ST. JOHN'S March 8^th, 2010 - Known as the "Hub of the Bay" one of the oldest and most historic towns in Newfoundland will join the Targa family of communities. Carbonear, a town which was founded some 400 years ago in the early 1600's has agreed to bring what is arguably one of Newfoundland most modern and exciting events to the town.  Carbonear will work with Targa Newfoundland to create and run a competitive stage in the town during the annual September motorsport classic, event organizers have announced.

The approximately 7.00-kilometre Targa stage will run through the heart of the historic Town of Carbonear and will become one of the critical final stages of the 2010 event. Carbonear town council approved a motion to host Targa at a meeting on February 15, 2009.  The event will be coming to the town for the first time.

The new stage to be held on Friday September 17^th and has been designed to be a very challenging "town" stage which will set the standard of competition for the balance of the final day of the event.  The stage will be new to all the competitors and will be a real thrill for the fans.  In previous years, the results of the stages held on the final day of competition strongly influence the outcome of the event for both the Targa and Grand Touring categories.

"We appreciate that the community is bringing Targa Newfoundland to Carbonear, and we wish to thank Mayor Slade, his council as well as their staff for the working with us to accomplish this," said Targa organizer Robert Giannou. "We know that Targa has a positive economic impact on the province and on communities along the route, and we are pleased that Carbonear will become part of the Targa family."

"We hope that thousands of TriCon peninsula spectators and fans will be able to travel to Carbonear to watch our Targa stage and enjoy our town's hospitality" said Mayor Slade "We have worked closely with Targa to choose a route that will be exciting as well as challenging. We welcome Targa and look forward to assisting them in providing this world class entertainment."

Owned and operated by Newfoundland International Motorsports Limited, Targa Newfoundland is one of three internationally recognized Targa motorsports events in the world. The 9^th annual Targa Newfoundland will start in St. John's on Saturday, September 11, 2010, and end back in the capital Saturday, September 18. The competition will cover more than 2,000 kilometres of the challenging, twisty roads of the central and eastern portion of Newfoundland, including up to 450 kilometres of closed-road, flat-out Targa stages.

Competitors have come from the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Holland, Germany, the Bahamas, Turks & Caicos and the U.K. for the first editions of Targa Newfoundland and international interest continues to build with competitors registering daily.

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Contact:

Media: Doug Mepham 613-966-4969  d.mepham@bellnet.ca

Competitors: Melissa Crummey 709-722-2413 melissa@targanewfoundland.com

Sponsors: Scott Giannou 709-722-2413  scott@targanewfoundland.com

 Mark your calendars... you don't want to miss this!

The one hour TV production on Targa Newfoundland 2009 will debut on SPEED Saturday March 27 at 6PM Eastern. 

It will also air on MotorsTV Saturday March 27.  Times vary depending on location so be sure to check your listings for MotorsTV on March 27th to get the proper time.

Mark your calendars! You don't want to miss this..

TSN showings of the Targa Newfoundland 2009 Production

Saturday March 6th 12:30-13:30 Eastern Time Premier Showing

Thursday March 11th 13:00-14:00 Eastern Time

Saturday March 13th 00:30-01:30 Easter Time

TSN2 showings of the Targa Newfoundland 2009 Production

Saturday March 6th 15:30-16:30 Estern Time Premier Showing

Thursday March 11th  16:00-17:00 Eastern Time

Saturday Mar 13th 03:30-04:30 Eastern Time

Click here for a sneek peek http://www.youtube.com/targaNLrace

Don't miss it,  The 2009 TV production will air Saturday, March 6th on TSN 1230-1330 Eastern.  (1400 -1500 Newfoundland time)

More dates/stations to follow..stay tuned for details.

1981 Porsche 911 SC, Category 4: Post Classic

• Multi-time class winner and top 10 finishing car!
• Exceptionally well prepared turn-key Targa competition car.
• Complete with numerous spares & parts

For more details contact Scott Giannou (cell) 709-743-6161 or (email) scott@targanewfoundland.com

Check it out! A 30-second video teaser from Targa Newfoundland 2009!

Click here to view

http://www.youtube.com/targaNLrace

Effective immediatly, the following changes are made to the Rules and Regulations for 2010-2014.

2. THE TARGA COMPETITION
2.8 Transit Sections and Traffic
- Transit sections are part of the Targa experience. They are the driving sections where the normal rules of the road apply that connect competition stages. They must be driven in the registered competition car unless written permission to do otherwise is granted by the Clerk of the Course.

- Towns are considered "quiet zones" unless part of a Targa stage. Competitor and crew vehicles must be driven within the posted speed limits so as not to annoy residents. Service Crewmembers found to have broken the law may subject their entrants to discipline by the Stewards up to exclusion from the event.

5. TECHNICAL AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

5.14 Windows

• Vehicles that are equipped with "T" tops are permitted to retain the original removable panels provided that the materials used are made of laminated safety glass. If not they must be covered with an adhesive plastic material that will prevent shattering or replaced entirely by a shatterproof material.

5.16.4 Fuel Type and Acceptable Fuel Suppliers

• Only commercially available pump gasoline and diesel fuel, purchased from designated retail fuel outlets in Newfoundland, is permitted. E85 fuel, purchased from designated Newfoundland based retailers, is permitted.
• For 2010 competitors that wish to compete in vehicles that use fuels with octane ratings higher than permitted by these rules may apply for an exemption. If they are granted such an exemption they shall be subject to a time penalty of 10 seconds per day which shall be added to the stage raw time. Should a stage be downgraded or scrubbed then the time penalty for the day shall be reduced accordingly, i.e.: On an eight stage day the 10 second per day penalty be reduced by 1/8 or 1.25 secs. This reduction does not apply should the competitor miss a stage.

6. Vehicle Technical Requirements

6.7.1 Tread Wear and Markings

• All tires to be used in the Targa competition, except the Temporary Spare, shall have the following markings molded on the sidewall: manufacturer's name, tire model, size, speed rating, load index, USA ‘D.O.T' approval and serial number, and must have a UTQG Treadwear rating of 140 or numerically higher.
• Competitors entering vehicles using OES 14 inch or smaller diameter wheels may apply to the organizer for a specific tire exemption to this regulation which would permit the vehicle to compete with a non-UTQG rated tire or a tire with a rating less than 140, provided that the nominated tire(s) is approved for highway use in a recognized jurisdiction and meets all of the other requirements of these regulations. Note: To qualify for this exemption, the vehicle's OES tire diameter shall not exceed the exemption diameter limit. Vehicles with larger OES tire diameters, may not apply for the exemption even if they are currently fitted with a smaller tire. If an exemption is granted, the team shall be subject to a time penalty of 12 seconds per day. This penalty shall apply to all stages run in road conditions 1 or 2. If a stage is run in condition 3 the penalty shall not apply. Should a stage be downgraded or scrubbed then the penalty shall be reduced accordingly, i.e.: On an eight stage day the 12 second per day penalty be reduced by 1/8 or 1.50 secs. This reduction does not apply should the competitor miss a stage. The application of this exemption may be reviewed after the 2010 event.

6.11.18

• Batteries may be relocated from their OES location. The size and style of battery (i.e. Lead-acid, gel cell, etc.) is free. Also see 5.11.

10. TIMING, SCORING, PENALTIES AND FINES

10.1 Routebooks

Competitors shall use the current year Route Books provided by the organizers as their primary source of navigation information. The current year Route Books may be annotated by the crew issued the books as they see fit. No other document, such as previous event route books, independently created safety notes, course notes or pace notes nor any notes provided by a third party, may be used for competitive stage navigation. Further, the carrying of any separate document containing additional information on the course is strictly prohibited. All annotated Route Books and materials regardless of format, carried in the vehicle, will be subject to inspections by officials. This means.....

a) Competitors can:
- Drive the course
- Make notes on what is seen
- Transcribe those notes to the current event route book when it is received
- Photograph the course

b) Competitors cannot use:
- Notes in an independent book
- Safety notes
- Pace notes
- Third party created notes
- Previous route books
- Separate documents with additional information.
Any competitor found to be in breach of these regulations or the spirit of them will be subject to discipline up to an including exclusion from the event.

Please click here to view the Rules and Regulations

It is now January 15th and time is a flying..... THE 1/40 DRAW IS JUST ABOUT FILLED. Who will get the last chances for the draw? We will see... BUT ENSURE YOUR ARE REGISTERED by calling Melissa or Robert at 1-877-332-2413 and book your chance now.

There are ONLY 15 DAYS LEFT until the ADVANCED DISCOUNT RATE EXPIRES. The Advanced Discount offers almost an $800, tax included, saving. This is almost $800 under the Regular Rate and that amount CAN GO straight to the bottom line of your Targa budget.

Wow! Incredible! Both these offers will both expire shortly. So don't loose the $800 savings or a the chance of winning a 50% discount with 1/40 odds to win. Call now at 1877-332 2413.

Targa Newfoundland will be attending the Canadian Motorsports Expo at the International Center in Toronto. January 22nd- 24th, 2010

Be sure to come visit us at booth #1219

See you there!

An agreement between the Autism Society of Newfoundland and Labrador and the annual Targa Newfoundland motorsports classic has created a powerful partnership that will raise funds and boost awareness of the overwhelming condition affecting children and adults across the province, the two organizations have announced.

The multi-year agreement will see the ASNL become the official charitable partner of Targa and the focus of the event's fund-raising efforts with competitors, fans, sponsors and the communities in the Targa family.

The ASNL will take over the spotlight at the demonstration stage around the Confederation Park facility in St. John's and assume the operation of the evening car shows in each of St. John's, Gander, Clarenville and Marystown. The agreement begins with the 9^th Annual Targa Newfoundland event this September.

"We have given our support or lent our name to a host of different charitable causes over the years, but none has touched us - or the communities in the Targa family - more deeply than the issue of autism and the work of the Autism Society of Newfoundland and Labrador," said Targa Newfoundland organizer Robert Giannou. "The urgent need to support those living with the disorder, and the centres of ASNL activity in the communities, is a good fit with Targa's ability to create the opportunity raise funds and build awareness. This a powerful partnership." 

"Targa Newfoundland is an ideal vehicle to drive awareness for the ASNL and its work in the communities where we've established a presence," explains society executive director Trish Williams. "The route for the rally is tailor-made for our expanding programming, and will help extend the reach of our message, and our support, for families and communities dealing with autism. We are very pleased with the potential for long-term benefits we see in our relationship with Targa Newfoundland."

Fund-raising is also a key element in the new agreement, Williams adds. "Funds raised at the evening car shows in each of the rally's overnight stops will be used to support programming in that community," she says. "The community benefits when it supports Targa, and we hope Targa benefits from the support of the communities."

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurological developmental disorder that affects development and functioning of the brain.  Individuals with ASD may not display any visible signs of the affliction but they see, hear and sense things differently, affecting their ability to reason, to communicate and to interact with others.  The rapid increase in diagnosis of autism in Newfoundland and Labrador is a growing concern, with the incidence being approximately 1 in 132.

An event to kick-off the new partnership will be staged on Thursday, December 17, 2009, at the Elaine Dobbin Centre for Autism, 70 Clinch Crescent in St. John's. The event begins at noon and will host society members, media and guests from the world of government and business.

Elaine Dobbin is the patron of the society.  Well known throughout Canada for her efforts on behalf of worthy causes in Newfoundland and Labrador, Dobbin was recently recognized as Philanthropist of the Year by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Newfoundland and Labrador Chapter.

The Elaine Dobbin Centre for Autism at Shamrock Farm brings together many resources, strategies and skills to improve life for people with ASD, and provides services across Newfoundland and Labrador.  There is a plan in place to pilot programs from the Centre to the various Chapters of ASNL and communities throughout the province.  In October of 2007, the organization's first satellite office opened in Grand Falls-Windsor.  In 2009, an office opened in Clarenville and plans are ongoing for a Corner Brook office to open in 2010.

Popular Clarenville stage returns to Targa Newfoundland 2010

ST. JOHN'S (December 9, 2009) - One of the most popular stages in the history of Targa Newfoundland will return to the September motorsport classic next year, rally organizers have announced.

The 4.99-kilometre Targa stage through the Town of Clarenville will cap the critical third day of the competition for the 2010 event. Clarenville town council approved a motion to host Targa at a meeting December 8, 2009.   The event will be returning to the town after a one-year absence. It is the eighth year that Targa Newfoundland has included Clarenville in its schedule.

The event will have an overnight stop in the town at the conclusion of the stage on Wednesday, September 15, 2010, culminating with the traditional evening car show and other Targa activities at the newly opened Clarenville Events Center.

The stage is much-loved by veteran competitors for the physical demands of its challenging route and its enthusiastic fans. In previous years, the results of the stage have also influenced the outcome of the Targa competition.

"We appreciate the efforts of the community to bring Targa back to Clarenville, and to the mayor and council for the thoughtful deliberation that went into this decisions," said Targa organizer Robert Giannou. "We know that Targa has a positive economic impact on the communities along the route, and we are pleased that Clarenville will take advantage of our long relationship."

"The thousands of Clarenville and Bonavista peninsula spectators and fans who traveled to Clarenville to watch and enjoy the event are part of the Targa family," Giannou added, "and we are happy to be back among our friends."

Owned and operated by Newfoundland International Motorsports Limited, Targa Newfoundland is one of three internationally recognized Targa motorsports events in the world. The 9^th annual Targa Newfoundland will start in St. John's on Saturday, September 11, 2010, and end back in the capital Saturday, September 18. The competition will cover more than 2,000 kilometres of the challenging, twisty roads of the central and eastern portion of Newfoundland, including up to 450 kilometres of closed-road, flat-out Targa stages.

Competitors have come from the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Holland, Germany, the Bahamas, Turks & Caicos and the U.K. for the first editions of Targa Newfoundland and international interest continues to build with competitors registering daily.

-30-

Contact:

Media: Doug Mepham 613-966-4969 d.mepham@bellnet.ca

Competitors: Registrar 1-877-332-2413 info@targanewfoundland.com 

Sponsors: Scott Giannou 709-722-2413 scott@targanewfoundland.com

Win 50% off your entry into the 9th annual Targa Newfoundland!

September 11-18^th, 2010

Be one of the first 40 people to register for Targa Newfoundland 2010

and you could win 50% off your entry fee*

For registration information please click here

*Valid for the 2010 event only. No cash surrender value.

Check someone off your Christmas List with Targa Newfoundland merchandise.

All 20% OFF

Click here for details

Give the gift of Targa Newfoundland for Christmas and receive for FREE a Melton Leather Jacket and 2008 DVD.

Click here for full details

I have today published the much-anticipated rules for Targa Newfoundland for the years 2010-2014 inclusive. This is the first major rules revision in five years, and like the previous technical rules and regulation, is intended to bring an element of predictability and stability to competitors building new cars or modifying existing cars for the event.

When we set out to prepare the 2010-2014 rules, we set several objectives. They were:

• To maintain the systems and spirit of the event
• To ensure that our existing corps of competitors were included
• To make the event more accessible for first-time and returning competitors
• To constrain the growth in speeds experienced in some classes
• To manage, to the extent practical, the current environmental impact of the event
• To prepare for future demands for enhanced environmental performance

I believe these rules meet our objectives.

Experienced competitors will see these rules as a logical evolution of the previous technical rules. There are neither radical departures in approach nor in technology. Some of the most profound changes - the restrictions on fuel and tires - were circulated nearly a year in advance of these rules. There should be few surprises.

The biggest change is not a revision to the technical regulations. It is a realignment of the classes within the Targa competition.  Effective with the 2010 event, there will be two Christos Awards for the two largest Divisions - Classic and Modern. There will be no overall winner. It has become increasingly difficult to devise factors that bring the myriad classes into some kind of equivalency resulting in an overall winner. As technology races ahead within the Modern Division, with features like active centre diffs, torque vectoring and sophisticated engine management for turbo ad non turbo engined cars, finding a way to give all entries a level playing field is almost impossible.

In concert with this change, Hybrid Division has been brought into Modern as a class. Targa Open Division will continue to exist as a platform for our most innovative entrants, but will have its own award and will not compete directly against either Classic or Modern.

There are also important changes to the sub-categories within both Classic and Modern, with the expansion to three the levels of permitted modification. The new regulations describe the requirements for Level 1 preparation (essentially stock with safety and minimal suspension modification), Level 2 preparation (improvements to suspension and drive train) and Level 3 (extensive modifications to suspension and drive train). Factors will be developed for each class and level of preparation.

A review of the class structure and the factors assigned to individual classes is also being conducted in parallel with the creation of the new rules. These revisions, which will be published shortly, will draw on our eight years of experience, reflect input from competitors and include lessons from other established Targa events. Viewed together, the evolved rules and the revised class alignment are an important step in maintaining a balance of the many interests and constituencies in the event: time-honoured technology and exciting new technology, Classic cars and Modern cars, today's competitors and tomorrow's competitors.

While a number of skilled and dedicated individuals have contributed to the creation of these rules, the responsibility for them begins and ends with the organizer. The Technical Committee, trusted outside resources, competitors with special expertise and other events all contributed heavily to these rules. If you view them favourably, credit them. If you disagree, blame me.

There will always be oversights, loose ends and items that didn't make it into the final draft. These will be dealt with in competitor bulletins. Please watch for them.

In conclusion, I believe these rules will help enhance competition and the experience of competing at Targa Newfoundland. Thanks for your support and we hope we will see you at the 2010 Targa Newfoundland.

Robert Giannou

To view the 2010-2014 Rules and Regulations in detail click on the following link 2010-2014 Rules

Please click on the following link to view the entry application and rates for 2010.

Targa Newfoundland 2009 ended the way it began - with a splash.

The rally covered its 2,200 kilometres with minimal incident. Mechanical failure removed more competitors from the course than driving incidents, and although some switched catagory from Targa to Grand Touring, almost all who started the event drove across the finish line at the Keg Friday evening.

Friday was a rough-and-tumble rush away from Marystown, including the debut of the new Boat Harbour to Petite Forte stage which impressed even in Friday's rain-soaked state and the final run along the traditional Marine Drive course.

When the skies cleared, provisional results showed Roy Hopkins and Adrienne Hughes had come from behind Thursday's leaders to grab their third overall win in a row.

"He deserves to be where he is," said Ross Wood, clerk of the Targa Newfoundland course.

"We were very pleased with the level of competition this year. Rain on the final day certainly made changes, but the veterans always seem to find a way."

The managed to clear all stages penalty-free for the final two days in their 1969 BMW 2002, while Thursday's leaders Glen Clarke and Andy Proudfoot took on two minutes and 39 seconds in the wet to drop out of contention.

Michael Stoschek of Coburg, Germany, and co-driver Philipp Spaeth of Lake Orion, Mich., held on to second place in their 1965 Porsche 911.

Steve Millen and Mike Monticello were the cream of the Modern crop, sixth overall with 1:20 in penalties.

In Grand Touring, the BMW 325i-driving team of Ferdinand and Chrisoph Trauttmansdorff held stayed penalty-free for the whole event, clearing the only zero score of the event.

As the scoring team finalized results for 2009, planning is already underway for Targa 2010; dates to be anounced.

If it's Thursday it must be Marystown - and Garnish and Fortune and the sweeping stages of Harbour Mille.

Competitors rose to frosty windshields in the morning, but it was a bright day of long straights and tight town stages that started with a competitor favourite, a bracing run through Little Bay East to a hearty breakfast at Harbour Mille, then back out for the first of the town stages.

The long beach of Frenchman's Cove gave lots of people a chance the make up time lost in the tighter bits, but in the end, only three Targa teams finished the day without adding penalty points. A change in Leg 3 scoring gave Glen Clarke and Andy Proudfoot a four-second penalty, but they do hold on to the overall lead.

"We've been on the Burin of seven years," said Robert Giannou, president and CEO of Newfoundland International Motorsports Ltd., "and this has been one of the best years every recorded from Targa both from a safety and a competition point of view."

That holds true for the Grand Touring competition as well, where the BMW 325i-driving team of Ferdinand and Chrisoph Trauttmansdorff can claim the only clean slate.

Leg 5 starts bright and early at Boat Harbour Friday with a brand new stage into Petit Forte, and puts another Targa Newfoundland into the books back in St. John's.

 The weather co-operated Wednesday, but the backroads of Newfoundland are presenting their usual challenges at Targa 2009.

Forty-nine competitors started Leg 3 at Gander, down from the 52 that left St. John's just two days earlier. By lunch, it looked like two more teams were out, but only one of the teams didn't log a finish at Gooseberry Cove before heading to Vernon Smith's spectacular Toy Shop at Swift Current.

While the stages from the airport town took a bit less of a mechanical toll on the Targa parade, the timing clocks were another story.

According to unofficial results, only four teams managed to finish the without collecting penalty seconds, including overall and Classic leaders Glen Clarke and Andy Proudfoot who sit alone penalty free for the three days.

Modern leader Steve Millen took another six seconds of penalty but held on to a 21-second gap over the next modern car Porsche GT3 RS of Tom Collingwood and navigator Chris Collingwood.

Cars leave the Marystown arena at 8 a.m. Thursday for stages around the Burin Peninsula, returning to the stadium for a second car show Thursday night.

Owned by Newfoundland International Motorsports Limited, and operated by Targa Newfoundland Motorsport Club, Targa Newfoundland is one of three internationally recognized Targa motorsports events in the world. The 8th annual Targa Newfoundland will start and end in St. John's and will cover more than 2,000 kilometres of the challenging, twisty roads of the central and eastern portion of the island of Newfoundland over six days, including up to 400 kilometres of closed-road, flat-out Targa stages. Competitors have come from the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Germany, Turks and Caicos, the Bahamas and the U.K.

The rain threatened to bless Targa Newfoundland competitors for Leg 2 Tuesday, but the skies cleared and left drivers and spectators cheering by the end of the day.The sun even peeked out for the jewel of the stage - lunch at Leading Tickles. Although, the drivers would likely argue the day's final run through the streets of Gander is the real treasure.

With the second day in the books, the overall lead has solidified, unofficially, with Glen Clarke and stage homeboy Andy Proudfoot logging the soul zero for the day on that final stage.

Division leaders also emerged at the end of the long day, with Clarke's Porsche 911 Carrera. Steve Millen and navigator Mike Montiello has the best time in Modern, accumulating six seconds of penalty.The Touring class proved a challenge as well, although there are still eight teams showing no penalty points.

Five cars didn't make it back to the Gander Community Centre, mostly succumbing to the rigours of the Newfoundland roads. However, the Subaru Impreza of Roger Tillotson and Steve Robertson did roll off the course in Pleasentview. Navigator Robertson was injured, but he was sharing his new war story, with a laugh, beside a very injured car carrying its latest sign. It said Yard Sale.

Leg 3 begins Wednesday morning with a stage in Mainpoint, and calls it a day in Marystown. Owned by Newfoundland International Motorsports Limited, and operated by Targa Newfoundland Motorsport Club, Targa Newfoundland is one of three internationally recognized Targa motorsports events in the world. The 8th annual Targa Newfoundland will start and end in St. John's and will cover more than 2,000 kilometres of the challenging, twisty roads of the central and eastern portion of the island of Newfoundland over six days, including up to 400 kilometres of closed-road, flat-out Targa stages. Competitors have come from the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Germany, Turks and Caicos, the Bahamas and the U.K.

For daily updates, results and images see www.targanewfoundland.com

Inquiries: (709) 722-2413

The Subaru is back in the event this morning with Marc Lachapelle behind the wheel with service guru, come navigator, Stewart Hoo joining him.  Keith Townsend hopes to re-join the event later today but stayed in St. John's for further checks today.

Targa Newfoundland spokesperson & President Robert Giannou is pleased to advise that Marc Lachapelle & navigator, Keith Townsend are both fine and have been released from hospital.

Car 906, a Subaru Impreza WRX Sti, had an incident on the first stage of the Prologue in Flatrock today. As per the safety procedures of Targa Newfoundland, both men were transported to the hospital and checked out by medical personnel.

At this time, there is no word on the condition of the vehicle and whether they will be on the road in the morning.

Ready, Set, Go!

The 8^th annual Targa Newfoundland is ready, set, go with a field of 60 cars taking it to the rugged terrain of Newfoundland.  The seven day event begins Saturday in St. John's with a day for tech to ensure all cars meet their safety requirements and are competing in the correct class.  Tech day is the day competitors get to know one another, share stories of previous Targa's, coach the rookies, buy last minute parts and try to shake the jitters before Sunday's Prologue.

The official start is slated for Noon Sunday from the beautiful St. John's waterfront.  Competitors then transit to Flatrock where they'll complete the two prologue stages, have lunch at a local school and then transit to Confederation Building for the Capital Automotive Group/Goodyear Superstage.  The prologue offers competitors an opportunity to get the bugs out, ensure their communication gear is working, test their rally computers and get their nerves in check!  The prologue also sets the starting order for the first Targa stage on Day 1.

Event organizer Robert Giannou is excited about the event's return to the City of St. John's. 

"This is the first time since 2005 we've run a stage in the City and we are delighted to be back!  The Superstage will provide spectators with a firsthand look at the event and we are anticipating record crowds."  The Superstage starts at 2:00pm local time.

Competitors will cover over 2,000 kilometers and drive 47 closed road stages over the next week, finishing on the St. John's waterfront, Friday, September 18^th at 5:45pm.  "The Targa family of communities has remained consistent over the last few years but we are thrilled to have Boat Harbour, Petite Forte and Harbour Grace joining with us this year", says Giannou.  Several other stages, although in the same communities, have been reworked to provide competitors with more challenge and excitement.

With over half the field returning and half the field first-timers, it will be exciting to see if experience will pay off again this year.  One competitor to watch is Steve Millen, a motorsport legend, competing in a Nissan R35 GT-R.  Millen's racing bio reads like an encyclopedia - check it out at www.stillen.com

Owned by Newfoundland International Motorsports Limited, and operated by Targa Newfoundland Motorsport Club, Targa Newfoundland is one of three internationally recognized Targa motorsports events in the world. The 8^th annual Targa Newfoundland will start and end in St. John's and will cover more than 2,000 kilometres of the challenging, twisty roads of the central and eastern portion of the island of Newfoundland over six days, including up to 400 kilometres of closed-road, flat-out Targa stages. Competitors have come from the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Germany, Turks and Caicos, the Bahamas and the U.K.

For daily updates, results and images see www.targanewfoundland.com

Inquiries: (709) 722-2413

Service Crew Guide 2009

Two experienced hands, a returning sophomore, a highly anticipated U.S. entry and a smart new name will fill out the roster of auto manufacturers converging on Targa Newfoundland 2009 in search of one of Canadian motorsports most elusive titles.

No fewer than five automakers have registered for this year's grueling five-day challenge. And while no manufacturer-supported entry has ever won the overall Targa competition, Division, Class and Category wins aplenty show that international car-makers are just a whisker away from capturing the ultimate prize. And to keep the competitive juices flowing, the SIRIUS Satellite Radio President's Cup intramural competition for manufacturers is also up for grabs.

Long-time Targa supporters and competitors Subaru Canada Inc. and BMW Group Canada's MINI division will both return with high-powered entries backed by experienced crews hungry for success.

For the seventh year in a row, a factory MINI Cooper S will take the ceremonial start on the St. John's waterfront on Sunday, September 13. And while the brilliant red MINI Cooper looks nearly identical to the popular car that twice won the prestigious Open Division and has been a Targa stalwart since 2004, this is an entirely new car. Targa Newfoundland co-founder, auto journalist and seven-time Targa veteran Jim Kenzie of Milton, Ontario, will debut a new 2009 MINI John Cooper Works Challenge car in this year's event with regular co-driver Brian Bourbonniere of Halifax calling the signals as co-driver.

The new car was purpose-built to take part in the John Cooper Works Challenge road racing series for identically prepared cars in Europe and been adapted to rally competition for Targa's grueling Open Division. A second factory MINI Cooper S Clubman entry, driven by Tom Thornton and Ron Bartleet of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, will compete in Grand Touring under the banner of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada.

Subaru, the other seven-year Targa supporter, returns with a familiar car and a new team behind the wheel. A highly evolved Subaru Impreza WRX STI will be entered in the Modern Division of the Targa competition, with automotive journalist Marc Lachapelle of Montreal behind the wheel and Keith Townsend of Toronto in the co-driver's seat. Among the most popular cars in all of Targa, the blazing blue Subaru has been optimized for Newfoundland's paved roads and boasts an improved powertrain for 2009. Lachapelle will make his third Targa start after moving over from last year's class-wining hybrid entry, while Townsend makes his first Targa appearance as co-driver after two very successful years as a driver - in a Subaru, of course.

Almost as popular as the car is the Subaru support team which not only keeps the car in fighting trim for the week but also helps out teams of all stripes with service, parts and advice while delighting children all along the route with a seemingly endless supply of posters, decals and autographs.

Returning for a second year under the Audi Canada banner is the "awesome Audi" of Frank Sprongl of Georgetown, Ontario, and Rod Hendricksen of New Jersey. A genuine fire-breathing, ear-piercing, pavement churning monster from the 1980s heyday of the Group B rally cars, the Audi is making a second appearance at Targa as part of the German company's celebration of 100 years of history and heritage. Last year, driver Sprongl and co-driver Hendricksen captured Targa's rugged Open Division with the car, muscling their way past modern competitors and amazing fans along the route.

The entry reunites Sprongl with the marque that made him famous. Driver Frank, of Georgetown, Ontario, and co-driver/brother Daniel Sprongl dominated Canadian rallying with their multiple championships and countless competition wins in a series of Audi cars. Indeed, Frank won the famous Mt. Washington Hillclimb in the car that will make the trek to the start of the 8th Annual Targa Newfoundland.

Two newcomers with very different approaches will join the field when it takes the ceremonial start in St. John's.

Perhaps the most anticipated entry of 2009 is the Nissan North America-supported Nissan GT-R from California motorsports specialists Stillen in cooperation with Road & Track magazine. Driver Steve Millen has a long list of race and rally victories and championships, and his company (Stillen) is converting the powerful and sophisticated Nissan for Targa competition and chronicling the effort for the magazine's readers and for its website http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=21&article_id=8014. The GT-R now weighs about one hundred kilograms less than stock, sports carbon ceramic brakes and makes over 600 horsepower.

Millen, and R&T feature editor/co-driver Mike Monticello, are a new partnership for Targa. Both men are from California. Millen has run in the annual Targa New Zealand in recent years but the 2009 Targa Newfoundland will be a first for both men.

But the biggest surprise - and the entry sure to be a fan favourite - is the 2009 smart fortwo cabriolet entered in the Grand Touring competition by Mercedes-Benz Canada. Likely the smallest car in the event, the versatile smart will play host to a rotating crew of drivers from a variety of national media outlets during the week. Although the roster of drivers hasn't been revealed, the diminutive smart is certain to attract attention for its clever design and surprising performance. The list of drivers will be unveiled before the start of the event.

Targa may be the first Canadian motorsport outing for the smart and an unexpected entry in this kind of event, but its compact dimensions, deft handling and fuel efficiency make it a good choice for a competition like Grand Touring, where the emphasis is on precision.

In addition to their Division and class battles, all of the manufacturer-sponsored cars will also compete for the SIRIUS Satellite Radio President's Cup, a prestigious award for overall results covering all vehicle classes. This competition was first sponsored by SIRIUS Satellite Radio in 2008, when Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada won the inaugural prize.

Owned and operated by Newfoundland International Motorsports Limited, Targa Newfoundland is one of three internationally recognized Targa motorsports events in the world. The 8^th annual Targa Newfoundland will start in St. John's on Saturday, September 12, 2009, and end back in the capital Saturday, September 19, and will cover more than 2,000 kilometres of the challenging, twisty roads of the central and eastern portion of the island of Newfoundland, including up to 400 kilometres of closed-road, flat-out Targa stages. Competitors have come from the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Holland, the Bahamas, Turks & Caicos and the U.K. for the first seven editions of Targa Newfoundland and international interest continues to build with competitors registering daily.

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Contact:

Media:        Doug Mepham 613-966-4969

                   d.mepham@bellnet.ca

Competitors:   Alexandra Healey 709-687-1150

                        alexandra@targanewfoundland.com

Sponsors:         Scott Giannou 709-722-2413

                        scott@targanewfoundland.com

Click here to view an overall map of the 2009 route.

Maximum MINI participation at Targa Newfoundland MINIFEST 2009

ST. JOHN'S (August 11, 2009) - It'll be hard to miss the Minis and the MINIs when Targa Newfoundland kicks off MINIFEST as part of the annual international motorsport classic here September 12, 2009.

With MINI designated the Honoured Marque for 2009, Targa will be awash in pictures, banners, parties and special events celebrating the 50^th anniversary of the tiny titan, all part of the 8^th annual rally. The heroic little cars will feature prominently on the event posters, programs, website and literature, while special MINI Corrals will be set up to display Mini and MINI competition cars and the street versions of the popular marque throughout the week-long event.

MINIFEST is the ideal platform for the introduction of a brand new MINI Canada entry in the competition, too.  Targa Newfoundland co-founder, auto journalist and seven-time Targa veteran Jim Kenzie will debut a new 2009 MINI John Cooper Works Challenge car in this year's event. With co-driver Brian Bourbonniere, the team will lead a fleet of Minis and MINIs in the Targa division of the annual classic.

As part of the celebrations, a special team has also been entered in the Grand Touring competition under the banner of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada. The team -Tom Thornton and Ron Bartleet of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario - are driving a MINI Cooper S Clubman model. The pair is a long-standing Big Brother (Tom) and Little Brother (Ron), who now volunteer their time to promote the Big Brothers Big Sisters reconnections.

A special two-day Hot Package has been created to allow Mini and MINI owners to share the limelight, with VIP access to the Sunday demonstration stage in St. John's, special stage access, Mini/MINI Corral participation, luncheon, dinner, clothing package and much more.

"We're working closely with MINI Canada to make this the best week anywhere for Mini and MINI owners, fans and friends," says Scott Giannou, head of sales and marketing for Targa. "If you love these cars like we do, Targa is the place to be in September!"

Whether it's spelled ‘Mini' (as in the British Motor Corporation-built Morris and Austin Mini that first appeared in 1959) or ‘MINI' (built in the UK since 2002 by BMW), the diminutive cars have captured the imagination of generations of enthusiasts who have put them to every imaginable test in competition. Both iterations of the car have been staples of Targa Newfoundland since its inception in 2002, and a modern MINI has twice won the tough Open Division competition - the first international victory for the newly-revived nameplate.

"No other car has so excited and entertained motorsport fans of all ages, created so much fun, for such a long period, and so caught and charged the imagination of so many people with so much delight," says Targa organizer Robert Giannou. "There have been faster cars at Targa, and more dramatic cars, but none have been as popular with the fans as the Mini."

Owned and operated by Newfoundland International Motorsports Limited, Targa Newfoundland is one of three internationally recognized Targa motorsports events in the world. The 8^th annual Targa Newfoundland will start in St. John's on Saturday, September 12, 2009, and end back in the capital Saturday, September 19, and will cover more than 2,000 kilometres of the challenging, twisty roads of the central and eastern portion of the island of Newfoundland, including up to 400 kilometres of closed-road, flat-out Targa stages. Competitors have come from the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Holland, the Bahamas, Turks & Caicos and the U.K. for the first seven editions of Targa Newfoundland and international interest continues to build with competitors registering daily.

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Contact:

Media: Doug Mepham 613-966-4969 d.mepham@bellnet.ca

Competitors: Alexandra Healey 709-687-1150 alexandra@targanewfoundland.com

Sponsors:Scott Giannou 709-722-2413 scott@targanewfoundland.com

Effective immediately!

Addendum 1 to Volume 2

All competitors past and present,

Due to high demand and the fast approching event we have placed our forum back up for your use. Please click on the following link to sign up http://www.targanewfoundland.com/phpbb2/

Is now available. Click here for details

New Targa route offers fresh driving challenge, organizer says

ST. JOHN'S (June 11, 2009) - The route for the 8^th annual Targa Newfoundland has been set and the September motorsports classic will offer more competitive stages, better competition and a new schedule.

The route for the 2009 Targa features new competitive stages in communities like Petite Forte, Boat Harbour and Harbour Grace, a return to competitor favourites like Brigus and Leading Tickles, and a schedule with just two locations for overnight stops in towns on the route.

"Targa is a constantly evolving event and the route changes to accommodate our partners in the communities, to take advantage of new and different driving challenges, and to keep the event fresh for competitors," explains Targa organizer Robert Giannou. "We've changed the route of the event every year and we expect that will always be the case."

One of the largest changes for 2009 is the addition of a second night in the Burin Peninsula. The rally will now overnight in Marystown for Wednesday, September 16 as well as Thursday, September 17. The move was made due to a change in the route in the lower Bonavista Peninsula that has the teams end the day Wednesday in Marystown rather than Clarenville.

Some stages from previous years were taken out of the 2009 schedule when communities on the route scheduled road repairs, while others were added. There are 42 competitive stages in all. At nearly 12 kilometres, the new Harbour Grace stage promises to be one of the most exciting of the event.

Owned and operated by Newfoundland International Motorsports Limited, Targa Newfoundland is one of three internationally recognized Targa motorsports events in the world. The 8^th annual Targa Newfoundland will start in St. John's on Saturday, September 12, 2009, and end back in the capital Saturday, September 19. The competition will cover more than 2,000 kilometres of the challenging, twisty roads of the North and South Avalon, Burin, Kittiwake and Exploits regions, including up to 400 kilometres of closed-road, flat-out Targa stages. Competitors have come from the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Holland, the Bahamas, Turks & Caicos and the U.K. for the first seven editions of Targa Newfoundland and international interest continues to build with competitors registering daily.

-30-

Contact:

Media:        Doug Mepham 613-966-4969

                   d.mepham@bellnet.ca

                   www.targanewfoundland.com

Competitors:   Alexandra Healey 709-687-1150

                        alexandra@targanewfoundland.com

Sponsors:         Scott Giannou 709-722-2413

                        scott@targanewfoundland.com

Targa and Eastern Seals Team Up Again
http://vocm.com/news-info.asp?id=36619

We quote
"Targa Newfoundland has renewed its committment as a major sponsor of the Easter Seals outreach program for the next three years. Easter Seals has raised nearly 150 thousand dollars since it partnered with Targa in 2005, and are hoping to raise 250 thousand dollars by 2012. They renewed the partnership with the help of Easter Seals Ambassador Jeremy Jones, who hopped into Targa Vice-President Scott Giannou's Porsche for a ride in the downtown this morning. Giannou says this is something they take great pride in.
Easter Seals Executive Director and CEO Deirdre Green says the money will help fund a number of programs."

 Targa Newfoundland, Rally Barbados link hands, exchange winners

ST. JOHN'S (June 3, 2009) - They may be separated by miles of ocean, but the islands of Barbados in the southern Caribbean and Newfoundland in Canada have linked hands in a cooperative effort that could see the winner of the keystone motorsports event in each location take part in the other.

The agreement between Sol Rally Barbados and Targa Newfoundland to provide a free entry as a prize to the winner of each other's event is part of a promotional drive by the two organizers to solidify a base of high quality tarmac rally competitions in North America.

Sol Rally Barbados has already taken the first step. The Caribbean's largest international motorsport event was completed May 31 and a representative of the Barbados Rally Club will carry the flag of that nation at the 2009 Targa Newfoundland. Northern Ireland's Kris Meeke and co-driver Paul Nagle won the grueling three-day contest in a Subaru Impreza WRC S9.  Because of a scheduling conflict, Meeke and Nagle cannot make Targa Newfoundland but donated their entry to the Barbados Rally Club, which will send a top finisher in their stead.

The winner of the eighth annual Targa Newfoundland will get an invitation to next spring's Sol Rally Barbados in return.

"Until recently, tarmac rallies have been a bit of a curiosity in much of North America," explains Targa Newfoundland organizer Robert Giannou. "But that is about to change. With long established events like Rally Barbados and Rally Jamaica at one end, and eight years of successful Targa Newfoundland at the other, we are starting to see more paved road rally events turn up around North America. With at least two events in Canada and two in the U.S., there are enough tarmac rallies to create a terrific season for competitors."

Sol Rally Barbados organizer Barry Gale agrees. "Our event has attracted an international field of competitors for years, proving that high quality tarmac rallies have appeal no matter where they are. To have a calendar of great events in North America - even as far apart as we are - is an important step in developing the sport."

History buff Giannou points out that linkages between islands of the Caribbean and his home in Newfoundland run deep. "We have been trading partners for years, going back to the days of rum and salt exchanged for cod and timber," he says. "Our histories are intertwined. Getting together with Sol Rally Barbados is like catching up with old friends."

Owned and operated by Newfoundland International Motorsports Limited, Targa Newfoundland is one of three internationally recognized Targa motorsports events in the world. The 8^th annual Targa Newfoundland will start in St. John's on Saturday, September 12, 2009, and end back in the capital Saturday, September 19. The competition will cover more than 2,000 kilometres of the challenging, twisty roads of the central and eastern portion of the island of Newfoundland, including up to 400 kilometres of closed-road, flat-out Targa stages. Competitors have come from the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Holland, the Bahamas, Turks & Caicos and the U.K. for the first seven editions of Targa Newfoundland and international interest continues to build with competitors registering daily.

-30-

Contact:

Media:      Doug Mepham 613-966-4969

               d.mepham@bellnet.ca

               www.targanewfondland.com

Competitors:  Alexandra Healey 709-687-1150

                   alexandra@targanewfoundland.com

Sponsors:      Scott Giannou 709-722-2413

                   scott@targanewfoundland.com

Sol Rally Barbados:   Barry Gale

                             246-262-2555

                             barry@rallybarbados.bb

                             www.rallybarbados.bb

 Important Notice to all of our 2009 competitors:

 
Targa Newfoundland is pleased to announce that the 2009 course is now set.  It will be composed of 2 Prologue stages, 1 Demonstration Stage and 42 competitive stages.  This is the greatest number of stages we have ever run.  Competitors will be pleased to know that the course has a number of new stages as well as substantial modifications to some existing stages.

While the overall route is generally similar to TN 2008 there will be one major exception.  It was decided by Targa to move the traditional Clarenville overnight on Wednesday to Marystown.  This decision was a result of Clarenville council not being able to confirm their desire to host a stage in the community by the time the course was set.  This will mean that the free transit to Marystown will begin immediately after the Goosebery Cove stage on Wednesday evening.  While this will get the cars into  Marystown later in the evening than usual competitors will not have to face the long morning transit which they formally did.
 
Competitors who made their bookings through Maxxim Vacations have had their accommodations adjusted to take care of this change but those who booked through other agencies or by themselves should make arrangements to be in Marystown on both the Wednesday and Thursday evenings.  We hope this will not be too much of an inconvenience.

FROM MAXXIM VACATIONS:
"Participants who have already secured accommodations with Maxxim Vacations will automatically be booked for the additional night in Marystown, and the night in Clarenville cancelled.  Maxxim Vacations will be sending updated itineraries reflecting the change by the end of next week."

See you in September"

STILLEN Targa Newfoundland Sweepstakes!

Win a chance to follow along as we take the STILLEN 2009 Nissan GT-R to the Targa Newfoundland Tarmac Rally! Grand prize winner wins an all-expense paid trip for two to the Targa Rally in Newfoundland including interfacing with the STILLEN race team and world champion driver Steve Millen.

ENTER NOW for your chance to win! Open to U.S. residents only!

Grand Prize - One Winner
One Grand Prize winner will receive a 7-day all-expense paid trip for two at the Targa Newfoundland Rally - which includes airfare from the continental US to St. Johns Newfoundland, hotel accommodations for seven nights, meal allowance & midsize rental car for seven days + $500 trip cash.

Second Prize - Three Winners
Three winners will receive one (1) $500 STILLEN Gift Certificate redeemable by phone, from stillen.com or at our Costa Mesa CA facility. We carry 1000's of products from hundreds of vendors so you're sure to find products to fit your vehicle.

Third Prize - Five Winners
For five (5) third prize winners, Road & Track will award an 11"x 14" framed and autographed (by Steve Millen) photographic print of Steve Millen's 2009 GT-R Targa Rally Car.

Fourth Prize - Five Winners
Five winners will receive one (1) $100 STILLEN Gift Certificate redeemable by phone, from stillen.com or at our Costa Mesa CA facility. We carry 1000' of products from hundreds of vendors so you're sure to find products to fit your vehicle.

Fifth Prize - One Hundred Winners
One Hundred (100) fifth place winners will receive a free annual Subscription to Road & Track Magazine.

No purchase necessary to win. 

You can also follow along at STILLEN's blog to see the build progress and all the new parts being developed for the Nissan GT-R.  

For a limited time only, while quantities last! Don't miss this great saving!

Check out our online store for details or call 1-877-332-2413

It is with great sadness and regret that we must inform you of the passing of Thomas C. Silver, age 67, on April 8th. Tom passed at home with his family around him. Tom was a friend, but more than that, as those of you who knew him will know, he was an ardent Targa Guy and an absolutely explosive competitor. We always thought the Mustang or the Falcon that he was driving must have absolutely dreaded each start because Tom just whipped it off the line and drove it through the stages without mercy. 

Tom was planning to return to the event this year. He was so excited and was looking forward to seeing all the gang again. As we understand Tom had mostly won his battle with esophageal cancer but lost it to a tumor in his kidney.  He will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.

THOMAS C. SILVER

-04/10/2009

Thomas C. Silver, age 67, ended his persistent, ferocious, and dignified battle with cancer on April 8. A lifelong resident of Minneapolis, Tom was a renaissance man, skilled in multiple areas and with a broad base of knowledge, always surprising others with his expertise in big pictures and miniscule details. Tom found meaning and passion in work, automotive racing, artistic endeavors, and community involvement. Tom served as owner and executive of Mail Handling Incorporated, Liberty Envelope, Bindery Express, and Direct Marketing Group. He worked with integrity, creativity, and gusto until even his last week of life. Tom had a lifelong interest in anything motorized, and that passion manifested itself in everything from redesigning equipment at work, to restoring vintage automobiles. He was passionate about long-course auto racing, and skilled and lucky enough to have won many awards, through Canada (Targa, Newfoundland) and Mexico (La Carrera Panamericana), as well as locally in his Legend car. In the last year of his life, on a weekend with no chemotherapy, he competed in his last La Chihuahua Express race, racing 1200 miles in three days, and he took home the first place trophy. Tom took joy in art and design to a gamut of outlets, from creating silver ritual art pieces to architecture and furniture design. There was no area of creativity at which he could not be successful. Tom was an active member of Bet Shalom Congregation, which fostered his spirit, allowed him to participate in fulfilling many good deeds, and gave him an outlet for leadership skills. He was a board member for many years, after which he served as president of the congregation. Tom coordinated the construction of the congregation's new building and was instrumental in its design. As importantly, he excelled at building relationships with people. To honor Tom's multi-faceted building skills, the honor of congregational Boneh (builder) was recently bestowed upon him.

Additionally, Tom was on the boards of the Minneapolis Jewish Federation, and Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion. Above all else, Tom cherished his family, he was a devoted son, a loving husband, an adoring father, and a close-knit brother. Preceded in death by parents, Dr.

John and Grace Silver. Survived by wife, Anita (Lurye); children, Scott David, Sarah Lynn, Alyson Jenna, and Andrea Jean; siblings, Nancy (Charles) Reich, Sally Silver, Daniel (Myndal), and Rita (Russ) Sandstrom; mother-in-law, Millicent Lurye Weinberg; special aunt and uncle, Pat and Jack Galusha; many caring nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends. Many thanks to the skilled, caring, and compassionate health-care professionals who fought side-by-side with Tom to quell his disease and extend his life:

Dr. Cathleen Chen, Tanya, Karen and Micki, Park Nicollet Oncology and Infusion Therapy teams. Tom was fortunate to do what he loved, and to love what he did. As a tribute to Tom, his family has established the Tom Silver Nekudot Fund at Bet Shalom Congregation. Proceeds will be used to complete finishing touches around the Temple - the special gift that Tom always had.

FUNERAL SERVICE: 3 p.m. Sunday, in Bet Shalom Congregation, 13613 Orchard Rd., Minnetonka. Please direct memorials to the Tom Silver Nekudot Fund at Bet Shalom Congregation, or Park Nicolett Cancer Center, 3931 Louisiana Ave., St. Louis Park, MN 55426. Hodroff-Epstein 612-871-1234 www.hodroffepstein.com

Targa Newfoundland encourages all of our staff, business associates and competitors as individuals and team members to celebrate Earth Day by going the extra mile to recognize and take positive steps toward creating a healthier and more sustainable world.

Purchasing and using energy efficient and green products in our everyday lives not just on this significant day is a good step for all. Keeping you car in top shape, right down to the tires helps increase performance, reduces emissions and saves you money.

 Reuse, Recycle, Reduce and Eliminate!

This year Targa will be implementing a green plan for our event which will start with our staff and reach to all competitors and crews and the communities in which we operate. This plan will grow as time moves on. We have been consulting with many outside agencies and will continue to improve this plan in a diligent manner.

We will be dealing with reducing our waste during the event and leaving all venues in a much better condition than before we arrived. Waste management is only a small piece of our plan. This program will be rolled out in June and we encourage all of our associates to think of better ways in which all can act positively to make Targa Newfoundland a leader in Environmental Stewardship.

We would appreciate any suggestions you may have toward this end and wish everyone a Happy Earth Day!