Targa Tasmania
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| Category | Rally |
|---|---|
| Country | Tasmania, Australia |
| Inaugural event | 1992 |
| Official Website | www.targa.com.au |
Targa Tasmania is a tarmac-based rally event held on the island state of Tasmania, Australia, annually since 1992. The event takes its name from the Targa Florio, a former motoring event held on the island of Sicily. The competition concept is drawn directly from the best features of the Mille Miglia, the Coupe des Alpes and the Tour de Corse.
History
[edit]The inaugural event was held in April and May 1992 with a field of over 200 cars.[1][2]
After three competitors died in 2021 and another in 2022, Motorsport Australia revoked the event's licence.[3][4]
It is scheduled to resume in November 2025 with an amended course from Hobart to Launceston.[5][6]
Rally format
[edit]The rally started as a five-day event, but has been run as a six-day event for anniversaries in 2001, 2006 and 2016.
The layout of the 2016 event was:
- Leg 1 Launceston - George Town - Launceston
- Leg 2 Launceston - St Helens - Launceston
- Leg 3 Launceston - Sheffield - Launceston
- Leg 4 Launceston - Stanley - Strahan
- Leg 5 Strahan - New Norfolk - Hobart
- Leg 6 Hobart - Hobart
In 2008 the course was substantially revised, a number of well liked stages from previous years are now used (Riana), and a number of all new stages were introduced (Mount Claude and Rossarden). Leg 3 was dropped by shortening the Leg 2 East Coast day ending back in Launceston (rather than Hobart). Leg 3 is another loop north out of Launceston (running through Devonport on this day). Leg 4 later ran from Launceston through the lunch stop at Burnie to the evening end at Strahan. It was the longest tarmac rally in Australia with no repeated stages. Although a couple of stages will share the same piece of road in opposite directions on consecutive days.
The Targa is one of several Tarmac Rally events to be held in Australia. It also has had international connections with Targa New Zealand and Targa Newfoundland which have evolved since the inception of Targa Tasmania.
List of past winners
[edit]In 2016 the premier category changed from Modern to Showroom GT2.
Showroom GT4 Competition
[edit]| Year | Driver | Navigator | Vehicle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Steve Glenney | Tim Kulhanek | 947 Subaru STI SPEC C |
| 2017 | Angus Kennard | Ian Wheeler | 962 Nissan GT-R R35 |
Showroom GT2 Competition
[edit]| Year | Driver | Navigator | Vehicle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Matt Close | Cameron Reeves | 991 Porsche 911 GT3 |
| 2017 | Jason White | John White | 934 Dodge Viper ACR Extreme |
| 2018 | Jason White | John White | 934 Dodge Viper ACR Extreme |
Modern Competition
[edit]| Year | Driver | Navigator | Vehicle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Greg Crick | Greg Preece | Honda NSX |
| 1993 | Greg Crick | Greg Preece | Honda NSX |
| 1994 | Andrew Miedecke | Alan Taylor | Porsche 944 Turbo Cup |
| 1995 | Neal Bates | Coral Taylor | Toyota Celica GT-Four (ST205) |
| 1996 | Jim Richards | Barry Oliver | Porsche 911 (993) |
| 1997 | Jim Richards | Barry Oliver | Porsche 911 (993) |
| 1998 | Jim Richards | Barry Oliver | Porsche 911 (993) |
| 1999 | Peter Fitzgerald | Michael Mansour | Porsche 911 (993) |
| 2000 | Jim Richards | Barry Oliver | Porsche 911 GT3 |
| 2001 | Jim Richards | Barry Oliver | Porsche 911 (996) |
| 2002 | Jim Richards | Barry Oliver | Porsche 911 (996) |
| 2003 | Jim Richards | Barry Oliver | Porsche 911 (996) |
| 2004 | Tony Sullens | Julia Rabbett | Subaru Impreza WRX STi S202 |
| 2005 | Jason White | John White | Nissan Skyline GT-R |
| 2006 | Jim Richards | Barry Oliver | Porsche 911 GT2 CS (996) |
| 2007 | Tony Sullens | Julia Barkley | Subaru Impreza WRX Type RA (GC8) |
| 2008 | Steve Glenney | Bernie Webb | Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX RS |
| 2009 | Tony Quinn | Naomi Tillett | Nissan GT-R |
| Jason White | John White | Lamborghini Gallardo Reiter Super Trofeo Strata | |
| 2011 | Tony Quinn | Naomi Tillett | Nissan GT-R |
| 2012 | Jason White | John White | Lamborghini Gallardo Super Trofeo Stradale |
| 2013 | Jason White | John White | Lamborghini Gallardo Super Trofeo Stradale |
| 2014 | Jamie Vandenberg | Dennis Sims | Nissan GT-R |
| 2015 | Jason White | John White | Lamborghini Gallardo Squadra Corse |
Classic Competition
[edit]| Year | Driver | Navigator | Vehicle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Peter Fitzgerald | Michael Petersen | Porsche 356 |
| 1999 | Robert White | Angus Macleod | Sunbeam Tiger |
| 2000 | Jeremy Browne | Stella Plenderleith | Lancia Fulvia |
| 2001 | Paul Stuart | Mark Connolly | Porsche 911 |
| 2002 | Rex Broadbent | Michael Goedheer | Porsche 911 RSR |
| 2003 | Graham Copeland | Jon Siddens | Datsun 1800SSS |
| 2004 | Nick Ellis | Tracy Williams | Ford Escort RS2000 |
| 2005 | Michael Conway | Simon Gardiner | Ford Escort RS2000 |
| 2006[7] | Ian Morris | Alex Molocznyk | 1981 Alfa Romeo GTV6 |
| 2007[8] | Rex Broadbent | Michael Goedheer | 1974 Porsche 911 RS |
| 2008[9] | Rex Broadbent | Guy Lilleyman | 1974 Porsche 911 RS |
| 2009[10] | Rex Broadbent | Michael Goedheer | 1974 Porsche 911 RS |
| 2010[11] | Rex Broadbent | Chris Randell | 1974 Porsche 911 RS |
| 2011[12] | Rex Broadbent | Chris Randell | 1974 Porsche 911 RS |
| 2012[13] | Rex Broadbent | Chris Randell | 1974 Porsche 911 RS |
| 2013[14] | Donn Todd | Dean Tighe | 1971 Ford Capri Perana V8 |
| 2014[15] | Barry Faux | Therezia Mhajlovic | 1985 Mazda RX-7 |
| 2015[16] | Craig Haysman | Mary Hughes | 1981 Triumph TR7 |
| 2016[17] | Leigh Achterberg | Greg Fitzgerald | 1982 Porsche 944 |
Trophies Awarded
[edit]A Targa Trophy is awarded to the driver and co-driver/navigator of each crew that completes all stages within the specified time for their class of vehicle. In subsequent years, the trophy may be upgraded as follows:[18]
- Golden Targa Trophy - 3 consecutive regular trophies
- Platinum Targa Trophy - having achieved Gold then gaining another 3 consecutive regular trophies
- Diamond Targa Trophy - having achieved Platinum then gaining another 3 consecutive regular trophies
- Gold Diamond Targa Trophy - having achieved Diamond then gaining another 3 consecutive regular trophies
- Platinum Diamond Targa Trophy - having achieved Gold Diamond then gaining another 3 consecutive regular trophies
Once achieving Platinum Gold, the competitor is inducted into the Targa Hall of Fame Legends
| Class | Competitors |
|---|---|
| Gold (3 successive regular) | Mary Hughes, Greg Fitzgerald, Suzanne Atkins, Steve Glenney, Scott Hunter, Trevor Macleod |
| Platinum (2 x gold) | Ian Wheeler, Peter Roberts, Angus Kennard, Neil Botha, Kim Burke, Damien Grimwood |
| Diamond (3 x gold) | Naomi Tillett, Kelly Handley, Peter Ullrich, Max Warwick |
| Gold Diamond (4 x gold) | Doug Fernie, Simon Davison, Amanda Davison, Lee Harper |
| Platinum Diamond 5 x gold) | Geoff Taylor, Stephen Thatcher |
In 2019, Geoff Taylor (aged 73 ) was the only competitor to have competed in all events.[19]
In addition, each year the Denny Hulme Memorial Trophy is awarded to the competitor who exhibits tenacity to overcome adversity while completing the event. It was first awarded in 1993.
Notable competitors
[edit]Notable past and current competitors have included Andrew Miedecke, Barry Sheene, Bob Wollek, Denny Hulme, Dick Johnson, Glenn Ridge, Greg Crick, Gregg Hansford, Jack Brabham, Jim Richards, Jochen Mass, Steven Richards, Michael Doohan, Murray Walker, Neal Bates, Peter Brock, Peter Fitzgerald, Roger Clark, Rusty French, Sandro Munari, Stirling Moss, Alister McRae, Walter Röhrl and Eric Bana.[20] The first person with a spinal cord injury to compete in the rally was Australian wheelchair rugby player Nazim Erdem.[21]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Targa to test the best Canberra Times 1 May 1992 page 15
- ^ Targa Tasmania's over-cautious organisers threw out the rule brook and created chaos Canberra Times 8 May 1992 page 15
- ^ Targa racing in Australia to undergo hard reset with safety, speed changes to be enforced after competitors' deaths ABC News 28 February 2023
- ^ Targa Australia cancels road races indefinitely after split from governing body Drive.com.au 14 July 2023
- ^ Targa Tasmania is back Auto Action 12 November 2024
- ^ Targa Tasmania to return in full force next year, start line to move to Hobart Pulse Tasmania 12 November 2024
- ^ Targa Tasmania 2006 Results by Rally Results
- ^ Targa Tasmania 2007 Results by Rally Results
- ^ Targa Tasmania 2008 Results by Rally Results
- ^ Targa Tasmania 2009 Results By Rally Results
- ^ Targa Tasmania 2010 Results By Rally Results
- ^ Targa Tasmania 2011 Results By Rally Results
- ^ Targa Tasmania 2012 Results By Rally Results
- ^ Targa Tasmania 2013 Results By Rally Results
- ^ Targa Tasmania 2014 Results By Rally Results
- ^ Targa Tasmania 2015 Results By Rally Results
- ^ Targa Tasmania 2016 Results By Rally Results
- ^ "Targa Trophies". Targa Australia. Retrieved 2017-01-15.
- ^ "Geoff Taylor - 25 years of Targa Tasmania". Rally Sport Magazine. Retrieved 2021-08-14.
- ^ Targa Tasmania The Daily Telegraph 6 June 2008
- ^ "Nazim Erdem". Australian Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 19 June 2012.