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Targa Newfoundland rally airs on SPEED today!
Every gearhead has their own motorsports fantasy; some more exotic than others. One seemingly attainable event is the annual Targa Newfoundland rally that's held every September on over 2,000 km of tarmac covering the eastern and central parts of the island.This past year's event was another entertaining seven day adventure, with every manner of historical, classic and modern conveyance present and accounted for. For those that didn't follow the race last year or wanted to attend but couldn't, SPEED is airing an hour long show on the 2006 event today at 3:30 PM EST (12:30 PST).
Check it out and be sure to visit the Targa website for more details on this year's event.
Thanks for the tip, TinTin!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
John B 9:58AM (3/04/2007)
Thanks, but no thanks for the heads up. My damn cable provider in Toronto (Rogers) has substituted Turner Classic Movies for Speed Channel, which has been bumped into the digital channel universe (additional fee required).
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Joshua 10:21AM (3/04/2007)
John B; Quick! COMPLAIN!!! I did and I got digital cable free for a year. As a side effect you'll get a 2 month (or so) sample of BBC Canada. Yes that's right, that means you get Top Gear in your very own living room! Unfortunately they're all old repeats, but still it was fun (I didn't bother to order it one it lapsed). BTW I notice that Speed is still available analog but it's now on channel 43.
On the topic or Targa Newfoundland; it's a kickass event. I'd love to do it myself someday. What a great idea and if it continues I suspect that one day it will be one of the worlds major touchstone motorsports events (ala Isle of Mann).
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McGuffin 11:40AM (3/04/2007)
Targa Newfoundland is great. I was there and watching this year, I can only hope it's somewhere near as fun as seeing the cars in real life.
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John B 1:15PM (3/04/2007)
Joshua: Thanks for the suggestion. We must be in a different area as in North York, Rogers has moved Speed into the digital realm. Channel 43 remains the History Channel. Rogers also moved CNN Headline News somewhere else and replaced it with BBC World. I'm not missing the former but the latter unfortunately doesn't carry Top Gear.
Based upon someone else's suggestion, I'm considering Star Choice satellite although I don't know how this will affect my high speed cable internent.
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Frick 1:16PM (3/04/2007)
uh... they actually race in that hell hole called newfoundland? I spent almost a year in that sh!t hole... NEVER EVER will I return. That place has (officially) the worst weather in canada, and canada certainly is not known for its sunny weather... so you know what that means.
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Barney 1:24PM (3/04/2007)
"NEVER EVER will I return." Thanks Frick! You won't like the west coast either. It snowed here twice already this year. Now it's time to tend to the garden.
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Frick 2:16PM (3/04/2007)
and why would you assume I am NOT from the west coast? I live in canada, buddy....
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tom servo 3:59PM (3/04/2007)
Hey Frick.....good riddance, wont be looking for ya back with that attitude...
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Barney 6:32PM (3/04/2007)
I live in canada, buddy....
Sorry to hear that Frick!
It sure was a great race though and you didn't even have to be there for everyone to enjoy it.
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Barney 6:38PM (3/04/2007)
"I'm considering Star Choice satellite although I don't know how this will affect my high speed cable internent."
I have Star Choice and did get the race but forewarn you that weather will effect your reception. If you go to it just switch over to ADSL. I highly recommend ADSL.
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Frick 8:10PM (3/04/2007)
Yah, I'm sorry to hear that too Barney... thank god however that there are better places here than the nuffiland... Apperently the nuffies noticed that as well, since they are moving out of the province in the thousands... good for them; They certainly are in a desperate need of some gene pool variety...
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Barney 8:39PM (3/04/2007)
11. Yah, I'm sorry to hear that too Barney...
Actualy you can leave. I however prefer Canada. NFL is one of the prettiest places on earth and the people there are most hospitable. I too spent time on the east coast and hope to visit again. Perhaps the next Targa will be the ideal time. As far as the gene pool goes, I can't imagine Newfies being comfortable in Northern Alberta. I'm origionaly from there and it appears the bars are the only highlight.
Targa 2007 looks to be yet another impressive race. It would appear anyone with a Suburu will get a discount on the admission fee. Suburu has been very good at providing mechanical help to ALL entrants.
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tom servo 9:40PM (3/04/2007)
Hey Frick....frak you.....what's the good in a varied gene pool when it produces an ignoramus like yourself? On a per capita basis alone where ever you have the pleasure of residing certainly contains (in sheer numbers) a lot more idiots like yourself than in Newfoundland....where's the better place to live, one where you are only slightly inconvenienced by fools like yourself, or one where you run across idiots every few minutes? Do the math...
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Frick 11:03PM (3/04/2007)
I know, I know servo... the truth always hurts...
So tell me, are your mom and dad related?
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Tom Servo 7:39AM (3/05/2007)
Oooooo good one, too brilliant a come back for me, you win Frick...
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mojojojo 11:54AM (3/05/2007)
MINI's always kick ass at targa. Go MINI!
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Barney 12:38AM (3/06/2007)
Wasn't it a Mini that flipped end over end or was it another? There were a few cars that preformed some acrobatics. I couldn't believe the one that went into the bay still finished the race.
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OjNK 9:17AM (3/06/2007)
It wasn an Echo Hatchback that flipped. The only wrecked Mini lost it on a crest and plowed nose first into a tree.
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Slyder 9:55AM (3/14/2007)
Frick, congratulations, I have been to Newfoundland and competed in Targa 4 times, already planning for the 5th. You are the first a$$hole I have ever heard slam the place. Newfoundland by far is the prettiest place on the planet, and the people there could teach the rest of the world about how to behave and treat others. Newfoundlanders are the friendliest people I have ever met, and I am proud to have met many of them. You sound like a miserable b%stard, and should probably do society a favour, and off yourself. To anyone thinking of entering Targa Newfoundland, do it, it will change your life. It is by far the most fun you can have, with or without your clothes on. Any largely, its the people of Newfoundland who make the event so great. I really think people make fun of Newfoundland, to keep it a secret, so others won't come there.
Slyder
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herringchoker 4:07PM (3/17/2007)
Every motorsport enthusiast should aim to do this at least once. It's that good.
As someone who's done both, can I recommend doing the Grand Touring event before attempting Targa.
1 - The learning curve is less steep. You can figure out how the event works and what the roads are like to drive and navigate without the pressure of the fullbore Targa. While a 140 kph max on stages is less than the 200 kph in Targa, on some town stages you'll still be driving pretty quickly. And learning to arrive at the finish line within a time window will help you learn to work effectively with your driver/co-driver. (Effective communication is a vital skill for the fullbore Targa).
2 - Lower cost: You'll still need a good helmet, but no rollcage, fire-resistant suit and all the rest.
Weather? Don't plan on using slicks. Of 5 competitive days, usually at least a couple are wet. The 2004 Targa had three days of the hottest weather in Canada at the time (high 30s C). As you saw in the 2006 Targa video, we had one day of wind and rain from the tail of Hurricane Florence.
Anyone who's competed in Targa NL has nothing but praise for the way the locals have pitched in to help them stay in the event. Garages, welding shops and tire shops have stayed open all hours.
These folks really have performed above and beyond, as have the 70+ communities and 2,500 or so volunteer marshals who make the event possible.
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