Targa 1 winning Porsche 911 tackles the streets of Gander. (Photo: Ralph Saulnier)
Believe it or not but it does rain sometimes in Newfoundland. Fall here often brings hot, sunny days too. Choosing a tire that handles well in both dry and wet conditions will keep your car on the road and get you to the finish line.
Tires are your connection to the road and must not be overlooked. Choose tires with good drainage capabilities to shed water effectively. Avoid excessively wide tires as they tend to aquaplane. Select tires with a good wear rate and an aspect ratio of at least 40 for that necessary sidewall cushioning against road bumps and potholes (yes, we have some of those too).
Teams are allowed a maximum of six (6) competition tires: four (4) tires fitted to the vehicle and up to two (2) spare competition tires all with a minimum tread depth of 3/32 inch.
The winning Porsche 911 in Targa 1 last year ran a set of Yokohama A052 summer performance tires that kept the classic sportscar ahead of the pack. In Targa Tour, the VW GTI getting a bath in the photo below drove on Michelin Pilot Sport AS3 all season tires that also performed well. Whatever tires you choose, make sure you are ready for all weather and road conditions.
VW GTI takes a bath in Brigus. (Photo: Ralph Saulnier)
In the March edition of the Targa newsletter: GT is back, Meet Stream Racing and Driving La Carrera, Experience Targa Tour, Visit the Irish Loop, and more!
Driver/ Co-driver: Wayne Lorenzen Driver/ Co-driver: Aaron Ayotte Vehicle: 2002 MINI Cooper S Division: Targa 2 Country: Canada and United States
Wayne Lorenzen and Aaron Ayotte will share driving duties in this MINI with Targa pedigree. (Photo: Ralph Saulnier)
Double R Racing is a double threat in Targa 2
Two friends from different parts of North America met on a vacation and bonded over a common love of motorsport. Now, Canadian Wayne Lorenzen and American Aaron Ayotte will run Targa Newfoundland as teammates in Roger Roger Racing (or Double R Racing for short) sharing the driving and co-driving duties in a MINI that is a past rally winner.
Aaron Ayotte and Wayne Lorenzen of Double R Racing.
Wayne Lorenzen, who lives in Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador, started racing in 2010 with Targa and has since participated in 15 events including the full Targa Newfoundland and Targa Bambina. Roger Roger Racing is his first team where he will be driving and co-driving in a full rally in class Targa 2.
“I started racing Targa Newfoundland in 2010 with Targa veteran Brad Melendy in his Camaro IROC. Brad helped jumpstart my Targa adventure that continues today.”
Wayne with local racing royalty Brad Melendy.
He’s a retired aviation safety specialist and martial artist. In his spare time he volunteers in his community and hikes with his three dogs. He’s an avid motorcyclist, amateur musician and mediocre pool player.
He is also the registrar for Targa Newfoundland and enjoys recruiting teams for the most amazing and only tarmac rally in North America.
Driver, co-driver, and registrar, Wayne Lorenzen.
Aaron Ayotte is an American gearhead who met Wayne on a vacation back in 1996. Aaron shares Wayne’s love for Newfoundland and brought his family here once and will again for this year’s Targa Newfoundland.
Aaron’s time in the safety car sparked the desire to enter the rally as a competitor.
He got bitten by the Targa bug in 2016 as a crew member for MaxZen Racing. Following a mishap mid-race after which driver Gordon Maxwell couldn’t continue, Aaron stepped up as co-driver while Wayne drove his wife’s Jetta Wolfsburg.
Aaron and Wayne and the Jetta that was pressed into rally duty.
Fast forward to 2024 and Aaron was back as a Course Safety Vehicle driver ensuring each stage was ready before releasing the Targa cars. He had a ball. After the race he and Wayne decided it was time to empty the bucket and buy a car together and do this properly. Aaron and Wayne will be switching roles in the car with both doing driving time.
Aaron is hoping his two sons and wife Katie (also gearheads) come to volunteer themselves for Targa.
Aaron behind the wheel of the course safety car in Gander. (Photo: Ralph Saulnier)
Where did the team name come from? Wayne explains…
“Roger Roger Racing was a name that actually originated from Aaron’s son Dylan while on vacation here. We had two cars for traveling and had VHF radios to communicate. Because I spent my whole life in aviation saying ‘Roger Roger’ as the official acknowledgment that a message was received, I used it continually on the radios. Dylan was two and started saying ‘Roger Roger’ from the car seat in back. It stuck in the 20 years after. That’s the story behind the name.”
The Cape Shore is a thrilling rollercoaster ride. (Photo: Sam Heron)
The course is set* for the thrilling 2025 edition of Targa Newfoundland with 25 teams registered so far (see map below). Targa 2025 is scheduled from September 11-18.
Targa Newfoundland starts and ends in St. John’s, the oldest and easternmost city in North America, and covers about 2000 kilometres of winding, challenging roads across the breathtaking island of Newfoundland (see map below). You’ll hug the rugged coastline and speed through the streets of charming towns and outports that will welcome you with open arms.
Along the way, you’ll carve through the streets of Bay Bulls as spectators cheer you on; experience a rollercoaster ride on the road along the scenic Cape Shore; race through the streets of Gander, which took in thousands of international passengers diverted to the airport there after 9/11; speed past the rusted hulk of a shipwreck in Conception Harbour; and navigate intricate twists and turns through the narrow streets of historic Brigus … just to name a few of the many highlights.
From eastern to central Newfoundland and back again
The first rally stages will be held along the beautiful Irish Loop in Witless Bay, Bay Bulls, Burnt Cove and Bauline East – an area known as the heart of Irish culture in the province.
The scenery is amazing to see when it isn’t a blur. (Photo: Ralph Saulnier)
The next stages are in the former French capital of Placentia – Southern Avalon Peninsula area along the Cape Shore from Point Verde to St. Bride’s, Sanctuary and Cape St. Mary’s Ecological Reserve. Teams then head to Gander where they’ll race through the streets of the famous airport town.
From there, the rally winds through the Central Newfoundland towns and outports along Notre Dame Bay from Glenwood to Leading Tickles including Pleasantview, Point Leamington and Glover’s Harbour before heading to Appleton.
The next leg follows the Road to the Beaches along Eastport Peninsula on Bonavista Bay through the communities of Eastport, Happy Adventure, Salvage, Burnside, and Port Blandford.
Random Island in Trinity Bay will host multiple stages through the outports of Weybridge, Hickman’s Harbour, Lower Lance Cove and Petley.
You may be concentrating too hard to notice the shipwreck in Conception Harbour. (Photo: Ralph Saulnier)
On the final day of competition in the Conception Bay area, teams will race through Conception Harbour, Colliers, Marysvale, Turk’s Gut, and Georgetown before the finale through the narrow streets of historic Brigus.
Before teams hit the road, they take part in a two-day Course Familiarization Program (commonly called Targa School) in St. John’s including a driving skills review, stage review, and practice session. Targa wraps up in the city on the 19th with the awards gala.
The Subaru BRZ of Brett and John Hueston, Team Aylmer Express, at speed near St. Bride’s. (Photo: Larry Strung)
Competition is always close and fierce in the Targa 1 division. The 2024 title was only decided after the final stage in Brigus with several teams in contention. This year’s rally also promises to be a nail biter with a number of competitive teams registered already and eager to claim the Targa plate.
Targa 1 attracts both experienced racers, such as last year’s winners Randy Pobst and Paul Abbott, and enthusiastic amateurs with its blend of speed, challenging stages and camaraderie. It also draws a wide range of cars (and even the occasional truck).
The mix so far includes Japanese performance cars in the form of a Mitsubishi Evo V, Subaru STI, Subaru BRZ, Nissan 240SX and Sentra Spec-V, German muscle in a BMW M3, and American V8 grunt in a Ford Mustang GT and a Dodge Magnum RT – and yes, it does have a Hemi. What are you going to bring to challenge them?
Cameron Combdon and Andrew Keeping ripping through Gander in a Mitsubishi Evo. (Photo: Ralph Saulnier)
What is Targa 1?
Targa 1 is a scored and competitive division for road legal cars where teams race the clock to achieve the target time. Targa 1 cars must now be equipped with a roll bar for added safety as the top speed for this competitive division was set higher. That bar can be removable so owners can return their cars to stock appearance. Check the Rules and Regs page for more details.
The rules are simple. There are four groups within Targa 1 based on the age of the car and the number of driven wheels.
Modern Division – 2000 to present two-wheel drive (2WD) vehicles.
Modern Division – 2000 to present all-wheel drive (AWD) vehicles.
Cars are released one at a time at set intervals and race the clock to achieve the target time and minimize penalties. It’s not a race but if you’re too slow, your rivals may catch you on the course and pass you.
Sam and Rick Marshall will return in their tuned Subaru STI. (Photo: Sam Heron)
One Targa, two events
This year, Targa is divided into two events, Duemila and Rotoura, both of which include two days of classroom training (“Targa School”) with a driving skills review, stage review, and practice session before the rally begins. They run the same stages. The difference is that Duemila, which translates into two thousand as in 2000 km, is longer and includes extra stages such as the epic Brigus finale.
Targa Duemila – an eight-day competition
Targa Rotoura – a six-day competition
Which one is right for you?
How does Targa 1 compare to the other divisions?
This chart shows the average and top speeds for each division along with the safety requirements.
Group
Safety
Average Speed (kph)
Top Speed (kph)
Targa Tour
All
Roll bar required (open, removable roof, removable hard top cars)
120
130
Targa 1
2WD (Classic and Modern)
Roll bar required (all)
130
155
AWD (Classic and Modern)
Roll bar required (all)
130
155
Targa 2
2WD (Classic and Modern)
Roll cage (all)
140
180
AWD (Classic and Modern)
Roll cage (all)
140
180
Who is going to win Targa 1 In 2025? It could be you. Apply now for the ultimate tarmac rally experience!
Keir Pollard of Spud Performance says he’s ready to “tear it up” to defend the Targa 2 title.
A battle of modern versus classic cars is shaping up in Targa 2 for September 2025.
Reigning Targa 2 title holders Spud Performance from PEI will face stiff competition when they return in September with their rally-prepped 2006 MINI Cooper S JCW. Driver Keir Pollard says he’s ready to “tear it up”. Already several teams are gunning for the top prize.
For one, Wayne Lorenzen from Newfoundland and Aaron Ayotte from Texas, racing under the moniker Double R Racing, are bringing a hot 2002 MINI Cooper S with Targa history to give them a run for the podium. That car won the Modern division in 2015 and 2016. Wayne has driven and co-driven Targa several times as well as volunteering with the organization. Aaron volunteered with Targa this year.
Wayne Lorenzen and Aaron Ayotte will compete in this MINI with Targa pedigree.
The experienced rally team of driver Enrico Bouchard and co-driver Patrick Lévesque from Quebec make their debut in Targa with their spectacular 1968 BMW 1600ti. They’ve had success in rallies in their home province and eastern Canada as competitors in the Canadian Rally Championship.
Enrico Bouchard and Pat Levesque will make their Targa debut this fall.
Meanwhile, the American team of Chris and Jeff Mason, The Rally Brothers, will be racing a 1965 Volvo Amazon 122S. They are no strangers to famous rallies around the globe. They’ve raced in Mexico’s La Carrera Panamericana and the Mille Miglia in Italy plus have made films of their adventures.
The Rally Brothers at La Carrera Panamericana.
James and Josh Murphy will bring a beast of a car to the rally – a 1966 Ford Mustang restomod. Also, Charles Brooks from Ontario will pilot a 1993 Nissan 240SX in his first attempt at Targa glory.
There are more teams to come too. We’ll provide details on all the teams in the months ahead. It’s going to be the best Targa in years.
What is Targa 2?
Targa 2 is the highest speed competition in the Targa Newfoundland rally. Only fully-caged cars are allowed to compete. The division is broken down into these groups:
Two-wheel drive (2WD) vehicles built before or after the year 2000 (Classic or Modern)
All-wheel drive (AWD) vehicles built before or after the year 2000 (Classic or Modern)
How does Targa 2 compare to the other divisions?
This chart shows the average and top speeds for each division along with the safety requirements.
Group
Safety
Average Speed (kph)
Top Speed (kph)
Targa Tour
All
Roll bar required (open, removable roof, removable hard top cars)
120
130
Targa 1
2WD (Classic and Modern)
Roll bar required (all)
130
155
AWD (Classic and Modern)
Roll bar required (all)
130
155
Targa 2
2WD (Classic and Modern)
Roll cage (all)
140
180
AWD (Classic and Modern)
Roll cage (all)
140
180
Who is going to win Targa 2 In 2025? It could be you. Apply now for the ultimate tarmac rally experience!
Volunteers are essential to Targa Newfoundland. (Photo: Ralph Saulnier)
Targa Newfoundland is accepting applications for Special Stage Set-Up Volunteers who can work in a fast-paced environment, preparing and supervising stages during the competition from Sept. 11-18, 2025.
Applicants must be mature and professional, with a sense of adventure and can thrive on excitement, camaraderie, and teamwork. This is an ideal opportunity for retirees eager to contribute their time and expertise while supporting a dynamic motorsports event.
Volunteers will spend six days on the road, travelling to scenic towns and outports of Newfoundland. Accommodations are provided, along with gas and food allowances.
Interested in becoming a Special Volunteer for Targa 2025? Fill out the form linked below.
In the February edition of the Targa newsletter: Closing in on 1000th stage; Tough competition for Targa 1 title; Terry’s travels; Choosing the right tires; Volunteer at Targa, and more!
Behind the Helmet is a video series produced by Women In Motorsport Canada. Episode 1 shows Targa 2 winning co-driver Leanne Junnila in action.
Over its 23 year history, Targa Newfoundland has been televised – including Speed Channel and TSN – and captured on video many times. Short of experiencing the rally firsthand, video is the next best thing to understanding the excitement and lasting appeal of this event.
There is no shortage of great ones from television documentaries to YouTube clips. Here is a small selection to give you a taste of Targa from the drivers’ and co-drivers’ perspectives. We’ve posted more videos here as well as on our Targa Newfoundland YouTube channel.
Behind the Helmet – This video series was directed by talented Targa 2 winning co-driver Leanne Junnila, who is also the director of Women in Motorsports Canada. Episode 1 shows her and skilled driver Dave Wallingford in dramatic action during Targa 2023 including thrilling in-car video from their record-breaking run in Brigus.
Return to Targa 2023 – Long-time sponsor Hume Media produced this documentary showing the event from the competitors’ point of view. They invited professional driver and motorsport personality Randy Pobst to share in the adventure in a MINI GP.
Street Legal Speed Rally – Randy Pobst’s first attempt at rally ever – and on closed public streets! Randy and navigator Craig MacMullen drive the Hume Media 2013 MINI GP near St. Mary’s Bay on Day 1 of the 2000 km Targa Newfoundland.
Racing The Rock: Six Days at Targa Newfoundland – Targa Newfoundland: six days and fourteen hundred miles of fierce competition on the island’s public roads. Drivers come from all over the world to race at this legendary event. This is racing at its purest; car versus clock, man versus road. To the winners go the bragging rights and not much else. In 2011, Flyin’ Miata entered two cars in the Targa Newfoundland. This is their story.
Flyin’ Miata raced the Rock in 2011 and their adventure was captured on video.
Finally, here is a flashback to 2008 when Chrysler executive and chief designer Ralph Gilles took on Targa.
Knight Motorsports on the tight Cape St. Mary’s stage. (Photo: Ralph Saulnier)
Local team comes back for more after first Targa
Devon Knight and Logan King-Gaudon were just buzzing after the Gander town stage in 2024. Right then they knew they had to come back for more.
“It was unreal,” says Devon. “I can’t name one time I’ve ever felt like that in my life. It was the most excited I ever remember being. You’re talking about memories like that, you’re talking about building friendships with all these people from all over the world, all walks of life.”
For Devon, who hails from Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador, the Targa bug bit him early. From a young age he watched Targa on the Speed Channel and dreamed of competing. After moving to the Toronto area, he took driver training, spent many weekends doing track days in southern Ontario and got into autocross, something he helped launch in western Newfoundland when he returned there. Devon says track days and autocross don’t compare to experiencing the Targa rally on city streets and closed country roads.
Entertaining the spectators with American V8 muscle in Gander. (Photo: Ralph Saulnier)
“Being on a road course or being in an autocross you don’t really comprehend what it feels like to be on the street because everything’s right there next to you on these narrow lanes. You’re hitting 100 kilometres an hour and it feels like you’re hitting 200 kilometres on the track. It’s the way everything’s flying by.”
Co-driver Logan King-Gaudon is a mechanic from Black Duck Siding near Stephenville and works with Devon at Long Range Outdoors in Corner Brook. Both are members of the Western Speed Park group. Logan has been competing in autocross since it started on the west coast and also has a passion for snowmobiles and dirt bikes. He says Targa is a unique experience in all respects.
“You welcomed us with open arms like you knew us our whole life,” he says. “It was just awesome feeling that way. It made us feel more comfortable and when you got racing I can’t even explain how it felt. It was like seeing everything fly past you in just a blur. It was just unbelievable.”
Team Knight Motorsports really flies. (Photo: Ralph Saulnier)
The sense of community from socializing with other competitors, such as legendary racer Randy Pobst, was another highlight for both of them.
“After every stage you’re having a chat with everyone,” says Devon. “Everyone’s completely down to earth. You’ve got professional race car drivers like Randy Pobst and local community people like us and you can get out and all of a sudden you’re talking to a professional race car driver and it’s like he’s been your best buddy all your life. That and the driving combined, you can’t ask for anything better.”
