Targa Newfoundland 2024 ended a week ago and I am still buzzed from driving in the rally for the first time. Six days of driving, 2000 km of fun and challenging roads, gorgeous scenery, and wonderful people adds up to an unforgettable experience.

I saw the coverage of past Targas years ago and it left an indelible impression. When I moved to Newfoundland and Labrador and discovered Targa was still running, I eagerly offered to volunteer. I’ve been writing about this legendary event since March as the media relations manager but writing about Targa and experiencing it firsthand are two different things.

Sharing driving and navigating duties with Targa veteran Wayne Lorenzen, we lead the non-competitive Fast Tour as the guide car in my mostly stock 2015 VW GTI. It was the thrill of a lifetime for me. I’m hooked.

Driving fast on a closed, roller coaster section of coastal highway on the Cape Shore with two BMWs close behind; blasting through the streets of Gander and Bay Bulls at speed with crowds waving and cheering; and finally, navigating the tight, winding lanes of historic Brigus in the rain – it was an amazing, incomparable experience for a gearhead like me. It was like living out scenes from the movies “Gumball Rally” about a cross country road race or “The Road Warrior”, minus the hordes of feral gangs of course.

My fast and trusty, nine-year-old VW GTI (“Heidi”) performed flawlessly. I wish I could say the same about me. It was the best time I’ve ever had in a car – well, driving anyway.

If you’ve never been to Newfoundland and Labrador, put it on your “must visit list” as it’s truly a spectacular, enchanting, and special place – the scenery, the people, the history, and the food.

If you’ve always wanted to drive in Targa Newfoundland, the only tarmac rally of its kind in North America, what are you waiting for? Put that on your “must do list” and apply now.

Targa Newfoundland 2025 is set for September 11-18, 2025.

Registration is now open. You know you want to run.