JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR AWARD - presented by Jaguar Canada
Entry Number 2: The Birth of a Rally - the Targa Newfoundland
Targa
Newfoundland Set to Go
By
Jim Kenzie
World
Exclusive
In
our story in the May 2001 issue of Prestige Wheels on theTarga
Tasmania, “the ultimate tarmac rally'” for vintage cars that has been a
giant financial boon to Australia's island state, I concluded that the only
other place in the world where something
Being
an island would help, since isolation tends to generate
In
other words, Newfoundland.
Later
this month, a press conference will be held to announce that
The
rally will be run by Newfoundland International Motorsports Limited (hereafter,
NIML), a body specifically set up for this event, and Octagon Motorsports, the
Tasmania-based division of
Bob
Giannou of St. John's, one of two principals in NIML, is a long-time car racer
and race organizer - he put together the
Doug
Mepham, owner and driver of the 1970 Volvo 142S in which
"What
are you talking about?'' he asked Mepham.
"Didn't
you read the story?''
"Not
yet.''
"Read
it, especially the last paragraph, and call me back.''
He
did.
The
wheels were set in motion.
In
a few short months, Giannou and his group have signed a contract with Octagon.
They have general agreement from
It
really looks like this is going to happen.
"Everyone
has been incredibly helpful," Giannou told me by
NIML
have signed up Tom Snooks, Clerk of the Course for Targa Tasmania - that's like
head referee for those of you unfamiliar with motorsport
officiating - to fulfill the same function for Targa Newfoundland.
Into
the mix they have brought John Large, who initiated the Targa Tasmania over ten
years ago, to make sure the principles of the
(Octagon,
pursuing higher-buck strategies, is slowly making the Targa
Tasmania into a more "professional'' event, encouraging
"Among
our strongest supporters have been the Avalon
"With
the proposed route we have mapped out, fully seven of
"It
is estimated that the direct benefit of Targa Newfoundland, dollars coming in to
the province that otherwise would not be here, will be about five million,"
Giannou noted. "The 'roll-up' - ancillary
Not
bad for an economically-challenged province - most of it rolling over a period
of about nine
days.
"To
ensure safety and liability issues were covered, the first
"We
don't have as many small towns to run the event through as
"We're
looking at a maximum of 200 entrants the first year. We
(Giannou,
a St. John's native, did NOT say "from away".)
"Targa
Tasmania draws the majority of its 300-odd entrants from
How
about 50 or so local entrants?
"Well,
rallying may not be a really big deal here right now," he replied, "but
we do have a very strong antique car community. We will conduct rally schools in
the spring to encourage local people
It
is important to note, said Doug Mepham, my driver in the 2001
"In
this year's Targa Tasmania," he reminded me, "we had a 1914
"If
the car runs on its own power, passes safety inspection, and has at least some
historical significance, chances are there's a class and category for it. 1965
Ford Galaxie 500 with supercharged engine? 1970 AMC Javelin? Mini? BMW? And in
previous years, a 1956 Buick? 'No worries', as they say down there.
"One
team in this year's Targa had never been in a rally before. The owner had a roll
bar, racing seats and safety harnesses
(Say
- does anybody know where there's a functioning Manic
Giannou
outlined the planned schedule. "The event will start on Friday, September
13 - auspicious day, eh? - with a ferry ride for off-shore competitors from
North Sydney, Nova Scotia, just like
"There'll
be a 'show 'n' shine' event for spectators at Mile One
"Monday
we'll run the 'prologue', a short stage to seed the field according to speed."
As
with Targa Tasmania, the slower cars will run first, so the
"Tuesday,
Day One will run through the North Avalon Peninsula
"Wednesday,
the Burin Peninsula, leading to Marystown.
"Sunday,
we'll have another show event in Mile One Centre, then the awards banquet that
night.
"We
will run about 400 - 420 kilometres a day, with about twenty
"Ross
Wood and Jean Bellefleur, who make up one of Canada's
The
next step will be final approval of all the details by various government
officials - "Dotting i's, crossing t's, conducting due diligence,"
explained Giannou.
Then,
the formal announcement.
"It's
not a one-off deal, either," noted Giannou. "We have signed a
"I've
been talking this up everywhere I can, ever since Doug
"We
keep getting support and encouragement from different
sources,"
concluded Giannou. "I went to a Rotary Club meeting
"And
a couple of people from one of the Zone Economic Boards
I'm
not sure Newfoundland actually needs "saving'".
But
there's going to be one heck of a party there next September.
If
you have a car that qualifies, contact Bob Giannou at 709 722 2413 during
business hours (remember, it's actually one and half hours earlier in
Newfoundland), or fax 709 722 1116.
The
web site should be up within a couple of weeks; Giannou will
If
you DON'T have a car that qualifies, go get one.
Trust
me.
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