TARGA HAWKE’S BAY — ROUTES, ITINERARY, AND COMPETITOR LIST

TIMING AND A MOVE AWAY FROM THE CENTRAL NORTH ISLAND HAS PROVED POPULAR WITH COMPETITORS IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE

For the last five years — apart from 2014, when we were in the South Island — we have enjoyed finishing Targa New Zealand in Havelock North, so we decided to create a standalone two-day event in Hawke’s Bay. This has been welcomed by the district, so we intend to make it a permanent fixture in the Targa calendar.

The event is also the first one-day rally we have created for the local car club to be able to enjoy the roads as well, thus reducing the impact on the rural community by sharing the use of the roads in the same closure.

Another reason for the move from the Central North Island was the weather. We expect to have a much higher probability of fine conditions in May around Hawke’s Bay than we did in Rotorua, and, from the feedback we have received, moving Targa Rotorua to March was a master stroke.

We would like to thank the local business community, Hastings District Council, Central Hawke’s Bay District Council, and the Tararua District Council for the use of their roads for this wonderful event, and we look forward to working with them in the future.

A special thanks to our loyal sponsors, and also to Tomoana Warehousing, which we welcome on board as the sponsor of the one-day event — we ask you to support it whenever possible.

Lastly, again a very special thanks to all the volunteers who give their time in lieu of fundraising opportunities for the various community groups. Without this support event of this magnitude could not take place.