Region set to lap up world’s focus on rally
TWO Cairns sparkies can’t wait to tear up to the Atherton Tablelands in their Subaru when the Far North hosts the biggest motorsport event the region has ever seen next year.
Smithfield driver Dylan Langeluddecke and Edmonton revhead James Harre attended the inaugural Targa Great Barrier Reef rally launch at the Cairns Esplanade yesterday.
The pair have competed at the world’s largest tarmac rally, Targa Tasmania, for the past three years and believe the Far North’s version won’t disappoint.
“A lot of our ranges are up and down, so it gives drivers a great chance to experience the different terrain and scenery that Cairns has to offer,” Mr Harre said. “Any of the ranges – Gillies, Kuranda or the Rex – are all going to be a good road to drive.”
The pair will drive a 2003 Subaru WRX-STI they rebuilt after crashing at last year’s Tasmania Targa event.
Competitors will drive around a “super street stage” of a 4.5km closed road circuit for three hours on the Saturday night, September 1, 2018 .
“I think Cairns probably won’t fully understand what a great event it is until they see it and see how much it can bring to the area,” Mr Harre said.
“For people coming up from Tasmania and people in the southern states, it will be a great change for them with the different scenery and roads.”
Targa Australia event director Mark Perry said organisers would speak with residents and businesses before a route was finalised.
“It is about family. It is about going on a holiday and going to an iconic tourism destination. That is why Cairns ticked the box for us,” he said.
Tourism Tropical North Queensland chief executive Pip Close said the event was an exciting opportunity to showcase the Far North to the world.
“It is very much about the promotion of the region and the tourism that will follow,” she said.