Targa Rally shifts up a gear
Targa Rally managers were in Invercargill yesterday putting together the final touches for the event, which is expected to bring thousands of people to Southland.
The rally is returning to the South Island for the second time in its 24-year history for five days of racing, starting from Bill Richardson’s Transport World in Invercargill on October 23.
Targa Rally media liaison Paul Shanahan said the event had been upgraded since its previous visit in 2014.
Auckland-based Shanahan was in town yesterday with marketing manager Gordon Legge to speak to businesses about the event and plan community events during the days the event will be held.
There were also people out testing which roads would be suitable and personally talking to residents in the areas where roads might be used, Shanahan said.
The route was also having locations scouted for the best spectator viewing spots, he said.
‘‘Traditionally it’s been just a motorsport event, but the dimension we are adding is spectator enjoyment.’’
The Targa Rally is a motorsport endurance event allowing classic and modern race cars of all ages to compete equally in one event.
So far the event has about 150 entries, with more people showing
‘‘The race will deliver significant economic benefit.’’ Targa Rally’s Paul Shanahan
interest daily, and support people, mechanics and families are expected to bring numbers to about 1000.
The rally, which will be the biggest tarmac rally in Australasia, will be bigger than events Shanahan had previously seen in the North Island.
The event will be in Invercargill for two days, then moves to Dunedin for two nights and then Queenstown for two nights, finishing at Highlands Motorsport Park on October 27.
As well as competition cars, which are kitted out with a roll cage and drivers in protective gear, the event also showcased tour cars – which tended to be ‘‘aspirational cars’’, including Lamborghinis, Aston Martins and Rolls-Royces.
The event could have started in Queenstown or Dunedin, but the warm welcome from Invercargill had been overwhelming, he said.
‘‘Invercargill has always been prepared to stretch its neck out and be a bit braver.’’
The race would likely bring in millions in revenue for the region with teams spending thousands of dollars each day during the rally, Shanahan said.
‘‘The race will deliver significant economic benefit right across the region during a period traditionally regarded as a shoulder season.’’
The event will host drivers from throughout the country as well as Australia and the United Kingdom.