The Targa New Zealand is a tarmac rally held annually on public roads typically throughout the North Island of New Zealand. The main Targa each year begins in the last week of October and is a week-long event which covers around 1500 km of touring and 750 km of closed special stages. Smaller one- or two-day events are usually run during the year and have been variously titled Targa Bambina, Targa Dash, Targa Rotorua, Targa Tauranga and Targa Hawkes Bay. In 2014 Targa New Zealand for the first time was held in the South Island of New Zealand. Starting in Christchurch and finishing in Cromwell (Near Queenstown) the rally included every South Island race track including New Zealand's latest - Highlands Motorsport Park. Noticeable stages included Queenstown's Crown Range which is understood to be one of New Zealand's highest altitude public roads.
Originally intended as an event for owners of classic performance cars to display and race their vehicles, it has evolved into a serious competition event with modern purpose built race cars usually taking top honours.
The race started in 1995 and continually growing in popularity with over 200 cars entering the 2005 Dunlop sponsored Targa rally.
Racing is divided into classes to give everyone a chance of honours of some sort. These classes are based around age and engine size of the vehicles. Younger drivers are encouraged to compete in a controlled manner in a safe environment. Crashes happen but it is a very low percentage. Race cars need to have roll cages and safety gear except the Targa tour for first-time competitors. They drive under the guidance of the tour leader. Local groups providing hospitality areas, fundraising activities such as car washes, barbecues and 4000 lunches.
Classes for Early Targa Events Historic Pre-classic Classic Post classic Metalman super classics Metalman all-comers Early modern Honda riders contemporary Super GT
Classes for Current Targa Events
Classic 2WD Category 1 0 – 2000cc Aftermarket sequential gearboxes are prohibited Category 2 2001 – 3400cc Aftermarket sequential gearboxes are prohibited Category 3 3401cc and over Aftermarket sequential gearboxes are prohibited Production (GT2) 2WD Category 4 0 – 2000cc Aftermarket sequential gearboxes are prohibited Category 5 2001 – 3400cc Aftermarket sequential gearboxes are prohibited Category 6 3401cc and over Aftermarket sequential gearboxes are prohibited Production (GT4) 4WD Category 8 Pre 2000 1st year of production prior to 1 January 2000. Aftermarket sequential gearboxes are prohibited Category 9 Post 2000 1st year of production after to 1 January 2000. Aftermarket sequential gearboxes are prohibited Allcomers (Extreme) 2WD and 4WD Category 7 Open 2WD All 2 wheel drive vehicles not eligible for Categories 1–6. Category 10 Open 4WD All 4 wheel drive vehicles not eligible for Categories 8-9. Past winners
Year Driver Co-driver Car 1995 Greg Graham, Team Subaru NZ Jeff Judd WRX Subaru 1996 Greg Graham, Team Subaru NZ Colin Smith WRX Subaru 1997 Geoff Ray, Shayne O'Hagen Mitsubishi Evo 1998 Geoff Ray, Shayne O'Hagen Mitsubishi Evo 1999 Chris Ramsay, Laurie Brenssell Mitsubishi Evo 2000 Greg Kirkham, Mal Clark Mitsubishi Mirage 2001 Craig Dean, Shane Beaumont Ford Mustang 2002 Anton Tallott Anne Tallott Mazda RX-7 2003 Tony Quinn Keith Wenn Porsche 996 Turbo 2004 Jim Richards Barry Oliver Porsche GT3 2005 Jim Richards Barry Oliver Porsche GT3 2006 Joe McAndrew Sue O'Neil Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 2007 Joe McAndrew Sue O'Neil Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 2008 Richard Mason Sara Mason Subaru Impreza STI 2009 Tony Quinn Naomi Tillett Nissan GT-R R35 2010 Tony Quinn Naomi Tillett Nissan GT-R R35 2011 Tony Quinn Naomi Tillett Nissan GT-R R35 2012 Tony Quinn Naomi Tillett Nissan GT-R R35 2013 Martin Dippie Jona Grant Porsche GT3 RS 2014 Glenn Inkster Spencer Winn Mitsubishi Evo 9 2015 Glenn Inkster Spencer Winn Mitsubishi Evo 9 2016 Glenn Inkster Spencer Winn Mitsubishi Evo 92017Glenn InksterSpencer WinnMitsubishi Evo 82018Glenn InksterSpencer WinnMitsubishi Evo 82019Haydn MackenzieMatthew SayersMitsubishiLancer EVO X RS2020 - - -2021 - - -2022Cameron RossMatthew BuerSubaru Impreza Multiple Winners Driver WinsDriver Years5 Tony Quinn (2003, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012) Glenn Inkster (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018)2 Greg Graham (1995, 1996) Geoff Ray (1997, 1998) Jim Richards (2004, 2005) Joe McAndrew (2006, 2007)
Co-Driver WinsCo-Driver Years
Manufacturer WinsManufacturer Years10Mitsubishi (1997-2000, 2014-2019)6Nissan (2006-2007, 2009-2012)4Porsche (2003-2005, 2013)4Subaru (1995-1996, 2008, 2022)
Well known Targa entrants
Jim Richards Tony Quinn Chris Amon Murray Walker Peter Brock Grant Dalton Steve Millen
References
External links