Targa drivers hit the mark
One stage, and competitors looking to 2019
ONE of the favourites in the Targa Great Barrier Reef, driver Paul Stokell and navigator Malcolm Read, gave their 2014 Lotus Exige a workout down the Gillies Range yesterday. They are second behind Jason White and John White in a 2016 Dodge Viper.
TARGA Great Barrier Reef is taking Far North Queensland by storm, with interest already flooding in for another event in 2019.
The inaugural tarmac event kicked off from the Cairns Reef Hotel Casino yesterday before the field of 215 cars, ranging from some classic cars right through to some of the worlds most prestige marques, made their way to the first of 18 stages at Green Hill.
Targa Australia event director Mark Perry said interest for a second Targa Great Barrier Reef started to roll in following just the first stage of the race.
“It’s a ‘money can’t buy’ experience and that is why it is so popular,” he said.
“After the morning and even at the lunch break competitors were asking ‘when do entries open for 2019? We want to enter now’, so that’s a great start.”
“The Porsche tour that brought 30 cars – they’re already saying they’ll bring 60 next year. They’re just so excited.”
Mr Perry said Targa Great Barrier Reef had been three years in the making and anticipated it would attracted a larger field next year.
“I think there’ll be a lot more locals in the event next year too, because they don’t really get the concept until they sit on the fence,” he said.
“But there’s plenty of people out there ringing up our office ‘saying how do I enter for next year?’.
“We’re just so grateful to everybody in Cairns . . . all the stakeholders that have helped make this event happen, they should all be very happy.
“We all had a dream and we all had to work on the dream.
“It’s taken us three years for it to happen, but it’s been well worth it.”
A strong contingent of local fans lined the course across the Tablelands yesterday, all eager to catch a glimpse of the impressive tarmac cars.
“It’s been overwhelming the level of interest, the love and support and just the people here and how excited everybody is,” Mr Perry said.
“Given the lack of knowledge and experience around the whole concept of Targa before we got here, people have really done their homework and have understood that Targa is just a massive, fun event.
“There’s a serious side, but a lot of the people in the event are just enjoying their lives and will take everyone on the journey ... it’s what Targa is all about. It’s more than just a motorsport event.”
The region’s roads have also been commended by drivers, many of whom travelled from various parts of the country to take part.
“The visitors were just blown away by how good the Gillies Range actually was,” Mr Perry said.
“Even the locals, because you get both sides of the road and there’s nothing coming the other way, it’s just a different road.”
Mr Perry said the serious side of the tarmac event would ramp up today, with drivers set to show their competiveness on the Tablelands.