Targa Tasmania is a tarmac-based rally event held on the island state of Tasmania, Australia, annually since 1992. The event takes its name from the Targa Florio, a former motoring event held on the island of Sicily. The competition concept is drawn directly from the best features of the Mille Miglia, the Coupe des Alpes and the Tour de Corse.
History The inaugural event was held in April and May 1992 with a field of over 200 cars.Targa to test the best Canberra Times 1 May 1992 page 15Targa Tasmania's over-cautious organisers threw out the rule brook and created chaos Canberra Times 8 May 1992 page 15
After three competitors died in 2021 and another in 2022, Motorsport Australia revoked the event's licence.Targa racing in Australia to undergo hard reset with safety, speed changes to be enforced after competitors' deaths ABC News 28 February 2023Targa Australia cancels road races indefinitely after split from governing body Drive.com.au 14 July 2023
It is scheduled to resume in November 2025 with an amended course from Hobart to Launceston.Targa Tasmania is back Auto Action 12 November 2024Targa Tasmania to return in full force next year, start line to move to Hobart Pulse Tasmania 12 November 2024
Rally format The rally started as a five-day event, but has been run as a six-day event for anniversaries in 2001, 2006 and 2016.
The layout of the 2016 event was:
Leg 1 Launceston - George Town - Launceston Leg 2 Launceston - St Helens - Launceston Leg 3 Launceston - Sheffield - Launceston Leg 4 Launceston - Stanley - Strahan Leg 5 Strahan - New Norfolk - Hobart Leg 6 Hobart - Hobart
In 2008 the course was substantially revised, a number of well liked stages from previous years are now used (Riana), and a number of all new stages were introduced (Mount Claude and Rossarden). Leg 3 was dropped by shortening the Leg 2 East Coast day ending back in Launceston (rather than Hobart). Leg 3 is another loop north out of Launceston (running through Devonport on this day). Leg 4 later ran from Launceston through the lunch stop at Burnie to the evening end at Strahan. It was the longest tarmac rally in Australia with no repeated stages. Although a couple of stages will share the same piece of road in opposite directions on consecutive days.
The Targa is one of several Tarmac Rally events to be held in Australia. It also has had international connections with Targa New Zealand and Targa Newfoundland which have evolved since the inception of Targa Tasmania.
List of past winners In 2016 the premier category changed from Modern to Showroom GT2.
Showroom GT4 Competition + Showroom GT4 winners by year Year Driver Navigator Vehicle 2016 Steve Glenney Tim Kulhanek 947 Subaru STI SPEC C 2017 Angus Kennard Ian Wheeler 962 Nissan GT-R R35
Showroom GT2 Competition + Showroom GT2 winners by year Year Driver Navigator Vehicle 2016 Matt Close Cameron Reeves 991 Porsche 911 GT3 2017 Jason White John White934 Dodge Viper ACR Extreme 2018 Jason White John White934 Dodge Viper ACR Extreme
Modern Competition + Modern competition winners by year Year Driver Navigator Vehicle 1992 Greg Crick Greg Preece Honda NSX 1993 Greg Crick Greg Preece Honda NSX 1994 Andrew Miedecke Alan Taylor Porsche 944 Turbo Cup 1995 Neal Bates Coral Taylor Toyota Celica GT-Four (ST205) 1996 Jim Richards Barry Oliver Porsche 911 (993) 1997 Jim Richards Barry Oliver Porsche 911 (993) 1998 Jim Richards Barry Oliver Porsche 911 (993) 1999 Peter Fitzgerald Michael MansourPorsche 911 (993) 2000 Jim Richards Barry Oliver Porsche 911 GT3 2001 Jim Richards Barry Oliver Porsche 911 (996) 2002 Jim Richards Barry Oliver Porsche 911 (996) 2003 Jim Richards Barry Oliver Porsche 911 (996) 2004 Tony Sullens Julia Rabbett Subaru Impreza WRX STi S202 2005 Jason White John White Nissan Skyline GT-R 2006 Jim Richards Barry Oliver Porsche 911 GT2 CS (996) 2007 Tony Sullens Julia Barkley Subaru Impreza WRX Type RA (GC8) 2008 Steve Glenney Bernie Webb Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX RS 2009 Tony Quinn Naomi Tillett Nissan GT-R 2010 Jason White John White Lamborghini Gallardo Super Trofeo 2011 Tony Quinn Naomi Tillett Nissan GT-R 2012 Jason White John White Lamborghini Gallardo Super Trofeo 2013 Jason White John White Lamborghini Gallardo Super Trofeo 2014 Jamie Vandenberg Dennis Sims Nissan GT-R 2015 Jason White John White Lamborghini Gallardo Squadra Corse
Classic Competition + Classic Competition winners by year Year Driver Navigator Vehicle 1998 Peter Fitzgerald Michael Petersen Porsche 356 1999 Robert White Angus Macleod Sunbeam Tiger 2000 Jeremy Browne Stella Plenderleith Lancia Fulvia 2001 Paul Stuart Mark Connolly Porsche 911 2002 Rex Broadbent Michael Goedheer Porsche 911 RSR 2003 Graham Copeland Jon Siddens Datsun 1800SSS 2004 Nick Ellis Tracy Williams Ford Escort RS2000 2005 Michael Conway Simon Gardiner Ford Escort RS2000 2006Targa Tasmania 2006 Results by Rally Results Ian Morris Alex Molocznyk1981 Alfa Romeo GTV6 2007Targa Tasmania 2007 Results by Rally Results Rex Broadbent Michael Goedheer1974 Porsche 911 RS 2008Targa Tasmania 2008 Results by Rally Results Rex Broadbent Guy Lilleyman 1974 Porsche 911 RS 2009Targa Tasmania 2009 Results By Rally ResultsRex Broadbent Michael Goedheer 1974 Porsche 911 RS 2010Targa Tasmania 2010 Results By Rally Results Rex Broadbent Chris Randell 1974 Porsche 911 RS 2011Targa Tasmania 2011 Results By Rally Results Rex Broadbent Chris Randell 1974 Porsche 911 RS 2012Targa Tasmania 2012 Results By Rally Results Rex Broadbent Chris Randell 1974 Porsche 911 RS 2013Targa Tasmania 2013 Results By Rally Results Donn Todd Dean Tighe 1971 Ford Capri Perana V8 2014Targa Tasmania 2014 Results By Rally Results Barry Faux Therezia Mhajlovic 1985 Mazda RX-7 2015Targa Tasmania 2015 Results By Rally Results Craig Haysman Mary Hughes 1981 Triumph TR7 2016Targa Tasmania 2016 Results By Rally Results Leigh Achterberg Greg Fitzgerald 1982 Porsche 944
Trophies Awarded A Targa Trophy is awarded to the driver and co-driver/navigator of each crew that completes all stages within the specified time for their class of vehicle. In subsequent years, the trophy may be upgraded as follows:
Golden Targa Trophy - 3 consecutive regular trophies Platinum Targa Trophy - having achieved Gold then gaining another 3 consecutive regular trophies Diamond Targa Trophy - having achieved Platinum then gaining another 3 consecutive regular trophies Gold Diamond Targa Trophy - having achieved Diamond then gaining another 3 consecutive regular trophies Platinum Diamond Targa Trophy - having achieved Gold Diamond then gaining another 3 consecutive regular trophies
Once achieving Platinum Gold, the competitor is inducted into the Targa Hall of Fame Legends
+ 2017 Trophy Classifications Class Competitors Gold (3 successive regular) Mary Hughes, Greg Fitzgerald, Suzanne Atkins, Steve Glenney, Scott Hunter, Trevor Macleod Platinum (2 x gold)Ian Wheeler, Peter Roberts, Angus Kennard, Neil Botha, Kim Burke, Damien Grimwood Diamond (3 x gold) Naomi Tillett, Kelly Handley, Peter Ullrich, Max Warwick Gold Diamond (4 x gold) Doug Fernie, Simon Davison, Amanda Davison, Lee Harper Platinum Diamond 5 x gold) Geoff Taylor, Stephen Thatcher
In 2019, Geoff Taylor (aged 73+) was the only competitor to have competed in all events.
In addition, each year the Denny Hulme Memorial Trophy is awarded to the competitor who exhibits tenacity to overcome adversity while completing the event. It was first awarded in 1993.
Notable competitors Notable past and current competitors have included Andrew Miedecke, Barry Sheene, Bob Wollek, Denny Hulme, Dick Johnson, Glenn Ridge, Greg Crick, Gregg Hansford, Jack Brabham, Jim Richards, Jochen Mass, Steven Richards, Jon and Gina Siddins, Mick Doohan, Murray Walker, Neal Bates, Peter Brock, Peter Fitzgerald, Roger Clark, Rex Broadbent, Rusty French, Sandro Munari, Stirling Moss, Alister McRae, Walter Röhrl and Eric Bana.Targa Tasmania The Daily Telegraph 6 June 2008 The first person with a spinal cord injury to compete in the rally was Australian wheelchair rugby player Nazim Erdem.
See also Australian Targa Championship List of events in Tasmania Love the Beast
References
http://www.targatasmania.com.au/Results/Past http://www.targatasmania.com.au/
External links Targa Tasmania website Eric Bana guns it to Max Herald Sun Team RedBackRacing website