Mauricio and Jennifer Sampayo at La Carrera Panamericana in Mexico. (Photo: Black Flag Sarcoma)
Texas team rallies for medical research
Mauricio and Jennifer Sampayo are a husband-and-wife team from South Texas competing under the Black Flag Sarcoma banner — a motorsports initiative founded by the Spence family to raise awareness and funding for synovial sarcoma research.
The cause is personal. Their nephew, Callan Spence, continues to fight this rare and aggressive cancer with the same relentless drive he brings to the track. And that drive is considerable.
Callan is an accomplished racing driver who set and reset the Unlimited Class track record at COTA’s Super Lap Battle in a 1,000-horsepower Lotus Exige, and most recently delivered a podium sweep at MSR Houston’s NASA Texas event — breaking the Time Trial record both days with a 1:30 lap time while his father Chas swept the GT Class. The team also claimed a 3rd place National Championship A-Class finish in a 15-hour endurance race, overcoming significant electrical issues on day one.
Callan Spence speaks about fighting cancer and racing.
The Spence Family Synovial Sarcoma Fund has raised millions of dollars supporting research and treatments including TumorGlow, a groundbreaking imaging technology in development at Penn Medicine.
When Mauricio and Jennifer take the stages in Newfoundland, every mile is run in Callan’s name — and in the name of every patient still in the fight.
Mauricio and Jennifer Sampayo are a husband-and-wife team from South Texas competing under the Black Flag Sarcoma banner. (Photo: Black Flag Sarcoma)
Motorsport Experience
Mauricio brings four years of track experience to the cockpit, including HPDE events at Circuit of the Americas and a run in the 2025 Carrera Panamericana Sport Tour — one of the world’s most demanding road events.
Jennifer came to motorsport through that shared journey and never looked back. She has embraced every opportunity to be in the right seat as co-driver, and has taken the wheel herself whenever the chance has presented itself.
Tackling Targa for Callan
Targa Newfoundland marks their first major rally on Canadian soil — and after the roads of Mexico, they arrive more than ready.
For this team, crossing the finish line in Newfoundland is the mission. Every stage completed is another lap logged for synovial sarcoma awareness, and another opportunity to carry Callan’s story to a new audience.
“Targa Newfoundland is one of the last great road rallies in North America — raw, demanding, and historic,” said the Sampayos. “It asks everything of a driver and co-driver: precision, trust, endurance, and composure under pressure. Those are the same qualities it takes to fight cancer.”
The Sampayos chose Targa because the mission deserves a stage worthy of it.
A Porsche with Carrera Panamericana pedigree
The 2021 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet the Sampayos will pilot in Newfoundland has already proven itself on some of the world’s most demanding roads, having run the Carrera Panamericana through the mountains and highways of Mexico. It now wears the Black Flag Sarcoma livery — a Porsche built for performance repurposed as a rolling tribute to a young man who refuses to let cancer define him.
Callan Spence was first diagnosed at 16, declared cancer-free, faced a recurrence, and has kept racing forward every step of the way. So has this team.
Key Sponsors:
Discount Title Loan
North Porsche Austin (pending confirmation)
Car Club / Racing Club: North Porsche Austin (pending confirmation)
Social: @black_flag_sarcoma on Instagram
Black Flag Sarcoma in action during La Carrera Panamericana. (Photo: Black Flag Sarcoma)
Father and son team are aiming for the Targa 1 prize
The Huestons brought a new weapon last year in the form of a GR Corolla. (Photo: Ralph Saulnier)
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 1 in 2024. Their first taste of Targa only left them wanting more so they came back last fall for another run at the world famous rally.
“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.”
Aylmer Express at speed in the Conception Harbour stage. (Photo: Larry Strung)
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 GR Corolla was well suited to the roads of The Rock. (Photo: Larry Strung)
John and Brett have years of experience racing motorcycles, but until entering Targa 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. For their first Targa, they brought a Subaru BRZ but switched to a Toyota GR Corolla in order to get a roll bar installed for Targa 1 and still have room.
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 Toyota will proudly bear the company logo as they blast through the Newfoundland landscape this September.
John summed up how he felt about Targa. “I spent six months leading up to (our first) Targa dreading it but once it began I spent six days dreading it would end. This is an incredible event.”
Brett and John were all smiles at the finish line in 2024. (Photo: Ralph Saulnier)John entertains future rally competitors in Brigus. (Photo: Ralph Saulnier)
Targa Tour marks return to Newfoundland for adventurous husband and wife team
This fall will mark the second Targa Newfoundland for the husband and wife team of Doug and Phyllis Bain of Ontario.
Team Bain from Toronto brings both nostalgia and desire for new adventures to Targa Newfoundland. Doug and Phyllis first explored Newfoundland in 1977, traveling the island in Doug’s 1973 Datsun 510 — a classic rally car of its era. That unforgettable road trip planted the seed for a return, and nearly five decades later, they came back, this time as participants in the Targa Tour Division behind the wheel of a 2020 BMW M2 Competition.
In their first Targa Newfoundland, they were eager to embrace the rally experience — the challenging roads, the unmatched scenery, and the camaraderie, while being cheered on by a strong circle of supportive family and friends. This year, they are back again after having an amazing experience on the twisty and scenic roads of the island.
Doug, a recently retired railway engineer, has spent over 50 years involved in marathon running, cross-country skiing and performance cycling. He brings a competitive spirit, sharp focus, and endurance to this new adventure.
Phyllis, co-driver and teammate in every sense, supports Doug’s passion for sports and his spirited outlook on life. Staying fit is also a priority for her. While she has always enjoyed being active, her involvement in sports was more limited during the years they were raising their four children.
Doug and Phyllis Bain are seeking adventure on their return trip to Newfoundland in this BMW M2. (Photo: Doug Bain)
The Faster Pastor, Edison Wiltshire, and co-driver Olivia Wiltshire-Ryan corner hard in the 2024 Targa. (Photo: Ralph Saulnier)
Faster Pastor has run every Targa since 2002
A fixture at Targa since the rally began in 2002, Rev. Edison Wiltshire returns this year with his grand-daughter and co-driver Olivia Wiltshire-Ryan maintaining a perfect record of participation. Hailing from Random Island near Clarenville, Newfoundland and Labrador, Edison has captured the hearts of fans with his love for speed and his strong spiritual values.
“I’ve done every Targa since 2002 when Robert Giannou (Targa owner) asked me to be rally chaplain,” says Edison.
Edison, affectionately known as the “Faster Pastor,” has been a familiar face in the Targa Newfoundland racing scene for years, providing motorsports chaplaincy services to competitors and volunteers.
Edison and his grand-daughter Olivia have teamed up in Targa since 2023. (Photo: Ralph Saulnier)
“I’m called the Faster Pastor by Protestants, while our Catholic friends call me the Flying Father and the Anglican folks call me the Quicker Vicar,” says Edison with a smile. “I’ve provided countless numbers of encouraging chats with folks, especially when they ran out of talent and need a shoulder to cry on.”
Rev. Wiltshire once performed a wedding during Targa. Midway through the intense competition, Edison took a break to unite a couple in matrimony, with all the competitors joining in the celebration.
Edison and his supportive wife, Marg-o, participated in every single Targa Newfoundland together until 2023 when Olivia took over the co-driver seat.
“I started doing it to make Papa happy,” says Olivia, who is the youngest competitor at 18. “I enjoy meeting the people and seeing all the cars.”
“We’ve bonded in a special way through this,” says Edison. “Though we’ve always been close this has brought us even closer now.”
They’ve tackled the challenging roads of Newfoundland in a diverse fleet of vehicles, including an iconic Citroen Traction Avant, Citroen DS Sedan, Porsche 911, Subaru Outback and a Saab 9-3 Turbo. What ride will they bring this year?
Edison and Marg-o with past Targa rides – Citroens and Porsche.
The team were profiled on CBC: Here and Now in Newfoundland in 2024.
Driver: Keir Pollard Co-driver: Jeremy Boehner Vehicle: 2006 MINI Cooper S JCW Division: Targa 2 Country: Canada
Spud Performance on the last stage in Brigus. (Photo: Matt Myler)
Two-time Targa 2 champs back for more
The reigning champs in Targa 2 are back for more glory this fall. Spud Performance from Prince Edward Island has taken the Targa 2 trophy for the past two years and they’re back in hopes to make it three in a row.
Keir Pollard and Lance Campbell had never done a rally before they entered Targa Newfoundland in 2024 but they went home with a trophy. Despite their lack of experience, they were impressive, claiming the Targa 2 title with a quick, consistent, and clean performance.
Spud Performance 2025 edition – Jeremy Boehner (left) and driver Keir Pollard.
Keir returned last fall with a new co-driver, long-time friend and motorsports enthusiast Jeremy Boehner and successfully defended that title despite some stiff competition from several teams including some rally veterans.
Lance Campbell (left) and Keir Pollard receive their Targa plate from rally officials Nancy Dowden and Leah Dalton. (Photo: Ralph Saulnier)
Keir and Jeremy are both from Prince Edward Island, famous for its potatoes, hence the cheeky team name. Keir is an experienced competitor in autocross and iRacing, and has been racking up track days at Atlantic Motorsport Park in Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia. Jeremy has decades of experience in tactical driving. Keir had been daydreaming about Targa for years and finally made it happen last year.
Spud Racing on the “flight path” through Random Island last September. (Photo: Ralph Saulnier)
The 2006 MINI Cooper S John Cooper Works is a veteran of many Targas. It used to belong to Targa co-founder Doug Mepham, who had it built to his specifications and raced it from 2008-2016. The rally-prepped MINI is tough and seemingly bulletproof.
Keir says he had the time of his life at Targa and can’t wait to come back.
“It exceeded my expectations,” says Keir. “Everything was terrific. The driving was great. Absolutely terrific scenery when you look up from the road. The communities have been wonderful to drive through and to meet people there. Wonderful people welcomed us in every place we stopped – waving and happy on the sides of the road. It was absolutely terrific.”
MINI at speed through Bay Bulls. (Photo: Larry Strung)Keir and Lance (far right) celebrate on the podium in September 2024. (Photo: Ralph Saulnier)Crossing the narrow bridge in Brigus. (Photo: Larry Strung)
Driver: Sam Marshall Co-driver: Rick Marshall Vehicle: 2016 Subaru STI Division: Targa 1 Country: United States
The Marshall brothers were flying on the road to Cape St. Mary’s. (Photo: Ralph Saulnier)
Florida brothers make annual Targa pilgrimage
Targa Newfoundland has become an annual pilgrimage for Florida brothers Sam and Rick Marshall. This year will make their fourth Targa rally in a row. What brings them back year after year?
Rick and Sam Marshall on the wharf in Salvage. (Photo: Ralph Saulnier)
“The first year we were attracted to racing through beautiful towns and the scenic transits between them. Returning, we are most looking forward to spending time with the Targa family,” says Sam.
Rick echoes his brother’s sentiment. “Honestly, the people bring us back. I think if it weren’t for the people, yeah, you’d be running around in cars and racing would be fun. But the people just put it over the top. What other event is there where you go and meet all these different racers that you become friends with and you become friends with the organizers?”
The Marshalls have family ties to Newfoundland. Their grandfather was born in St. John’s and emigrated to Boston in the early 1900’s. The family still have connections in the Trinity Bay area. But it wasn’t until a few years ago that the brothers and other family members returned to Newfoundland to visit the ancestral homeland. That’s how they heard about Targa.
“It’s a unique event,” says Sam. “The weather’s unique. The people are unique each time you get everybody together. It was good to see folks who were here last year. That’s probably one of the main things that we were looking forward to, seeing the folks that put the event on and some of the ones we had driven with last year. That’s really pretty special for us.”
Back home in sunny Florida, they enjoy competing in autocross as members of Gulfcoast Autocrossers and running fast laps at legendary Sebring. They competed in Targa Newfoundland in the Targa 1 division in 2023 and 2024.
Their modified 2016 Subaru STI has proven to be a fast ride on the roads of The Rock. To make it speedy they added an IAG long block, FP Blue Turbo and front mount intercooler and to make it stop quickly it has EBC Red Stuff brake pads.
“We had as much of a blast as we had last year and we’ll be back again,” says Rick. “Where else can you put together racing through town in a car with your brother in a land that my ancestors were roaming around? You can’t beat that. It’s the best. “
The Marshalls in their mobile office. (Photo: Sam Heron)
John Hume and his granddaughter Katelyn will share driving duties in this 2021 MINI GP. (Photo: Ralph Saulnier)
Three-time winners of the Grand Touring division of Targa Newfoundland, Team Hume Media from Ontario return to the Rock this fall for another run and they are feeling competitive again this year.
Team owner John Hume, a long-time supporter and sponsor of the rally, first competed in Targa 17 years ago. He’s run it 12 times since and placed on the podium seven times in two divisions. He and co-drivers Craig MacMullen and Christina Kroner won the Grand Touring Division three times, in 2012, 2014 and 2017. In 2023, he shared his 2013 MINI GP with pro racer Randy Pobst and co-driver MacMullen, where they won again in Targa 1.
John Hume’ and granddaughter Katelyn ran Tour together last year. Team Hume has won GT three times and Targa 1 once over 16 years. (Photo: Ralph Saulnier)
“I’ve been running Targa since 2009 in Grand Touring and Targa 1,” said Hume. “This island is so beautiful, I ended up building a house in Brigus on the ocean.”
Last fall, Hume and his granddaughter, Katelyn, ran in Targa Tour, sharing driving and co-driving duties in the 2021 MINI GP, which is #2072 of 3,000 built in 2020. This year they’re back in competitive mode.
John and co-driver Craig MacMullen celebrating in 2014. (Photo: Ralph Saulnier)Christina Kroner and John Hume on the way to victory in GT in 2017. (Photo: Ralph Saulnier)
John is the president of Hume Media Inc., which he founded in 1988. Starting out as a small two-person copy shop, it has grown to become a full-service print and digital media company. Hume Media has documented the Targa experience many times with the most recent video, Return to Targa Newfoundland 2023.
Team Hume Media navigating the narrow streets of Brigus where John now has a home. (Photo: Ralph Saulnier)
Larry Strung has shot Targa Newfoundland for the past two years capturing the people, cars and places with an artistic eye.
Engineer, motorcycle racer, photographer, and lover of all things with engines that move – cars, bikes, planes, and ships – are all ways to describe Larry Strung. For the last two years, Larry has captured the essence of Targa Newfoundland, the rally, the people, and the place, as one of the rally’s official photographers.
His stunning photos have appeared in our advertising, on this website, and in the Targa newsletter. He may have worked as an engineer but he has the eye of an artist and heart of a racer. We posed some questions to learn more about him.
Where were you born and where do you live now?
I was born and raised in Toronto and lived in the “GTA” most of my life. I retired from working full time (as an engineer in the auto industry) and moved west to Wallaceburg, Ontario to get away from the GTA congestion, and enjoy cheaper real estate prices!
What’s your background?
My parents were both German immigrants to Canada. They were lucky to come to Canada in the 1930s. My older brother – 10 years older than me was born in Toronto in 1946. Needless to say, speaking German in 1946 Toronto was not a popular thing, so we never learned to speak German at a young age, unlike most German immigrants from the 1950s onwards, whose kids are typically fluent in both German and English. My loss! Languages and music I consider both to be door openers to communication across barriers. Sadly, I am inept at either.
Vintage cars, especially Mercedes, are a favourite subject for Larry. (Photo: Larry Strung)
Do you work professionally as a photographer full-time or do have other work experiences?
There was a period in the late 2000s when I was unemployed as an engineer. I had been working for Magna for 20 years, with my last stint being in Liverpool, England for 4 years. With the recession underway, Magna was cutting jobs and closing plants. When I returned from England they had no job for me. I did get a full year severance package, with the rider that I couldn’t be employed in the auto industry.
For the next four years I attempted to make a living as a professional photographer. We starved. I give my every respect to Ralph Saulnier and others who can make a living at photography! You are better men than me! A chance meeting of a former Magna colleague gave me an opportunity to return to engineering in the auto industry, where I worked for a further 10 years.
Larry’s passions for motorcycle racing and photography are on display here. (Photo: Larry Strung)
What is your background in photography and motorsports?
My dad was a keen amateur photographer. We had a full dark room in the basement of our family home and my older brother was a sports car enthusiast. My older brother was kind enough to take me to Mosport for car races beginning in 1967. I would have been 9 and he 19 then. I had a Brownie Starmite box camera then, and still have some prints from the 1969 F1 race at Mosport with this camera. Like many kids, I suppose, the camera was a tool to take pictures of things and events that you dream about having and doing. So cars and cameras from an early age.
Funny story, when I was 14, I had freedom to wander the city of Toronto via public busses, subway trains, and street cars. With my trusty Brownie, I would explore the city, often into dodgy second hand bookstores looking for back issues of Road & Track, or Sports Car Graphic magazines.
One day I happened upon a 1960 Porsche 356 Roadster – I was mad about Porsches – sitting out front of a downtown Toronto walk-up. I went up and knocked on the door to enquire if I might take some pictures of the car. Amazingly, the owner, who must have been surprised to see this very forward kid, invited me in for tea to talk about the car. He ended up taking me for a drive in it all the way up the Don Valley Parkway and across the 401. We must have been out for nearly an hour.
Larry came tantalizingly close to owning a Porsche 356 as a teenager but his father and fate had different ideas.
When we got back, he said, “In a couple of years, I’ll want to sell the Porsche. You’ll be 16 then, and I’ll give you first refusal to buy the car for $800.” He gave me a note to that effect, and we exchanged phone numbers. I took the note home, and immediately got a part-time job to save for the car. It was as a shrimp cook at a nearby Gourmet shop. I printed a picture in our darkroom I had taken of the 356 and posted it over the sink in the shop as incentive, and began to save. I wish I could find that print!
Amazingly, the man was true to his word, and he called just after my 16th birthday. The offer was still good, but I had only managed to save $600 from my job that paid $1.75/hr. I asked my dad for a loan of the balance, and like a good German father, he replied, “Don’t be silly, no son of mine is having a Porsche when he is just 16 years old!” So that was that. I took the $600 dollars and bought a Nikkormat camera (so I could make use of the lenses my dad had for his Nikon F) and a second hand motorcycle.
A newspaper clipping from 1986 when Larry was an active motorcycle racer.
I ended up road racing motorcycles for 15 years, much to the chagrin of my parents. Naturally, they didn’t approve of that, either, and I had to move out of the house before I could begin racing. During that time period, I still had my camera but didn’t spend much time using it aside from taking snap shots at events. All of my focus and money was spent trying to be a better motorcycle racer.
Moving to England for Magna, and the new digital Nikon digital cameras that just became available, encouraged me to spend more of my spare time doing photography again.
How long have you been shooting the rally?
I’ve been invited to shoot Targa for the last two years, alongside Ralph, as a staff photographer on the event. I hope I get invited back to do many more!
How did you get involved?
My invitation came from Tom Pokorny and Corey Finkelstein, the two guys working at promoting the event in the Toronto area. We had met at various car events around Ontario over the previous few years, and they had become familiar with my photography on various Facebook forums we shared.
What keeps you coming back?
Targa Newfoundland, since it’s inception, has been a bucket list event for me. While I am not in a financial position to participate in the event as a driver, much as I would love to, the photography opens the door to participating in my own way. It’s a fantastic event, and I love being a part of it.
What equipment do you prefer to use?
I had been a Nikon user from pretty early on. About 10 or 12 years ago, Fujifilm introduced their X-T series of cameras that reverted to traditional film camera controls: the lens have a ring to adjust the aperture, and the camera body has a top wheel to adjust the shutter speed just like the old film cameras I was familiar with. Using these traditional controls, much like having a manual transmission in a car, just feels natural and good. Similar to the era of cars that I love, it seems I am stuck in the past, even though the Fuji cameras perform in a contemporary manner.
How do you get your best shots?
My favourite way to shoot is at slow shutter speeds and panning the cars in order to blur the background (and sometimes even render portions of the car out of focus) in order to give the “reality” of the cars moving at speed. The “hit” rate shooting this way is often poor. Out of 10 shots taken, I might end up with only 1 that is a useable image. Makes for tedious editing afterwards, but I think the results are worth it.
Similarly, when shooting airplanes, you need a slow enough shutter speed so the propeller is a blur. Did you ever make airplane models as a kid, and hang them from your bedroom ceiling by fishing line? They never really looked like they were flying because the propeller was never turning.
Any advice to enthusiasts who want to get shots of cars in action?
Learn how to shoot your camera in “manual” mode so you control the shutter speed and the lens aperture. Then practice, practice, practice. If you want to get good at panning, go out and shoot the track day events at a local racetrack. Lots of cars passing by offer a great opportunity to practice and refine your technique. Then when you come to an event like Targa, you stand a chance of capturing a good shot when the cars pass you by just once on a stage.
Sonny Chauhan (right) and his friend Greg Fung competed in Targa 2025.
We were saddened to hear of the recent passing of Targa alumnus Sonny Chauhan.
Running Targa Newfoundland was a long-time bucket list wish for the Canadian military veteran. Sonny made a considerable impression on his fellow competitors and rally organizers when he competed in Targa 2 last fall with his team, Wounded Warriors Racing, raising funds in support of veterans and first responders.
He was more than a competitor. He was part of the fabric of Targa. His presence in the classroom, on the stages, and among friends will not be forgotten. Motorsport demands grit, resilience, and heart. He carried those qualities long before he ever put on a helmet.
Events like Targa Newfoundland bring people together through competition, but what lasts is the community. The conversations in service, the shared repairs, the early mornings, the quiet moments before a stage. He was part of all of it.
We extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and teammates. He will be missed by the entire Targa family.
