Targa race cars at the 2009 Targa New Zealand rally. The race series has been held annually since 1995.

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. [1] 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[1] 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. [1]

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 9
2017 Glenn Inkster Spencer Winn Mitsubishi Evo 8
2018 Glenn Inkster Spencer Winn Mitsubishi Evo 8
2019 Haydn Mackenzie Matthew Sayers MitsubishiLancer EVO X RS
2020 - - -
2021 - - -
2022 Cameron Ross Matthew Buer Subaru Impreza

Multiple Winners

Driver

Wins Driver Years
5 United Kingdom Tony Quinn (2003, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012)
New Zealand Glenn Inkster (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018)
2 New Zealand Greg Graham (1995, 1996)
New Zealand Geoff Ray (1997, 1998)
New Zealand Jim Richards (2004, 2005)
New Zealand Joe McAndrew (2006, 2007)

Co-Driver

Wins Co-Driver Years

Manufacturer

Wins Manufacturer Years
10 Mitsubishi (1997-2000, 2014-2019)
6 Nissan (2006-2007, 2009-2012)
4 Porsche (2003-2005, 2013)
4 Subaru (1995-1996, 2008, 2022)

Well known Targa entrants

Murray Walker, Racing in Targa New Zealand. Also in picture Adam Spence on right.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Thompson, Eric (2008-09-10). "Everything goes at Targa". New Zealand Herald. ISSN 1170-0777. Retrieved 2016-01-07.
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