ST. JOHN’S, NL (August 1, 2017)- – With just over a month until the start of the 16th Targa Newfoundland, event organizers are making final preparations for the tarmac rally.
This month’s Targa NL Newsletter spotlights the winner of the first Tom Hollett Memorial Targa Bambina, which took place in early July. Additional content features the biggest international field to be entered in this year’s event, including competitors from Poland, Monaco, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Turks & Caicos Islands, the United States, and Canada.
There’s still time to volunteer, as well!
Large international field taking shape for 16th annual Targa Newfoundland
The 16th annual Targa Newfoundland tarmac rally is next month, and there is a huge international contingent registered for this year’s event.
With the recent success of the first annual Tom Hollett Memorial Targa Bambina tarmac rally, which had a large number of local competitors, and held only on the lower Burin Peninsula, focus has now shifted to the main Targa event.
The Targa will run in areas of the Avalon, Bonavista and Burin Peninsulas, and cover over 1,600 kilometres in five days of actual competition. The international motorsports community is becoming excited, and the number of competitors from all over the world attending the Targa is proof of that.
Competitors from Canada include those from Newfoundland & Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, and Alberta; Americans from California, Texas, New Hampshire, Florida, Indiana, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island. Internationally, competitors are from the Turks & Caicos Islands of the Caribbean, with European entries from Switzerland, Monaco, Poland and the United Kingdom. Targa has never had competitors from Switzerland, Monaco, or Poland, so the overall list of countries which have taken part in Targa during its history is now 16.
“The increase in the international competitors for this year’s event is quite exciting,” stated Targa President Robert Giannou. “Pulling competitors from rally hungry counties such as Switzerland, Monaco, and Poland is quite a step forward for Targa Newfoundland. We have our unique motorsports adventure here that is not available in those countries, and I’m glad these competitors have decided to make the trip over for it.”
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 1,600 kilometres of the challenging, twisty roads of the central and eastern portion of Newfoundland, including over 440 kilometers of closed-road, flat-out Targa stages.
Andrew Warren wins first ever Tom Hollett Memorial Targa Bambina in memory of cousin Cortney Lake
Written by Melissa Jenkins & Darren Sheppard
Andrew Warren and George Gouzvaris of Marystown are the very first overall winners of the Tom Hollett Memorial Targa Bambina event.
The tarmac rally was held over the Canada Day long weekend this past July on the lower Burin Peninsula.
Competitors from as far away as Ontario and Nova Scotia competed alongside a majority of Newfoundland-based teams in this shorter, three day Targa-style rally.
Warren competed in memory of his cousin Cortney Lake, whose disappearance in June was reclassified as a homicide investigation in the St. John’s region just prior to the start of the Bambina. He was informed of the reclassification the night prior to registration day in Burin.
He placed decals of her photo on his 1990 Ford Mustang Cobra as a tribute to the 24-year-old.
“It was a difficult day and a difficult weekend for sure,” he said after the big win. “It definitely feels good to win, especially in her memory. That’s what meant the world to me.”
Warren and Gouzvaris beat second place by one second to take the overall win. When asked about their experience at the Bambina, Warren was quick to respond.
“Absolutely great event, I thought it was wicked,” he explained. “I can’t wait for it to grow next year and hopefully attract even more local competitors and pull in some more communities on the Burin Peninsula.”
Part of their prize includes free registration to the main Targa event next month. Warren said he’s going to try and compete, and Gouzvaris said he’s on board as navigator if they do.
“At the end of the day, this wasn’t about the win,” Warren said. “This was special for her.”
Private transportation from Toronto eastward available for Targa 2017
Scott Robbins (past competitor, 2nd place Classic 2015, 3rd place Open 2014, 3-time Targa plate winner, and master of everything mechanical) has transported dozens of vehicles from the mainland for the last several Targa. Scott will once again be transporting vehicles to and from the event and providing servicing for competitors for the 2017 Targa.
Competitors who have used his services have been impressed with the professionalism and the care he and his crew take in bringing vehicles to and from their respective homes. Scott, and his friend Nick Kruczkowski, won the 2016 Service Crew Award for their hard work during the week of Targa. They helped numerous teams with mechanical issues, answered questions, and provided leadership when called upon in the paddock.
Scott has access to an enclosed car trailer and a couple of open trailers that he will use to transport vehicles and gear for the event (images below). The price of transport will be determined based on the number of vehicles, which transport option the competitor wishes to use (enclosed or open trailer), and the size of the vehicle itself.
He can pick up vehicles from Toronto eastward along the way to St. John’s. Vehicles from western Canada and the U.S. are welcome to join the convoy at any point (Toronto and east).
Scott and his crew members can also service vehicles that they transport, or other vehicles that arrive without service crews. He will be bringing an assortment of tools and can work on any and all vehicles.
For more information on the cost and other questions, please email Scott at srobbi@hotmail.com or call him at 905-424-3732.
Volunteers needed for Targa Newfoundland 2017
Targa Newfoundland is looking for volunteers for the 2017 motorsport season. If you’d like to help out with the 16th annual Targa Newfoundland next month, please contact us at the office.
Depending on the volunteer position, you may have your accommodations, meals, and transportation supplied, plus receive high-quality training specific to the events. Targa also provides volunteer hours for high school students, which require a specific number of volunteer hours to graduate.
If dealing with electronics is your thing, then perhaps join one of our Timing Teams. If dealing with logistics and helping people is your thing, than become one of our Competitor Relations Officers. If helping a community prepare for the event is something that interest you, join one of our Set-Up Vehicle teams. Like the idea of seeing the vehicles in action? Then sign up to be a Roving Safety Marshall. These and other positions are available for the Targa.
Please email Leah Dalton, our Volunteer Coordinator, at volunteer@targanl.com for more information and to put your name forward to assist for this great event! It’s certainly a great way to see the central and eastern portion of the island, meet new people with similar interest as yourself, and if you are into motorsports, it’s the closest you’ll get to a real rally car in this province.
REGISTER TODAY:
Entry Fees for 2017 Targa Newfoundland. Below are the entry fees for the 16th annual Targa Newfoundland. Add 15% HST to all fees below.
Type of Division: Entry Fee
Fast Tour: $4,295.00
Grand Touring: $6,795.00
Targa: $7,795.00
Quick Tour: (1-3 days) Per Day Rate: $1,000.00
For entry forms or for more information on the event, please contact Darren at registrar@targanewfoundland.com or call 1-877-332-2413 (709-722-2413).
2017 Targa License Plates for sale to the public
Currently taking orders for Targa Plates – $10 each (add $5 if mailing them out is required). Can be as few as one character, up to a maximum of four characters – can be numbers, letters or combination. Order to manufacturer will be placed August 2nd, so really not a lot of time to decide if you’d like to take advantage! We had the plate offer posted on social media the past couple of weeks, but the newsletter is more direct so hopefully anyone that really wants a plate will be able to order it.
Call Darren at 1-877-332-2413 (locally 722-2413) or email registrar@targanewfoundland.com to place an order! Plates will arrive in late August or early September.
CONTACTS:
Robert Giannou
President
rgiannou@targanewfoundland.com
303 Thorburn Road, Suite 2-D
St John’s, Newfoundland, Canada A1B 4R1
Cell: 709-682-7900 Tel: 877-332-2413 Fax: 709-753-7646
Darren Sheppard
General Manager
registrar@targanewfoundland.com
303 Thorburn Road, Suite 2-D
St John’s, Newfoundland, Canada A1B 4R1
Tel: 709-722-2413 Tel: 877-332-2413 Fax: 709-753-7646
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