ST. JOHN’S, NL – Professional racing legend Randy “The Rocket” Pobst from Georgia has twice claimed the Targa 1 title with different co-drivers and different cars. Can he make it three in a row this fall?
Pobst won the Targa 1 division title in 2023 with Craig MacMullen and John Hume Sr. of Team Hume Media in a 2013 MINI John Cooper Works GP. In 2024, he teamed up with Paul Abbott of St. John’s, NL in Paul’s 1989 Porsche 911 Targa to win again. This fall, he’s back with Paul in the MINI GP racing under the name Mini Maxi Rally Team.
“This event requires high precision and a good navigator/partner in a quick, reliable, and agile car,” he said. “We’ve got the package with Paul Abbott and the MINI GP I drove in 2023.”
Pobst has raced at every major track in North America, but Targa is something special to him. “It’s the thrill of racing on the open roads in a beautiful place, and the length and variety of the stages all week.”
As for Abbott, this will be his fifth Targa and second time navigating for Randy. He’s achieved class wins three times before as a driver and co-driver, including last year’s victory with Randy. “The MINI should have a really good chance even against the large field although there is some stiff competition in that class. It will be interesting to watch.”
Over his impressive racing career, Randy was a factory driver with Porsche, Audi, Mazda, and Volvo. A member of the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Hall of Fame, he’s won over 90 pro road races, including the prestigious Rolex 24 at Daytona (twice), four World Challenge GT Championships, two IMSA driver’s championships and two North American Touring Car championships. He also set the modified electric production record at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in a 2021 Tesla Model S Plaid and recently challenged the hill climb at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in a Hyundai IONIQ 6.
Paul has competed in Targa four times including twice as a driver, winning Class 8 Modern in 2009, and as a co-driver in Open Class and Targa 1 last year. Paul is a past autocross champion in Vinland Motorsport, a motorsports club in Newfoundland, and an active member of the Porsche Club of America, Acadia Region. He first saw Targa in 2002 when it raced past his driveway in Flatrock, Newfoundland & Labrador. Later he volunteered and then competed in the rally. He considers Targa to be his “home track”.
Pobst is thrilled to return to Targa Newfoundland. “Driving enthusiasts, Targa offers a unique way to experience the driving thrills you love, in a real world environment like nothing else. Drive fast, drive smart! It’s an amazing adventure you’re not going to find anywhere else.”
Read more about Randy on his website randypobst.com and follow him at https://www.facebook.com/randy.pobst.
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. Since 2002, 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.
Held each fall on the ruggedly beautiful island of Newfoundland in eastern Canada, the rally covers 2000 kilometres of challenging, twisty roads through amazing scenery across the island including about 500 kilometres of thrilling stages at speed on closed sections of public roads.
The legendary rally returns September 11-18 with the biggest field of cars competing in many years. More than 30 teams are signed up and gearing up for an epic week-long rally from eastern to central Newfoundland and back again.
Now in its 23rd year, Targa Newfoundland will reach an incredible milestone – the 1000th stage – during this fall’s event.
Targa Divisions
• Targa 2 is the highest speed division for cars with full roll cages.
• Targa 1 is a competitive division for cars with roll bars.
• Grand Touring is a time, speed and distance competition also known as a navigational rally.
• Targa Tour is a non-competitive motorsport adventure.
Cars are subdivided as classic or modern (made before or after 2000) and whether they are two-wheel or all-wheel drive. The field this year will include a variety of classic, sports and muscle cars. Each team consists of a driver and co-driver or navigator. In the three competitive divisions, teams must meet set times for each stage to avoid penalties.
From Blair Riddle / Targa Newfoundland
