With preparations in full swing for Targa Newfoundland’s first event since 2019, organizers are proud to acknowledge the contributions of volunteers spanning its two-decade history.

Since its first event in 2002, Targa Newfoundland has benefitted from the participation of thousands of people with varying skills and backgrounds. “Without the invaluable contributions of our amazing volunteers, Targa could never have left the Start Line,” said Targa Newfoundland President, Joe Dowden. “Whether it’s our Stage Marshals, week-long volunteers, or Management team, this event is built on volunteers.”

During the 22 events successfully run by Targa, volunteers in over 200 communities around the island have provided some 21,000 days of service. These fans and supporters have hailed from the communities hosting the event, from across Canada, and from around the world. 

“Participating as a volunteer has truly become as much an experience as competing in the event,” added Dowden. “Volunteers who return year after year, and colleagues who have become life-long friends are a testament to that.” Visit targanfld.com for more information on volunteering.

Owned and operated by Newfoundland International Motorsports Limited, Targa Newfoundland is one of three internationally recognized Targa motorsports events in the world. The 2023 event starts with our two-day Course Familiarization School on September 14-15 with Prologue Stages occurring on the morning of September 16. The actual competition starts in St. John’s on the afternoon of September 16 and concludes back in the capital on September 21 with the annual Awards Gala held on September 22. The rally will cover more than 1,800 kilometres of the challenging, twisty roads of the central and eastern portion of the island of Newfoundland, including over 500 kilometres of closed-road, flat-out Targa stages

We would like you to meet your friendly neighbourhood car enthusiast and racing aficionado, Corey Finkelstein. As a long-time fan of Targa Newfoundland, it is truly an honour for us to have him as part of our incredible event and its dynamic team. 

Corey has always had a deep appreciation for the thrill of speed and the raw power of high-performance vehicles. His passion for cars and racing has been with him for as long as he can remember, and Targa Newfoundland has always held a special place in his heart. The people, the breathtaking scenery, the challenging courses, and the competitive spirit of the event have always inspired him to push himself to the limit. Corey, along with his navigator Wayne Lorenzen, raced the Targa Bambina, Newfoundland in 2018.

To quote Corey, “As a member of the Targa Newfoundland team, I am excited to bring my passion and expertise to the table. With years of experience in the automotive industry, I have gained an in-depth knowledge of the latest trends, technologies, and marketing strategies. I am always looking for innovative ways to promote Targa Newfoundland and to engage with Targa fans and supporters.

“My role at Targa Newfoundland will involve managing a wide range of responsibilities, from coordinating events and liaising with sponsors to developing marketing strategies and creating engaging content for social media. I am always on the lookout for new opportunities to showcase the event and to bring in new fans and supporters”, says Corey

At the end of the day, Corey’s goal is to help make Targa Newfoundland the best it can be. He is committed to working closely with the team and leveraging his skills and experience to ensure that the event continues to thrive and grow.

When he is not working on Targa Newfoundland, he can be found tinkering with cars, attending car shows, or racing on the track. Corey is a true car enthusiast at heart, and always looking for ways to deepen his knowledge and appreciation of this Canadian incredible industry.

In summary, he is Corey Finkelstein, a dedicated car enthusiast and proud member of the Targa Newfoundland team. With his passion, skills, and experience, he is committed to helping make this event a resounding success, year after year. To once again quote Corey. “Let’s rev those engines and race the rock!”

Contact: 

Corey Finkelstein
437-777-1620

[email protected]

With the goal of building on an already spectacular safety record, Targa Newfoundland has updated its rules and regulations to better reflect advances in technology, and to incorporate safety measures learned from similar events.

After a 3-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Targa organizers felt it was the perfect opportunity to make important changes. “Although our safety record is second to none, we recognize there’s always room for improvement,” explained Targa President, Joe Dowden. “To that end, we’ve implemented a number of measures, including GPS tracking, to increase the safety of competitors, volunteers, and, most importantly, spectators.” 

Using transmitters attached to competitor and volunteer vehicles, the event’s Command Centre will be able to monitor speed and location in real-time, enabling Targa organizers to act immediately if safety concerns are presented. In addition, new regulations with respect to in-car safety equipment and measures have also been implemented. 

“After an extended break,” said Dowden, “Targa will be back – better and safer than ever.” The updated rules and regulations can be found at targanfld.com. 

The 2023 event starts with our two-day Course Familiarization School on September 14-15 with Prologue Stages occurring on the morning of September 16. The actual competition starts in St. John’s on the afternoon of September 16 and concludes back in the capital on September 21 with the annual Awards Gala held on September 22. The rally will cover more than 1,800 kilometres of the challenging, twisty roads of the central and eastern portion of the island of Newfoundland, including over 500 kilometres of closed-road, flat-out Targa stages.

We are pleased to announce the confirmation of Targa Newfoundland 2023. Registration is now open to a limited number of entrants. The deadline to register is May 21st, 2023. It’s been 4 years since the last event and this year’s event is anticipated to be the best Targa yet, with some exciting details soon to follow.

The 2023 event will start on Saturday, September 16th in the Southern Avalon Peninsula in
communities that border on St. Mary’s Bay, then progress on Sunday the 17th to the South
West Avalon moving through communities on Placentia Bay. On Monday the 18th, it will travel to the Notre Dame Bay area communities and then move on Tuesday the 19h to the Eastport
Peninsula on Bonavista Bay. On Wednesday the 20th, it will be in the Random Island area on
Trinity Bay, then travelling on Thursday the 21st to the final day in the Conception Bay area,
finishing up in the penultimate and final stages in Brigus. The awards gala will be held in St.
John’s on Friday evening September 22nd.

“I believe that we start to see our true personalities when we go through the
most difficult moments. This is when we get stronger” (Aryton Senna)

NEWFOUNDLAND INTERNATIONAL MOTORSPORTS LIMITED 

We are extremely honoured to announce Robert Giannou’s induction into the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame Class of 2022. Robert joins an elite group of 262 members that have been recognized for their significant contributions to Motorsports in Canada.  

Giannou has held various roles with CASC over the years, including Race Director Atlantic Region and Assistant National Race Director, most notably starting Targa Newfoundland in 2002. Without Roberts’s vision and guidance, we wouldn’t have such an exceptional event today that challenges drivers, cars, and teams, and brings communities across Newfoundland together all for the love of motorsport. In 2010, he worked with Janet Brake to create a safety protocol that made Targa Newfoundland the safest of the three main Targa events, with incident rates being reduced from 17% to 1.5%.

We thank you for all of your dedication to the motorsport community and the communities in Newfoundland.