ST. JOHN’S, NL – After months of preparation and building anticipation, Targa Newfoundland 2024 is here! Teams have gathered in St. John’s for the start of this legendary endurance rally tomorrow morning (Saturday, Sept. 14). With the roar of engines and a wave of the flag, the 2024 edition of Targa Newfoundland will begin with the ceremonial start at St. John’s City Hall at 9 a.m. NDT.
Drivers and co-drivers from across Canada, the United States, and as far away as Germany are competing on 16 teams this year. They include competitors from four states – Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, and New Jersey – and five provinces – British Columbia, Ontario, New Brunswick, PEI, and across Newfoundland and Labrador.
“This is truly a unique rally event,” says Targa President Joe Dowden. “There is no experience like it in North America.”
Over the next week, teams will race from eastern to central Newfoundland and back again covering about 2000 km (1240 miles). The rally starts along the Atlantic shore with teams challenging the twisty roads through the outports of Witless Bay and Bay Bulls. The rally will wind its way from the Atlantic coast to Placentia Bay and Cape Shore before racing through the streets of Gander. Then it’s on to communities in north central Newfoundland along Notre Dame Bay followed by stages in the Eastport Peninsula and Random Island. Targa concludes with stages in the Conception Bay Central area with the toughest one of all through the narrow streets of historic Brigus to wrap things up for the rally.
Saturday, Sept. 14 – St. John’s and Atlantic Coast
St. John’s (ceremonial start at 9 a.m. NDT), Witless Bay, Bay Bulls
Sunday, Sept. 15 – Placentia Bay – Southwest Avalon Peninsula, Gander
Cape Shore, St. Bride’s, Cape St. Mary’s, Long Harbour, Gander
Monday, Sept. 16 – Notre Dame Bay – North Central Newfoundland
Glenwood, Bobby’s Cove, Pleasantview, Point Leamington, Leading Tickles, Glovers Harbour, Appleton
Tuesday, Sept. 17 – Bonavista Bay – Eastport Peninsula
Eastport, Happy Adventure, Salvage, Burnside, Port Blandford
Wednesday, Sept. 18 – Trinity Bay – Random Island
Weybridge, Hickman’s Harbour, Lower Lance Cove and Petley
Thursday, Sept. 19 – Conception Bay Central
Conception Harbour, Colliers, Marysvale, Turks Gut, Georgetown, Brigus
Photo: Nancy Dowden waves the flag to start Targa 2023; Photo credit: Ralph Saulnier, Ralph Saulnier (smugmug.com)
The sweet taste of victory
Winning Targa Newfoundland will taste a lot sweeter this year. In fact, it will taste like creamy smooth chocolate made right here in Newfoundland.
Targa Newfoundland and Newfoundland Chocolate Company have formed a promotional partnership. Targa will promote the homegrown chocolatier on the rally cars and promotional materials while Newfoundland Chocolate Company will provide some delicious chocolate prizes for the winners of the rally divisions.
“This is really a sweet deal,” says Targa founder Robert Giannou. “In what other rally can the winners eat the prizes?” (They’ll be presented non-edible trophies too.)
Christina Dove, owner and CEO of Newfoundland Chocolate Company, says she’s delighted to be involved with Targa.
“Both Targa and Newfoundland Chocolate Company are proud ambassadors for our beautiful province,” she says. “We are a family-owned company making artisan chocolate the old fashioned way. This year we are celebrating 16 years from our humble beginnings in our home to our original headquarters on Duckworth Street and finally, to our amazing cafe and factory on Torbay Road.”
