IT’S TARGA TIME

Ithink I’m beginning to believe in the old cliché that reminds us that the older we get, the faster time passes us by. I say this because I honestly can’t believe a whole year has gone by since we were setting out last year’s Targa programme in this magazine.

It’s been 25 years since the first Targa New Zealand took place in 1995, and in the years between then and now, the event has been through many changes.

In 1995, the majority of the entrants drove classic cars; today’s larger fields include fewer classics, although older competition cars still make up a good proportion of the Targa field.

However, the challenge laid down by Targa New Zealand remains unchanged: there are no quick sprints to the finish, but tenacity, consistent driving, and dogged determination will be rewarded by the satisfaction of overcoming all odds to cross the finish line at the end of the event.

For several years I had the privilege of following every Targa event around the North Island, gathering information for my post-event reports in this magazine. During that time I not only got to see some of the most immaculately prepared competition cars, but I also got to meet some of the most interesting and nicest people I’ve ever encountered.

This year, the 25th anniversary of Targa in New Zealand will commence with documentation in Taupo on Labour Day, Monday, 28 October before travelling through the central North Island to conclude on Saturday, 2 November 2019 in Palmerston North. This spectacular event is approximately 800km of special stages, traversing the central and lower North Island, on some of the best roads in the world. For all the information you need, a full 2019 Targa New Zealand event programme, including itinerary, maps, and driver listings, is at the back of this issue.

Thinking back to 2011, this year’s event has a familiar feel about it. Labour weekend 2011 will undoubtedly be etched into the minds of most New Zealanders after the All Blacks epic nail-biting one-point defeat over France in the Rugby World Cup final. In appreciation, an estimated quarter of a million jubilant fans lined Auckland’s Queen Street and surrounding inner city streets for an amazing victory parade for the triumphant All Black team on the Monday afternoon. Let’s hope the boys in black do it again this year.

However, Monday afternoon was not limited to rugby fans, as Targa cars started to assemble in the Viaduct Basin for the 2011 Targa New Zealand. This event had a whole new look and feel about it as, for the first time, the cars travelled to the Far North after leaving Auckland on the first leg, with parc fermé overnight in central Whangarei before they headed back to Takanini in South Auckland on day two.

I attended the prize-giving at Hawke’s Bay Opera House and, after event directors Peter and Vicki Martin and their team received welldeserved accolades for their outstanding efforts in organizing this great event, international competitor, and now owner of Highlands Motorsport Park and Hampton Downs, Tony Quinn took to the stage, just before he was due to fly back to Australia. In my opinion, he summed up the event perfectly by saying that it is one of the best organized, value-for-money events anywhere in the world.

On behalf of all the team at New Zealand Classic Car, I would like to wish all the volunteers and competitors a safe and enjoyable event.