I first became aware of Tarmac rallying when some mates entered Australia’s first real Tarmac Rally, the 1992 Targa Tasmania and so in 1993 I competed as a navigator
and loved it. From then on I’ve returned to Tasmania every year as a driver and still continue to love it.
Since ‘92, many Tarmac Rallies have been run across the country and the sport has grown enormously. The participation rate is possibly at it’s best ever due to the inclusion of the Targa Touring Categories, which enables people to enter their road registered cars, driving the same route as competition vehicles on closed roads, in a safe and structured environment at speeds not normally allowed on open roads, without the pressure of competition. Tour events coming up in the next couple of months are The Great Barrier Reef Targa based in Cairns Queensland from August 30 to September 1 st , and the Targa High Country which is based on top of Victoria’s most popular Ski Resort, Mt Buller, some 1,800 meters above sea level from November 8 th to 10 th .
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There is a lot of excitement around this year’s Great Barrier Reef Targa from both competitors and the local Cairns community. It’s the second running of the event and after last years event was deemed a resounding success, this year’s looks like being even bigger with more entries and more rally stages.
The rally again commences with the short 6.01km run through Green Hill before a further four stages, Gillies Range (19.47km), Little Mulgrave (19.47km), Lake Morris (11.52km) and Copperlode (11.52km) complete Day 1.
Day 2 features the new additions with Targa Stage (TS) 6 Springmount (6.14km) kicking off the day followed by the 7.33km Mareeba run ahead of the lunch stage in the idyllic tablelands town. The afternoon then sees the rally move to the 6.14km Upper Barron, 8.46km North Johnstone and Yungaburra (6.57km) tests.
Day 3 commences with the mighty Kuranda Range TS11 stage comprising 11.31km followed by the 13.50km of Malanda, 14.55km (Moregatta), 28.81km each of Millaa Millaa and Palmerston before the event ends with the 16th special stage, Theresa Creek (14.55km). The Official Finish will again be held at the Cairns Convention
Centre.
More information on all of the Targa Tour events can be found at targa.com.au