ST. JOHN’S, NL – Targa Newfoundland returns to Race the Rock as the long-running tarmac rally marks its 25th anniversary. Cars will leave the starting line Saturday morning on an epic and grueling rally covering close to 2000 km.
North America’s only targa event was created by three passionate racers in 2001 and staged its first event the following year.
“For Targa Newfoundland’s 25th anniversary, this is a year of several firsts,” said Targa Newfoundland owner Robert Giannou. “We’re excited about the first-ever livestream of the rally with Dejero, the first electric vehicle entry, and several new competition stages teams have never driven before.”
About two dozen teams from across Canada and the United States are gathered at the RE/MAX Centre in St. John’s as they train and prepare for Targa Newfoundland 2026.
They set off from the Mary Brown’s Centre in downtown St. John’s on the morning of Saturday, Sept. 12 following the ceremonial official start.
“We invite Targa fans to join us between 9 and 9:30 Saturday morning to cheer on the teams and check out their rally cars,” said Giannou.
Over six days they’ll cover close to 2000 km including about 500 km of speed stages on closed roads and streets. The challenging course will take them along winding coastal highways and through narrow streets of scenic towns and outports from eastern to central Newfoundland.
The rally will end with a celebration on famous George Street in St. John’s on Thursday, Sept. 17 starting at 6 p.m.
Fans can follow the rally through a livestream on Targa’s YouTube channel thanks to a partnership with Dejero and other technology companies.
The rally will also be streamed at IBC 2026, one of the world’s largest broadcast technology trade shows, running September 11–14 at the RAI Amsterdam.
Attendees will be able to watch the live production feed directly from Newfoundland’s coastal roads on the show floor, a real-time demonstration of the sponsor ecosystem’s technology in the field. Learn more: dejero.com/targa-ibc.
Targa Newfoundland 2026 Schedule:
Saturday, Sept. 12 – Official start, Prologue and Leg 1: Atlantic Shore
• Ceremonial start, 9-9:30 a.m., Mary Brown’s Centre, St. John’s
• Stages: Tors Cove, Burnt Cove, Bauline East
• Car show at 7 p.m. at Hickman Motors, Kenmount Road, St. John’s
Sunday, Sept. 13 – Leg 2: Cape Shore and Placentia Bay
• Mount Carmel, North Harbour, Branch, Point Lance, Cape St. Mary’s, St. Bride’s, Point Verde
Monday, Sept. 14 – Leg 3: Bonavista Bay and Eastport Peninsula
• Port Blandford, Eastport, Happy Adventure, Salvage, Burnside
• Car show at 7 p.m. at Hickman Motors, Airport Road, Gander
Tuesday, Sept. 15 – Leg 4: Central Newfoundland
• Glenwood, Appleton, Gander
Wednesday, Sept. 16 – Leg 5: Random Island
• Lady Cove, Hickman’s Harbour, Lower Lance Cove, Petley
• Car show at 7 p.m. at Hickman Motors, Shoal Harbour Drive, Clarenville
Thursday, Sept. 17 – Leg 6: Conception Bay
• Conception Harbour, Colliers, Marysvale, Turk’s Gut, Georgetown
• Trophy celebration – George Street, St. John’s at 6 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 18 – Awards Dinner, St.John’s
Fans can meet the teams and check out their cars at lunch stops and evening car shows. Check out the Targa website, https://targanfld.com/, for more information about each day of the rally.
Spectator safety tips:
Be a smart spectator. Think safety!
• Stand at least 15 metres from the road.
• Never stand on the outside of a turn.
• Choose high ground.
• Never stand behind red tape.
• Always stand, do not sit down to watch
• AND remind others to do the same.
About Targa Newfoundland: Owned and operated by Newfoundland International Motorsports Limited, Targa Newfoundland is one of only three internationally recognized Targa motorsports events in the world. Founded in 2001, Targa Newfoundland, the ultimate tarmac rally in North America, has attracted hundreds of professional and amateur racers from around the globe to Newfoundland and Labrador. Visit www.targanfld.com for more information.
From Blair Riddle, Media Relations, Targa Newfoundland
Discussion about this post