconds. This too will be a battle to the finish.
In the Grand Touring division there is a four way tie for first place. McDonald/Fuller, Riddell/DeLange, MacMullen/Russell, and Trickett/Trickett are all going for the top spot. The fifth place pair of Bartlett/Picco are only 2 seconds behind making this a very tight group fighting it out for first place.
The competitors and the cars are now in Gander to prepare for tomorrow’s second day of stages. Two car shows that benefit the Autism Society of Newfoundland and Labrador will occur, one tonight and the other tomorrow night at the Gander Community Centre.
A video summary of each day’s action is available each evening at http://www.targanewfoundlandnews.com/
Owned and operated by Newfoundland International Motorsports Limited, Targa Newfoundland is one of three internationally recognized Targa motorsports events in the world. The 2013 competition starts in St. John’s on September 14 and concludes back in the capital on September 21. The 12th annual rally will cover more than 2,000 kilometres of the challenging, twisty roads of the central and eastern portion of Newfoundland, including up to 450 kilometres of closed-road, flat-out Targa stages.
Contact: Darren Sheppard 1 877 332 2413 registrar@targanewfoundland.com
Newfoundland International Motorsports Limited
2D-303 Thorburn Road, St John’s, Newfoundland,
Canada. A1B 4R1
Tel: 709-722-2413 Tel: 877-332-2413 Fax: 709-753-7646
www.targanewfoundland.com
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