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Lexus returning to Targa Newfoundland with GS 450h
At last year's Targa Newfoundland, driver Mark Lachapelle brought his Lexus GS 450h -- yeah, that's a hybrid -- home 18th overall, and sixth in his division. This year he'll return to the 2,200-kilometer race which runs over six days through the central and eastern part of the island.
The 339 hp Lexus is the only one of last year's hybrid contestants to return, and is kitted for duty with just a safety cage, performance exhaust and upgraded shock absorbers. Slotted into the modern division, this year's race will pit the Japanese hybrid against big bore Americana: among other competitors, Ralph Gilles and Karen Wagner are scheduled to drive a Dodge Challenger SRT in the same class.
Targa Newfoundland runs from September 13-20, and if you want to keep up with the action in a timely manner, check out Autonet.ca. For you French speakers, go to the French version of Autonet.ca, or PassionPerformance.ca.
[Source: Lexus]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Torrent 4:44PM (9/13/2008)
That car skin is horrible. It makes the Chevy Tahoe's H-Y-B-R-I-D letters on the side look good.
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KeatMP 4:52PM (9/13/2008)
I actually don't mind the look of the H-Y-B-R-I-D badging on the side of the tahoe, mainly because its subtle, but if I owned one... I would definitely remove the loud green HYBRID badging on the back and front windows...
As for the lexus....ya...overkill would be a good word...
Franz 5:08PM (9/13/2008)
Meh... It's a race car. Obnoxious color scheme means it'll get noticed... and I think that's the point. If it does horribly, they'll wish they hadn't though. ;)
elpepe 5:35PM (9/13/2008)
Targa Newfoundland? wow these guys better bring some serious rain tires. They must work well in rain + cold + wind, while heavily depressed ;)
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Kyledl 6:39PM (9/13/2008)
shouldnt be a problem for the AWD GS
Kyledl 6:40PM (9/13/2008)
g
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Kyledl 6:40PM (9/13/2008)
..
sam 8:44PM (9/13/2008)
Woohoo - Targa Newfoundland on Autoblog. I saw this car on my way home from work on Friday - couldn't get a good look at the model but i knew it was a Lexus. Looking forward to seeing the highlights. The racing starts tomorrow and there have been a couple car shows already. I've got a few pics on my flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/samuelrussell/sets/72157607251586376/ (if you're at all interested)
http://www.samalamadingdong.com
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Franz 12:34AM (9/14/2008)
Nice pics dude.
wez 2:21AM (9/14/2008)
When I first heard of this I thought "what do fisherman know about holding a race...gotta be a waste".
This has got to be one of the best races on the continent or off as it is an Island. Great variety of cars. events, people, terrain, and excitement. The hour long
segment I watched on the tube was one of the most entertaining races I had watched in a long while. Especially after the Porsche took a wrong turn and
ended up in the bay.
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BigRedSpecial 10:21AM (9/14/2008)
Lot more than just fishermen here you know...
Tony 10:06PM (9/14/2008)
The Targa Newfoundland is one of the last truly great races, up there with The Isle of Man TT races, and any WRC event. I truly hope the Newfoundland government stays out of this race and doesn't shut it down due to Political Correctiveness
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wes 12:03AM (9/16/2008)
Quote "Lot more than just fishermen here you know..."
Yes I forgot about Premier Danny Williams now that's entertainment!
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