FLAMING SUCCESS
Vroom to grow for Targa Great Barrier Reef as rally success fires up Far North economy
TARGA Great Barrier Reef’s overwhelming success has prompted a three-year deal with entry for next year’s event open from Friday.
More than $2.5 million was pumped into the Cairns economy over the last three days as a direct result of the inaugural event.
Targa Australia event director Mark Perry said it had been an amazing first year with everything running as smoothly as it possibly could.
“We’re just overwhelmed by the welcome mat we’ve received from Far North Queensland. We’ll be here for at least another two years,” he said.
Up to 500 officials, the majority from the region, were involved in the event which covered 18 stages.
“It’s fair to say that we’re expecting north of $2.5 million and into $3 million as a direct economic return in the Cairns region … in and around the event.”
Mr Perry said there was a bigger field than first estimated. People had arrived earlier and were staying on to attend the Cairns Amateurs Racing Carnival this weekend.
Drivers were already registering their interest for next year and as a result Mr Perry said entry will be open from this coming Friday rather than the usual six months out.
“There’s just been so much interest and people wanting to enter already,” he said.
“It’s taken three years for us to get it all up and running. It’s been a very long journey. It’s all very surreal for everyone involved.
“I think everyone’s got what they expected and more. We brought the cavalcade of motoring history to Cairns.”
Overall winners were Tasmania uncle and nephew team Jason and John White, who blitzed the event in their Dodge Viper winning by 53 seconds.
The final leg at Theresa Creek was downgraded to a touring leg after a grass fire on the Millaa Millaa Road stage caused delays beyond the allotted road closure time.
“It’s not unusual for a rally. It’s always disappointing, but it’s not unusual because you can only close the roads for so long. The public come first … and we’ve shown that over the last three days,” Mr Perry said.
Every driver who was inter- viewed at the finish line praised the stunning scenery in the Far North.
Zero car driver Geoff Taylor, who’s raced in 27 Targa Tasmania runs, said this event was “equal if not better”.
“The roads were sensational. In fact two of those roads were the best Targa stages I’ve driven on,” he said.
Mayor Bob Manning was pleased how the whole event had turned out from start to finish.
“It’s been great for the city. We know tourists come for the reef and rainforest. This was something different,” Cr Manning said.
“Everyone gets a bit of a kick from it.”
Innisfail mum Jamie Genocchio was cheering with her three kids Leighton, Brooklyn and Frankee for husband and father Anthony Genocchio to finish the race.
Mrs Genocchio said her husband had competed in the Targa Tasmania run since 2011 and was stoked to be racing on home soil.
“It’s been perfect weather, can’t ask for much more than that,” she said.
“It’s shown off this beautiful part of the world. They’ve seen the rainforest and up the Tablelands, great roads.
“He will definitely be competing next year.”