Team: Aylmer Express - Targa Newfoundland

Driver: Brett Hueston

Co-driver: John Hueston

Car: Subaru BRZ TS

Division: Targa 1

Country: Canada

*Aylmer Express at speed in the Conception Harbour stage. (Photo: Larry Strung)*

Father and son team eager for more Targa

For years, John and Brett Hueston of Aylmer, Ontario followed Targa Newfoundland and talked about doing the rally together “one day”. That day finally happened as the father and son team entered Targa in 2024. Their first taste of Targa only left them wanting more so they’re coming back this fall for another run.

*John and Brett with their Subaru BRZ prior to the 2024 Targa. (Photo: Blair Riddle)*

“Targa was superb,” said John after the rally. “We had no idea what to expect really. We came in, I suppose, a little bit afraid of what was in front of us and it’s tough that it’s over now. It was so good. If you haven’t done this, you haven’t driven.”

Those emotions were echoed by Brett. “Targa was unbelievable. We expected it to be an unbelievable experience, but our expectations were exceeded by double. It was more beautiful than we knew it was going to be. The roads were more exciting than we knew they were going to be. I can’t say enough about the experience, the people, the volunteers, the competitors, everybody all the way through. Everything was indescribably positive. It was just something else.”

*The BRZ was well suited to the winding ribbon of road on Random Island. (Photo: Larry Strung)*

John and Brett have years of experience racing motorcycles, but until last year had never tried a car rally. John raced motocross in the 1970s and ’80s, including a factory ride with Yamaha. Both he and Brett raced mountain, road and track bikes as well.

The challenge was finding the right car. At 6-foot-1 (John) and 6-foot-4 (Brett), choosing a car largely came down to fit. “Thankfully, the Subaru, which seemed like a perfectly balanced car for Targa, came without a sunroof and a couple small ‘Gurney bubbles’ so we were snug with helmets on.”

John and Brett are the third and fourth generation in the family business, Aylmer Express Graphics Group, their commercial printing and publishing company in Aylmer, Ontario which traces its history back to 1880. Their Subaru will proudly bear the company logo as they blast through the Newfoundland landscape this September.

At the awards gala following Targa 2024 last fall, John summed up how he felt about Targa. “I spent six months leading up to Targa dreading it but once it began I spent six days dreading it would end. This is an incredible event.”