Targa dream drives North
ROSS REYNOLDS HAD A CRAZY IDEA AND THE DETERMINATION TO MAKE IT A REALITY. NOW HIS BRAINCHILD IS DELIVERING A MAJOR TOURISM COUP TO THE CAIRNS REGION, WRITES HAYDEN SMITH
Ross Reynolds (above) had a crazy idea and the determination to make it a reality. Now his brainchild is delivering a major tourism coup to the Cairns region.
Not one to shy away from an opportunity, the Cairns motoring buff picked up the phone and called Targa Australia director Mark Perry.
The conversation, in late 2014, would ultimately lead to a major tourism coup for the Far North.
About three years after the initial phone call, it has been announced the inaugural Targa Great Barrier Reef would be held from August 31 to September 2 next year.
NOT one to shy away from an opportunity, Cairns motoring buff Ross Reynolds picked up the phone and called Targa Australia director Mark Perry.
The conversation, in late 2014, would ultimately lead to a major tourism coup for the Far North.
Mr Reynolds had been inspired by Targa Tasmania – a popular motoring event held annually in the Apple Isle – and thought the concept was perfectly suited to the picturesque tropical roads.
“I gave him a ring and outlined this crazy idea I had,” he recalled.
“Targa were at a time when they were looking to consolidate the core business. They weren’t looking to grow or add another event.
“But, at the same time, I was seeing the excitement building here in Cairns.
“After a while Mark agreed to come up. He had a look at what was here and said – ‘OK, I get it now.’
“He could see straight away Cairns’ enthusiasm for the event. He figured that the event would work and Cairns was willing to get behind it.”
Earlier this month, about three years after the initial phone call, it was announced the inaugural Targa Great Barrier Reef would be held from August 31 to September 2 next year.
Mr Reynolds, who will work as the event manager, was thrilled to see the concept come to fruition.
“Once we had in-principle support from police, TMR, each of the councils, and Tourism and Events Queensland – at that moment we knew we were there,” he said.
“It was exciting and relieving to go from an idea, which seemed to make sense, to a reality.”
A Cairns resident since 1993, Mr Reynolds has never been into racing cars himself.
But the Sydney-raised father-of-three is as pure a motorsport fan as they come.
He has attended the famous Bathurst 1000 many times, but his maiden journey to Mount Panorama ended in disappointment.
“My oldest brother woke us up one morning at 5am and said: ‘We’re going to Bathurst.’ He was much older than me and had his licence,” Mr Reynolds said.
“I was like: ‘ What’s Bathurst?’ And he said: ‘You’ll find out when you get there.’
“But we never actually made it, we got as far as Penrith before the car broke down. So we went home and watched the race on TV.”
For almost 10 years now he has worked for several professional racing teams, mainly
TARGA GREAT BARRIER REEF, AUGUST 31 TO SEPTEMBER 2, 2018, TO FEATURE UP TO 200 CARS COMPETING ACROSS 200KM OF FAR NORTH ROAD
THIS IS A GATEWAY TO ASIA. IT’S DIFFICULT FOR SOMEONE FROM SINGAPORE OR JAPAN TO GET TO TASMANIA … ATTRACTING MORE PEOPLE FROM OVERSEAS MARKETS IS A BIG PART OF THE GROWTH ROSS REYNOLDS
in commercial management roles, while still holding a day job in Cairns.
“The Supercars were going to Townsville and I decided I really wanted to be a part of it,” he said.
“I approached all of the teams and Greg Murphy’s father Kevin wanted to meet for a chat.
“I figured I’d last six months, but I’m still here nine years later.
“Every time you go to a race event, you’re welcomed back into a family. It’s pretty cool.”
Targa Great Barrier Reef is tipped to feature up to 200 cars competing across 200km of Far North road.
Mr Reynolds said residents would be consulted before the course was finalised.
“If you live in Cairns and know the good driving roads, you could probably have a guess at where we might go,” he said.
The event was only announced weeks ago, but Mr Reynolds said he had been “blown away” by the public’s response.
“We had a 16-year-old approach us, from Cairns, and he wanted to be the youngest Targa driver ever. And we can accommodate him in one of the touring categories,” he said.
“It’s been unlike any other event Targa has announced.
“We want to still be here in 10 to 15 years.
“This is a gateway to Asia. It’s difficult for someone from Singapore or Japan to get to Tasmania … attracting more people from overseas markets is a big part of the growth.”
He said Targa Great Barrier Reef, tipped to generate at least $2 million for the Far North, would be like nothing the region had ever seen before.
“We’ll certainly be based in Cairns each night, but we’ll travel out to the towns,” he said. “The whole region is our stadium.”