CALABOGIE, Ontario (September 2, 2010) - The fully prepared 2010 Acura TL performance sedan that will carry a team of Canadian Forces veterans injured in the war in Afghanistan on their quest to raise funds and spread awareness for the Soldier On program for wounded soldiers got its initial test here this week and its team of drivers said the car was "awesome."

The Acura TL SH-AWD is entered in the 9th annual Targa Newfoundland international rally, with drivers Master Corporal Jody Mitic and Corporal Andrew Knisley behind the wheel. The car has been provided through the support of the Acura Dealers of Canada.

The rally starts on Sunday, September 12, 2010, in St. John's.

Mitic and Knisley will share driving and navigating duties for the grueling week-long, 2,000+ kilometre motorsport event. The team's objective is to raise $150,000 in donations to the Soldier On Fund by completing Canada's longest and toughest motorsport event.

"In the initial tests on the track, the car exceeded our expectations," said team manager Major General (Ret'd) Lewis MacKenzie. The car underwent its first testing at Calabogie Motorsport Park, near Ottawa.

"It was awesome!" added Knisley.

Both Mitic and Knisley suffered devastating injuries in combat in Afghanistan. Their remarkable recovery has been aided by the Soldier On Fund, a trust fund of the Canadian Forces established to improve the quality of life of ill and injured soldiers through active participation and peer interaction in fitness and sports.

The Acura TL SH-AWD is equipped with an automatic transmission that can be controlled by paddle shifters and has been constructed to permit both men relatively easy access to the cockpit. Mitic lost both legs below the knee to a land mine in 2007; Knisley's right leg was destroyed below the hip by an improvised explosive device in 2009. Both men have prosthetic lower limbs.

The car will carry the livery of the Acura Dealers of Canada, and technical support is being provided by Honda Canada. Michelin North America (Canada) Inc. and Motegi Racing Wheels have provided product support.

"The Acura TL SH-AWD starts with a number of advantages that make it ideally suited for this project, beginning with the Super Handling All Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system," explains Jerry Chenkin, executive vice president of Honda Canada Inc. "Faced with every kind of driving challenge - from tight and twisty roads to fast open stages, over every kind of road surface - Acura's SH-AWD system offers both performance and security. We believe that will be an ideal combination for the two drivers."

The innovative SH-AWD system manages the power from the 3.7-litre 24-valve SOHC V6 engine to provide front-rear torque distribution control with independently regulated torque distribution to the left and right rear wheels. The system automatically distributes the optimum amount of torque to all four wheels in accordance with driving conditions. The result is drastically improved handling with reduced understeer and better balance.

During spirited cornering, SH-AWD seamlessly distributes more torque to the outside rear wheel to help the TL turn in more quickly and precisely, while also continuously apportioning drivetrain torque front to rear and also left to right. The result is a remarkably balanced and precise all-wheel-drive performance sedan ideally suited for some of the rough and wet road conditions often encountered in Targa Newfoundland.

"For first-time Targa competitors, this system should offer a level of security in wet or slippery conditions, and better performance in the dry," said Chenkin. The car is also equipped with Acura's Co-Operative Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) stability control system as well as traction control.

MacKenzie confirmed the SH-AWD system was put to the test in lapping the Calabogie circuit, which included driving in rain. "What was most impressive for our crew was the car's ability to recover in a corner at speeds that might otherwise have put the car off the road," he said.

The steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters that control the automatic transmission in the Acura TL SH-AWD will also simplify the driving challenge for the two drivers.

Mitic and Knisley will have to get along without the car's amazing Acura/ELS Surround 440-watt premium audio system, Acura Navigation System and rear-view camera parking aid - features that were sacrificed to make way for the custom-made roll cage designed to protect the team in the case of an incident.

With 305 horsepower, upgraded brakes and stabilizer bars, and Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires on Motegi Rally rims, the Soldier On Acura is expected to be a capable competitor in the Modern Division of the Targa competition.

The 9th annual Targa Newfoundland will start in St. John's on Sunday, September 12, 2010, and end back in the capital on 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.

Acura is the luxury-performance division of Honda Canada Inc.  Seven distinct vehicles (CSX, TSX, TL, RL, RDX, MDX and ZDX) are marketed under the Acura brand. The Acura ZDX, MDX and CSX are built at the Honda of Canada Mfg. assembly facility in Alliston, Ontario.

#  # #

For more information, contact:

Honda Canada Inc.
Richard Jacobs
Manager, Public Relations
Ph: 905.888.4102  
Email: richard_jacobs@ch.honda.com
 
MacDonald & Co.
Susan MacDonald
Ph: 613.966.4969  
Email: susan.e.macdonald@bellnet.ca
 
Blog:
www.AcuraSoldierOnatTarga.blogspot.com <http://www.AcuraSoldierOnatTarga.blogspot.com>
 
Facebook:
Acura Soldier On at Targa Newfoundland

 ST. JOHN'S (August 25, 2010) - Two good actors best known for playing bad boys will get behind a great cause when Trailer Park Boys principals J. P. Tremblay and Robb Wells turn up at the starting line for the 9^th annual Targa Newfoundland on September 12.

 Tremblay and Wells, who play the characters Julian and Ricky in the wildly popular television series, will drive a 2010 Porsche Cayman S with Autism Society of Newfoundland and Labrador identification. The team is entered in the very competitive Grand Touring competition.

 It is the first time the two actors have entered Targa Newfoundland and their first motorsport adventure.

 The Autism Society is 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.

 Fans of the iconic Canadian comedy series shouldn't expect to find Julian and Ricky in the new Porsche. Tremblay and Wells will not be ‘in character' for the week-long rally as it makes its way through the towns, villages and small communities that dot the 2,200-kilometre route.

 "To me it's about finally fulfilling a 15-year-old dream of JP's and mine to compete in - and finish - a rally race," says Wells.  "At least one of those dreams will come true in Newfoundland, two if JP can keep the car on the road."

 "It's such a beautiful province and the people there are the kindest and friendliest in the world. It's the perfect place to host the only event of its kind in North America," he adds.

 Wells admits they are a little short of rally experience, but believes they can overcome that with help. "We really don't have a lot of experience with racing yet," he confirms. "We've both driven cars on local race tracks a few times and we may have run from the cops once or twice and got a hell of a lot of speeding tickets, but that's it," he grins, sounding more like Ricky than Robb.  The team will attend the Targa school prior to the start of the event and be tutored by veteran Porsche driving instructor Rick Bye. As an entry in the Grand Touring competition, the car is not permitted to reach the high speeds regularly seen by cars in the Targa class.

 Both of Wells's parents are from Newfoundland and he still has family scattered across the island. Their push for the Autism Society is particularly apt: Wells has a cousin who has the condition.

 With co-star Mike Smith (Bubbles), Tremblay and Wells captivated Canadian and international television audiences from the show's debut in 2001, and have added two successful movies (Trailer Park Boys: The Movie in 2006 and Trailer Park Boys: Countdown to Liquor Day in 2009) to a growing body of work that has both a unique Atlantic Canada flavour and its own booze-fueled humour.

 And while the actors won't be portraying their Trailer Park Boys characters, they will still be in front of the camera as the focus of a special TV documentary planned for their Targa adventure. The show will be produced by Bradford Productions, producers of the acclaimed Motoring magazine-format series that has aired nationally for 23 years on TSN.

 Their car is expected to be a worthy co-star of the show. The sophisticated Porsche Cayman S not only strikes a dramatic pose with its clean lines and strong, athletic profile, its light weight and its 3.4-litre, 320 hp midships 6-cylinder engine will deliver an impressive performance for the actors. The car is provided by Porsche Cars Canada.

 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:          Laurance Yap, Porsche Cars Canada  905-629-9900

                   Laurance.Yap@porsche.ca

                   Brad Diamond, Bradford Productions  416-786-0820

                   bdiamond@bradfordproductions.com

                   Doug Mepham, Targa Newfoundland  613-966-4969

                   d.mepham@bellnet.ca

Competitors:  Andrea Hurley 709-722-2413

                   andrea@targanewfoundland.com

Sponsors:      Scott Giannou 709-722-2413

                   scott@targanewfoundland.com

Autism Society of Newfoundland & Labrador: Trish Williams  709-722-2803

                   info@autism.nf.net

Targa Newfoundland:     www.targanewfoundland.com

Porsche Cars Canada:     www.porsche.com/canada/

Acura Dealers of Canada sponsor Acura TL rally car

Two disabled Canadian Forces heroes, severely wounded in the war in Afghanistan, have their sights set on raising $150,000 to help with the rehabilitation of their injured comrades by completing the rugged five-day, 2,000-kilometre Targa Newfoundland international car rally in September, Canada's longest and toughest motorsport event.

Master Corporal Jody Mitic and Corporal Andrew Knisley have committed to raise money for the Soldier On Fund, a trust fund of the Canadian Forces established to improve the quality of life of ill and injured soldiers through active participation and peer interaction in fitness and sports.

Both men suffered devastating injuries in combat that have left the pair with just three arms and one leg between them. They credit the Soldier On program with contributing to their remarkable recovery.

Mitic, of Brampton, Ontario, and Knisley, a native of London, Ontario, have prosthetic lower limbs and will drive a new Acura TL SH-AWD performance-luxury sedan sponsored by the Acura Dealers of Canada in the grueling week-long event that cris-crosses eastern and central Newfoundland. The car is showroom stock with the exception of rally timing components, high-performance tires and wheels, and added safety features such as a roll cage.

The two soldiers hope the money they raise for the Soldier On Fund can help injured Canadian Forces personnel to not only enhance their rehabilitation through participation in sports and physical fitness, but to achieve some of their life's dreams irrespective of their injuries.

The team is encouraging Canadians to contribute to Soldier On through tax-deductable donations made to the organization's website, www.SoldierOn.ca. Other fund-raising activities are also planned.

"Andrew and Jody are remarkable individuals on a very important mission - to raise funds for the injured soldiers who follow their path to recovery through sports, fitness and competition," said Jerry Chenkin, executive vice president of Honda Canada Inc. "They are an inspiration, and it is an honour for all of us at Honda Canada and for our Acura dealers across the country to help make this possible. What they have achieved already is amazing, and what they plan to achieve in the name of their comrades is heroic."

The Targa project is managed by Major General (Ret'd) Lewis MacKenzie with engineering support from retired Transport Canada executive Nigel Mortimer, winners of their category in the 2004 Targa Newfoundland.

"When Jody and Andrew came to me with the idea of competing in Targa as a fund-raiser, it brought together so many of the ideals that underpin Soldier On - determination, discipline, stamina and new skills - combined with the challenge of an event that is extremely demanding even for able-bodied competitors," explains MacKenzie. "I believe we can raise significant funds to help the ill and injured soldiers served by the Soldier On program as well as showcase the kind of recovery that this program can make possible."

MacKenzie has raised the expense money to field the team through sponsorship from private and corporate sources. All of the money donated to the Soldier On Targa Newfoundland project will go to the Soldier On Fund.

Targa Newfoundland is one of three internationally recognized Targa rallies. Multi-day endurance contests, Targa events use a series of timed, closed road, high-speed special stages where each vehicle competes against the clock as well as against other vehicles to determine class and category winners. Targa events take their name from a motoring competition first staged on the Italian island of Sicily in the 1900s. Targa means plaque or plate in Italian - the award for success in the event. The other recognized Targa events are staged in Australia and New Zealand.

Called "the iron-man of motorsports," the 9^th annual Targa Newfoundland will start with preliminary activities in St. John's on Saturday, September 11, 2010, and end back in the capital on Saturday, September 18, after covering more than 2,000 kilometres of the island's twisty, challenging roads. More than 2,200 volunteers from 70 communities help organize the annual event.

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Contact:

Team contact:  Major General (Ret'd) Lewis MacKenzie  613-256-1151

Honda Canada Inc.:  Richard Jacobs  416-543-6593  richard_jacobs@ch.honda.com

         or       Susan MacDonald   613-966-4969  susan.e.macdonald@bellnet.ca

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

Soldier On:  Greg Lagacé   613 996 6267  greg.lagace@forces.gc.ca

For seven days this September, two two-man teams will race 2,200 km across Newfoundland in rally cars to raise money for pediatric cancer research. Now that's making charity fun.

The race is Targa Newfoundland and the four participants are: Rob Hansen, Dean Novak, Brent Layton and Gabriel Riff. Mr. Hansen and Mr. Novak, the lawers, work for McCarthy Tétrault LLP and Siemens Canada Limited, while bankers Mr. Layton and Mr. Riff work for Canaccord Genuity and hedge fund Goodwood Inc., respectively.

Donations will go to the Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario and Young Adult Cancer Canada. Over $12,000 has been raised so far and the foursome has a $30,000 target in mind.

To donate, check out: http://www.tinyurl.com/supportpogo

www.theglobeandmail.com/

One of the most successful and popular cars and teams to compete in Targa Newfoundland, from one of the event's most dedicated supporters, will return for 2010 with some unfinished business at the top of the agenda.

The brilliant red MINI John Cooper Works Challenge car that debuted in the 2009 event, helmed by driver Jim Kenzie and co-driver Brian Bourbonniere, will return for Targa 2010, the team announced.

The MINI Challenge car is a purpose-built competition car, created by the company as the basis of a one-marque road race series in places like the U.K., Australia and continental Europe. Race suspension, improved brakes, an on-board air-jack system and dazzling aerodynamic kit including front splitter, rear diffuser, and high-downforce adjustable rear wing make the little red rocket a serious contender.

Kenzie, Bourbonniere and the MINI Challenge car nicknamed Frankly Scarlet spent much of the 2009 event coming to terms with adapting a car built for road racing to the rigors of rally competition, finally finishing second in the competitive Open Division. But with a year of experience with the new car, the team has recalibrated its expectations.

"The car looks fantastic and goes like stink," said Kenzie. "Last year was the MINI Challenge's first attempt anywhere at rallying, and we learned a few things about the car."

Added Bourbonniere, "The suspension couldn't have been stiffer if we'd given it a Viagra the size of a hockey puck. That's great for road racing, but for rallying, especially in the wet that's always a threat at Targa, you want a bit more compliance, and that's what we've gone for."

Like many competitors, Kenzie and Bourbonniere struggled in the heavy rain of the last day of the 2009 event. Planned revisions to the car's suspension should help eliminate those concerns this year. Last year's tires were also not ideally suited for the wetter-than-usual weather. The team has switched to Yokohama ADVAN Neova AD08 ultra high performance tires for 2010. Hugo Boss has also joined the team in a sponsorship role.

"MINI Canada has been at every Targa Newfoundland since 2003," says Targa organizer Robert Giannou. "The MINI is a fan favourite, and has surprised a lot of competitors with some great results. Jim and Brian are terrific ambassadors for the car and for Targa. It's like a family reunion whenever they come back."

The team also has a pretty good track record at Targa, with two wins, a second and a third on their scorecard in the Open Division.

MINI Canada is the first manufacturer to announce an entry in 2010. More announcements are expected in the days leading up to 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 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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Photo available

Contact:

BMW Canada/MINI Canada: Robert Dexter 905-428-5447

                      Robert.dexter@bmwgroup.ca

Targa 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

Targa Newfoundland: www.targanewfoundland.com

Click here to view the July Newsletter.

OTTAWA (July 12, 2010) - Two Canadian soldiers wounded in action in Afghanistan are marshaling supporters and equipment for an assault on Canada's longest and toughest motorsport event, a campaign they hope will raise funds and awareness for a cause close to their hearts.

Master Corporal Jody Mitic and Corporal Andrew Knisley will team up to compete in September's Targa Newfoundland international rally under the banner of the Soldier On Fund, a trust fund of the Canadian Forces established to improve the quality of life of ill and injured soldiers through active participation and peer interaction in fitness and sports.

Mitic and Knisley know the cause all too well. Both suffered devastating injuries in combat that have left the pair with just three arms and one leg between them.

In 2007, Mitic was on patrol in Kandahar Province when he stepped on a buried mine. Both of his legs were blown off below the knees. Less than two years later he competed in a half-marathon in Ottawa.

He was on a patrol in 2009 when Knisley passed a mud wall where two artillery rounds were buried. The rounds were detonated by remote control and the resulting explosion cost Knisley his right leg below the hip and partial use of his right hand. Less than a year later he entered a 5 km fund-raising event.

Both men are now role models for seriously injured soldiers and actively involved in raising money for the Soldier On Fund. They have set their sights on Targa Newfoundland as a keystone project that will both showcase the recovery that's possible for wounded Canadian Forces personnel, and to gather contributions to fund the recovery of their returning comrades.

The pair's determination, discipline and stamina are tailor-made for Targa, a grueling six-day, 2000-kilometre motorsport challenge that cris-crosses eastern and central Newfoundland from September 11 to 18, 2010. Since 2002, racers and automobile adventurers from around the world have accepted the challenge that has earned Targa the name "the ironman of motorsports."

"We start every day with the belief there's nothing we can't do," says Mitic, who will share the driving chores with Knisley. "We want every soldier going through what we went through to have that same determination. We want to show them what's possible."

"This may be one of the most important teams to ever grace Targa Newfoundland," says Targa organizer Robert Giannou. "We have a deep affection for our men and women in uniform in Newfoundland and Labrador, and a very special place in our hearts for the soldiers who come back wounded, and the families whose soldiers have not come back at all. This province will open its heart to Jody and Andrew."

With the help of Major General (Ret'd) Lewis MacKenzie, one of Canada's best known military figures, active race driver and a former Targa Newfoundland competitor, the team is putting together the car and equipment necessary to succeed in the highly competitive Modern Division of the very fast Targa competition. An announcement is expected shortly on the team's choice of car.

"Targa's tough. We know that," says Knisley. "We don't expect to win in our first attempt - no one's ever done that - but we don't expect to lose, either!"

Both men have already graduated from the Motorsport Club of Ottawa racing school and will be tutored at a special Targa Newfoundland school run by former Targa winner Glen Clarke.

They are also planning a fund-raising drive that will help them collect donations for Soldier On. Donations to the Soldier On Fund can currently be made through the organization's website.

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:  Melissa Crummey 709-722-2413

                   melissa@targanewfoundland.com

Sponsors:      Scott Giannou 709-722-2413

                   scott@targanewfoundland.com

Targa Newfoundland:     www.targanewfoundland.com

Soldier On:    http://www.SoldierOn.ca

The town council of the largest fishing community in Placentia Bay has voted to join the expanding Targa family of communities as the home of a  spectacular new 4.0-kilometre competitive Targa stage that will help kick off Targa Newfoundland 2010.

The town of Southern Harbour will host two runs over the new stage on the narrow Isthmus of Avalon peninsula on Monday September 13, 2010, event organizers have announced. 

The first stage will run into the town from just inside the TCH junction. Competitors will provide spectators with an entertaining spectacle in exchange for a look at some of the most scenic vistas in Newfoundland.  The second stage will run in the reverse direction, immediately after the town hosts the competitors to a lunch at the municipal centre. 

Both stages are new to Targa and designed to set the first serious note in day one of the event.

"We appreciate that Southern Harbour is bringing Targa Newfoundland to its streets, and we wish to thank the mayor and council for the working with us to accomplish this," said Targa organizer Robert Giannou. "The first serious stages of the event are very important to us as they challenge the competitors and force them to focus on the competition ahead.  Southern Harbour is ideal for this."

"We have heard about the growth of Targa over the years and each year a number of our younger people have gone up to the highway to watch the cars as they pass on their way to their next competition.  This year they will not have to do that as the event will be in our town.  We are delighted -- and my son is really ecstatic -- to work with Targa to host the first lunch on the Monday competition.  We feel it will set the standard for the rest of their week," said Mayor Joan Hickey. "While we are new to Targa, we have very competent people here that will rise to the challenge of making the two Southern Harbour stages a showpiece for the event.  We look forward to working with Targa for the next four years and we extend an invitation to all the people from the surrounding communities to come and join us at this event," added Mayor Hickey.

The provisional 2010 route is now available on Google Earth. Click here to view.

 Town of Harbour Main, Lakeview and Chapel's Cove joins Holyrood in hosting the first stage for Targa Newfoundland 2010

ST. JOHN'S (June 22, 2010) - The council of a town that is arguably more famous in New York City than in Canada has voted to join the Holyrood Stage of the 2010 Targa Newfoundland. The stage will be renamed as the Holyrood Harbour Main Stage. 

The town council of Harbour Main - representing the communities of Harbour Main, Lakeview and Chapel's Cove -- approved a four-year contract with Targa this year as the three communities welcomed Targa Newfoundland back to their roads.  They were among the first to host Targa stages in earlier years.

Since the turn of the last century many folks from the communities of Harbour Main, Lakeview and Chapel's Cove have journeyed to work in the city know as "The Big Apple".  Where they went to work is more fascinating than why: They virtually all went to work on high steel as joiners, fitters and erectors for the skyscraper buildings of Manhattan and played a major part in building the city. 

The men, seasoned by years at sea in schooners or on the local fishing grounds, took so naturally to high steel work that they became renowned and were so sought-after that they even created their own local of the Steelworkers Union in New York.  As time passed more and more people from the Harbour Main area relocated their families to New York.  Some of the families have had four generations that have worked high steel.

According to a recent history on the New York high steel aired on CBC Radio by Christopher Brooks, men from the bottom of Conception Bay can actually claim that one of their number "topped" the Chrysler and Empire State buildings in the Thirties, and the World Trade Center in the Seventies.  They literally put the roof on what is arguably one of the world's tallest cities. 

The three communities, forming the larger town of Harbour Main, have each retained their individual identities and reside next to Holyrood.  Lakeside is inland while Harbour Main and Chapel's Cove are directly on the sea.

The 12 kilometre long competition stage starting in Holyrood and ending in Avondale will be held on Monday, September 13^t, event organizers have announced.  The stage will begin in Holyrood and travel along the Conception Bay shore, providing competitors with some of the most scenic vistas in Newfoundland.  The stage will be new, and has been designed to set the tone for the first day's competition for both the Targa and Grand Touring categories.

"We appreciate that these towns are bringing Targa Newfoundland back to their streets, and we wish to thank the mayor and council as well as their staff for the working with us to accomplish this," said Targa organizer Robert Giannou. "The first stage of the event is very important as it not only starts the competition, but it whets the competitors' appetite for the event. It also allows them to find a rhythm  for the long and sometimes grueling week ahead."

"Throughout the years, Targa has demonstrated tremendous effort in supporting various charities and this year we are pleased to be associated with them in their partnership with the Newfoundland Autism Society," said Mayor Raymond Parsley. "In addition, this event will once again add to our local tourism potential in our three communities and surrounding area."

"We look forward to seeing Targa back in Harbour Main, Lakeview and Chapel's Cove and we extend an invitation to all the people from the surrounding communities to come and join us at this event," said the mayor.

Click the following link to view Targa Newfoundland's May newsletter.

The timing factors for the competition for years 2010 to 2014 are set out in the attached two charts one of which contains all of the factors in the event.  They are the companion piece to the technical rules that will govern the event for the same period.

Classic Competition

• The Targa Newfoundland Classic competition will offer four categories of competition. To create a level field for competition each category, displacement and preparation level is assigned a performance adjustment factor.
• The base level 1 factors for each competition are derived from the former Standard Specification factors of previous years which in turn were derived from years of accumulated data.

The Level 2 and Level 3 factors are based on an analysis of the estimated performance increases that potentially can be gained by modifying the cars to the extent allowed by the rules at either level 1 or 2.

• Level 2 = 60% of the amount level 1 is above the baseline of 1.0 and Level 3 = 30% of the amount level 2 is above the baseline of 1.0.

Example: If Category 1-Level 1-Small displacement is 1.2003, then Category 1-Level 2-Small displacement is 0.2003 x 0.60 = 0.1202 above the baseline.  Therefore Category  1-Level 2-Small displacement factor is 1.1202.  Category 1-Level 3-Small displacement is 0.1202 x 0.30 = 0.0361 above the baseline.  Therefore Category 1-Level 3- Small factor is 1.0361.

Note:   The Classic factors are may be subject to annual adjustment as additional data becomes available:

Classic Trophy Times

• The Classic Category Trophy times will be set at 40% of the base time for the class on a given stage. This Trophy time will apply no matter what the road condition.

Modern Competition

• The Targa Newfoundland Modern competition will offer awards in five categories of competition. The factor for each of these competitions will be the same.
• The single factor approach is due to competitor demand, the small difference (delta) in times between the fastest and slowest cars in the Modern competition and because it is virtually impossible to police changes to the electronic engine and power-train management systems of these vehicles.

Note: To verify this philosophy the event relied on the experience of other similar events.  Each of the events reviewed had decided that all Modern cars, regardless of level of preparation should run under the same handicap.

• The Hybrid class will run on a factor that is different from the balance of the Modern classes as it is felt that not enough background and data exists to completely judge the performance potential of these cars.

 
Note:   The Modern factors are may be subject to annual adjustment as additional data becomes available:
 

Modern Trophy Times

• The Modern Category Trophy times will be set 40% of the base time for the given stage. This Trophy time will apply no matter what the road condition.

Open Competition

• The Targa Newfoundland Open competition offers a place for "one off" or "experimental" cars to compete. The factors for Open will be the same as the modern factors but the competition is not part of the Modern competition.

The Open Category Trophy Times

• The Open Category Trophy times will be set at 40% of the base time for the given stage. This Trophy time will apply no matter what the road condition.

Road Condition Factors
Classic Category

• For Road Condition 2 Classic Master Base Times will be increased by six (6) percent over Road Condition 1.
• For Road Condition 3 Classic Master Base Times will be increased by six (6) percent over Road Condition 2.
  
  Modern Category
• For Road Condition 2 Modern Master Base Times will be increased by six (6) percent over Road Condition 1.
• For Road Condition 3 Modern Master Base Times will be increased by eight (8) percent over Road Condition 2.

2010 Factor Example

2010 Factors

Congratulations to Jim Adams and Michael Louli, both from Ontario Canada, on winning the $1,000 accommodations voucher.

The team will be driving a 2002 Subaru WRX in the upcoming 9^th annual Targa Newfoundland.

Our congratulations to you both and we look forward to seeing your team on the start line in September!

By Mark Atkinson, MSN Autos  Must-see races of 2010

Click here to view the April issue of the Targa Newfoundland newsletter.
Be sure to sign up for our monthly newsletter to be kept up-to-date on all things Targa. Sign up today!

Marystown, the home of three of the most popular competitive stages in the annual Targa Newfoundland and the headquarters for the Burin Peninsula leg of the international motorsport event, has confirmed its participation in Targa for the next four years.

At its regular meeting the Marystown council approved an agreement that will welcome Targa competitors and fans back to the community for the next four years.

Marystown is the hub and central service community for the southernmost peninsula of Newfoundland and the traditional start of the frantic final day of the week-long Targa challenge.  It numbers among its benefits a spectacular ice-free deep-water port which is home to such facilities as a major offshore oil servicing and fabrication base, a marine shipyard and dry-dock facility, as well as a major seafood processing plant. 

In the nine years since Targa started, Marystown has hosted more competitive Targa stages than any other community.

The three Marystown stages and nearby Mooring Cove stage are the pivotal points in the 11-stage, two-day Burin Peninsula competition that will see the competition run throughout the key towns and communities of the area.  In addition, Marystown will host the competitors and service crews for an overnight stay in the town and treat its citizens and those of the surrounding area to an "after the event" evening car show at its local arena and sports complex. The evening car show is held in support of the area school lunch program and the Autism Society of Newfoundland and Labrador's local chapter. 

The two 6-kilometre Marystown stages and their 2.5 km long Mooring Cove sister stage will be held in the early morning and late in the afternoon on Thursday, September 16, event organizers have announced.  The stages will be the same as previously run and will set the tone for what is arguably the event's most difficult day of competition for both the Targa and Grand Touring categories.

"We truly appreciate that Marystown is continuing its key role in the Burin by bringing Targa Newfoundland to its streets, and we wish to thank the mayor and council as well as their staff for the working with us to accomplish this," said Targa organizer Robert Giannou. "This day is most critical to the success of the event and our competitors love it.  Marystown is important because it sets the tone for the balance of the competition. High praise is due to retired teacher Robert Lymburner, who runs the three stages, and to Derrick Hanrahan who coordinates the Newfoundland Autism Society's projects in the area. They really deliver for their community, its people and our competitors."

"Throughout the years, Targa has demonstrated a tremendous loyalty to Marystown and we look forward to supporting the new partnership which Targa has created with the Autism Society this year," Said Marystown mayor Sam Synard.  "We are pleased to be associated with them.

Targa organizer Giannou presented Mayor Synard with two numbered collectors plaques from the Targa Competitors from 2009.

Mayor Synard in turn presented one of the numbered plaques to Mr. Lymburner in recognition of his work for the town.  "Mr Lymburner is a credit to Marystown and his work for the Targa event and for the other organizations he supports through the community Lion's Club should be recognized." said Mayor Synard. " Targa has given our area and our local tourism efforts an international flavour due to the fantastic media coverage the event attracts. It has made Newfoundland and the event more widely known than we ever expected.  We look forward to seeing Targa in Marystown for the next four years and extend an invitation to all the people from the surrounding communities to come and join us at this year's arena car show," added the mayor.

Schedule for Motors TV

France:

Dimanche 28 Mars 2010 21:28:00     00:48:00:00

Lundi 29 Mars 2010 11:00:00        00:48:00:00

Lundi 29 Mars 2010 01:50:00        00:48:00:00

Mardi 30 Mars 2010 08:43:00       00:48:00:00

Mardi 30 Mars 2010 21:00:00       00:48:00:00

Jeudi 1 Avril 2010 18:55:00            00:48:00:00

Jeudi 1 Avril 2010 05:00:00            00:48:00:00

Samedi 3 Avril 2010 21:28:00        00:48:00:00

Mardi 6 Avril 2010 14:00:00           00:48:00:00

Mardi 6 Avril 2010 05:52:00           00:48:00:00

Jeudi 8 Avril 2010 11:00:00            00:48:00:00

Jeudi 15 Avril 2010 02:06:0            0 00:48:00:00

The rest of the continent:

Samedi 3 Avril 2010 21:26:00       00:48:00:00

Samedi 3 Avril 2010 06:07:00       00:48:00:00

Dimanche 4 Avril 2010 18:10:00   00:48:00:00

Lundi 5 Avril 2010 12:11:00          00:48:00:00

Lundi 5 Avril 2010 00:02:00          00:48:00:00

Mardi 6 Avril 2010 13:04:00          00:48:00:00

Mardi 6 Avril 2010 01:46:00          00:48:00:00

Mercredi 7 Avril 2010 17:28:00     00:48:00:00

Mercredi 7 Avril 2010 00:02:00     00:48:00:00

Jeudi 8 Avril 2010 11:46:00          00:48:00:00

Jeudi 8 Avril 2010 00:54:00          00:48:00:00

Vendredi 9 Avril 2010 13:04:00     00:48:00:00

Vendredi 9 Avril 2010 02:14:00     00:48:00:00

Lundi 12 Avril 2010 08:17:00        00:48:00:00

Jeudi 15 Avril 2010 15:18:00        00:48:00:00

Lundi 19 Avril 2010 18:46:00        00:48:00:00

Mercredi 21 Avril 2010 23:10:00    00:48:00:00

Samedi 24 Avril 2010 18:46:00     00:48:00:00

Lundi 26 Avril 2010 07:26:00        00:48:00:00

UK:

Samedi 3 Avril 2010 23:25:00 00:48:00:00

Samedi 3 Avril 2010 05:59:00 00:48:00:00

Dimanche 4 Avril 2010 18:00:00 00:48:00:00

Mardi 6 Avril 2010 14:30:00 00:48:00:00

Mardi 6 Avril 2010 01:35:00 00:48:00:00

Samedi 10 Avril 2010 12:30:00 00:48:00:00

Lundi 12 Avril 2010 11:00:00 00:48:00:00

Jeudi 15 Avril 2010 15:30:00 00:48:00:00

The home of the famous Squid Jigging Ground, the Town of Holyrood joins Targa Newfoundland 2010

ST. JOHN'S March 19, 2010 - The town council of the town made famous by the traditional Newfoundland folk song "The Ryan's and the Pitman's" has decided once again to join the Targa family of communities. Holyrood, a town nestled at the end of a deep bay under its equally famous mountain top cross is welcoming Targa Newfoundland back to its roads in 2010.  Surrounding a spectacular deep water port which was the actual home of the squid jigging ground, Holyrood also counts a beautiful marina, a sea-side board walk, and the new to be opened ocean front Marine Institute building as some of its prime attractions. Targa Newfoundland will be added to this impressive list in 2010.

Hosting one the first stages in the early years of Targa, Holyrood will again become the first stage of this year's event.  In addition, the town will welcome the competitors and crews to breakfast before the start of the stage that begins this week long endurance classic. 

The approximately 8.00 kilometer long competition stage will be held on Monday September 13^th, event organizers have announced.  The stage will begin in Holyrood and travel along the Conception Bay shore providing competitors with some of the most scenic vistas in Newfoundland.  The stage will be new, and has been designed to set the tone for the first day's competition for both the Targa and Grand Touring categories.

"We appreciate that Holyrood is bringing Targa Newfoundland back to its streets, and we wish to thank the mayor and council as well as their staff for working with us to accomplish this," said Targa organizer Robert Giannou. "The first stage of the event is very important as it not only starts the competition, but it wets the competitor's appetites for the event and allows them to settle down for the long and sometimes grueling week ahead".

"Throughout the years, Targa has demonstrated tremendous effort in supporting various charities and this year we are pleased to be associated with them in their partnership with the NL Autism Society", said Mayor Gary Goobie. In addition, this event will once again add to our local tourism potential in Holyrood and surrounding area. "We look forward to seeing Targa back in Holyrood and we extend an invitation to all the people from the surrounding communities to come and join us at this event" indicates the Mayor.

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-

We have been so busy with preparations for the 9th annual Targa Newfoundland we had our 1/40 draw but never announced the winner.

The first 40 competitors to register for Targa Newfoundland had a chance at winning 50% off their entry fee. Congratulations to David Campbell and Richard Morley, a team from the United Kingdom, on winning 50% off their entry! What a great savings.

We had so much positive feedback from competitors on the 1/40 draw we have decided to start another contest! 

Feeling lucky? Competitors who enter between March 15^th and April 30^th have a chance at winning a $1000 Accommodations Voucher*
Wow! Incredible!

To be eligible for the Accommodations Voucher contest just fill out the registration application and send it into the Targa office, along with your entry fee, by April 30^th. It's that easy!

Good luck and we will see you on the start line in September.

For registration information please click here 2010 Registration Form

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

 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.

-30-

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.