Wikipedia

Targa Tasmania

For the rural locality near Launceston, see Targa, Tasmania.

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.

Targa Tasmania
CategoryRally
CountryTasmania, Australia
Inaugural event1992
Official Websitewww.targa.com.au

History

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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

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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:

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

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In 2016 the premier category changed from Modern to Showroom GT2.

Showroom GT4 Competition

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Showroom GT4 winners by year
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

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Showroom GT2 winners by year
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

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Modern competition winners by year
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

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Classic Competition winners by year
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

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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

2017 Trophy Classifications
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

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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

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References

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  1. ^ Targa to test the best Canberra Times 1 May 1992 page 15
  2. ^ Targa Tasmania's over-cautious organisers threw out the rule brook and created chaos Canberra Times 8 May 1992 page 15
  3. ^ Targa racing in Australia to undergo hard reset with safety, speed changes to be enforced after competitors' deaths ABC News 28 February 2023
  4. ^ Targa Australia cancels road races indefinitely after split from governing body Drive.com.au 14 July 2023
  5. ^ Targa Tasmania is back Auto Action 12 November 2024
  6. ^ Targa Tasmania to return in full force next year, start line to move to Hobart Pulse Tasmania 12 November 2024
  7. ^ Targa Tasmania 2006 Results by Rally Results
  8. ^ Targa Tasmania 2007 Results by Rally Results
  9. ^ Targa Tasmania 2008 Results by Rally Results
  10. ^ Targa Tasmania 2009 Results By Rally Results
  11. ^ Targa Tasmania 2010 Results By Rally Results
  12. ^ Targa Tasmania 2011 Results By Rally Results
  13. ^ Targa Tasmania 2012 Results By Rally Results
  14. ^ Targa Tasmania 2013 Results By Rally Results
  15. ^ Targa Tasmania 2014 Results By Rally Results
  16. ^ Targa Tasmania 2015 Results By Rally Results
  17. ^ Targa Tasmania 2016 Results By Rally Results
  18. ^ "Targa Trophies". Targa Australia. Retrieved 2017-01-15.
  19. ^ "Geoff Taylor - 25 years of Targa Tasmania". Rally Sport Magazine. Retrieved 2021-08-14.
  20. ^ Targa Tasmania The Daily Telegraph 6 June 2008
  21. ^ "Nazim Erdem". Australian Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 19 June 2012.
  1. http://www.targatasmania.com.au/Results/Past [1]
  2. http://www.targatasmania.com.au/ [2]
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