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Fierce competition for Targa 1 title

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.

  • Classic Division – pre-2000 two-wheel drive (2WD) vehicles.
  • Classic Division – pre-2000 all-wheel drive (AWD) vehicles.
  • 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)130155
 AWD (Classic and Modern) Roll bar required (all)130155
Targa 2 2WD (Classic and Modern) Roll cage (all)  140180 
 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!

Register now for Targa 2025!

Classic battle shaping up in Targa 2

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)130155
 AWD (Classic and Modern) Roll bar required (all)130155
Targa 2 2WD (Classic and Modern) Roll cage (all)  140180 
 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!

Register now for Targa 2025!

Get close to the rally action: Volunteer for Targa

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.

Apply to Volunteer

Photos: Ralph Saulnier

Targa action captured on video

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.

Targa Newfoundland 2008 | This #throwbackthursday we are heading back to Targa Newfoundland in 2008! #targanl2008 #targanewfoundland2008 | By Targa Newfoundland | Facebook

Team: Knight Motorsports

Driver: Devon Knight
Co-driver: Logan King-Gaudon
Vehicle: 2015 Ford Mustang GT
Division: Targa 1
Country: Canada

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.”

Devon and Logan are interviewed by CBC TV reporter Jeremy Eaton prior to the 2024 rally. This Mustang can move. Meet Devon Knight and his Targa ride | CBC.ca

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.”

Only seven months until Targa 2025

Even the cars are jumping with excitement about Targa 2025. Team Knight Motorsports were flying at Cape St. Mary’s in the fall. (Photo by Ralph Saulnier)

Targa Newfoundland, the ultimate tarmac rally in North America, is just months away.

We’re full speed ahead as we gear up for an incredible Targa 2025 across the beautiful island of Newfoundland this fall. The rally this September 11-18 will mark 23 years since the first Targa event in 2002 (read more here).

With more than 20 teams registered already (as of Feb. 5) and more coming, the stage is set for some epic battles in Targa 1 and Targa 2 and the thrilling adventure of the non-competitive Targa Tour. We have competitors coming from British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Florida, Texas, New York, Colorado, and of course Newfoundland and Labrador.  

Several teams are returning to The Rock for another run at this legendary tarmac rally including Hume Media, Knight Motorsports (shown above), WSP Motorsports (photo below), Spud Performance, M2 Strategies, Aylmer Express, Bavarian Brothers and more. A number of new teams are signed up as well.

“We’re thrilled with the calibre of the teams and cars entered already and we’re still nine months from the rally,” said Targa Newfoundland President Joe Dowden.

This year we will run stages on some amazing roads in the communities that hosted the 2024 rally though the exact routes won’t be finalized until later in the year to keep competitors guessing.

Teams will cover about 2000 km from east to central Newfoundland with its spectacular scenery, unique culture, friendly people, and rich history. That includes about 500 km on closed sections of public roads and streets where they get to ignore the posted limits.

We’ve got space for you. Don’t miss out on the action this year.

Register now for Targa 2025!

Cameron Combdon and Andrew Keeping of WSP Motorsports carve through the streets of Gander.

Team: Spud Performance

Driver: Keir Pollard
Co-driver: TBD
Vehicle: 2006 MINI Cooper S JCW
Division: Targa 2
Country: Canada

Spud Performance on the last stage in Brigus. (Photo: Matt Myler)

Spud Performance ready to ‘tear it up’ in Targa 2

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.

When Spud Performance returns this fall to defend that title, it will face some stiff competition from several teams including some rally veterans. Keir will also have a new co-driver as Lance is not available this time.

Lance Campbell (left) and Keir Pollard receive their Targa plate from rally officials Nancy Dowden and Leah Dalton. (Photo: Ralph Saulnier)

Keir says last year the goal was simply to learn about the rally and survive but this fall he’ll be ready for battle.

“We were really just going for learning and making it through clean, not breaking the car, not breaking ourselves or breaking anybody,” says Keir. “We wanted to learn a lot and come back to try to do competitive stuff. Mission accomplished on all fronts. We learned a ton every single day and continue to learn, but I think we were just starting to figure out what the job is about on the final days and can’t wait for (this) year. We’re gonna tear it up.”

Keir and Lance are both from Prince Edward Island, famous for its potatoes, hence the cheeky team name. Keir is an experienced competitor in autocross and iRacing, while Lance is an accomplished professional mechanic. They’d been daydreaming about Targa for years and finally made it happen last year.

The 2006 MINI Cooper S John Cooper Works is a veteran of several Targas. It used to belong to Targa co-founder Doug Mepham, who had it built to his specifications. The rally-prepped MINI is tough and seemingly bulletproof.

MINI at speed through Bay Bulls. (Photo: Larry Strung)

Keir says they had the time of their lives at Targa and he can’t wait to come back in 2025.

“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.”

Keir and Lance (far right) celebrate on the podium in September 2024. (Photo: Ralph Saulnier)

Targa closes in on 1000th stage

Rob Thompson and Justin Ronayne of Newfoundland MotorHead Racing in a modified Subaru STI on the Eastport Peninsula in fall 2024. This area will host the 1000th Targa stage this year. (Photo: Ralph Saulnier)

Targa Newfoundland, one of the longest running tarmac rallies on the planet, will hit another major milestone this September. Teams competing this fall will cover the 1000th stage since Targa began 23 years ago in 2002. Robert Giannou, Targa co-founder and owner, says that will happen on the Eastport Peninsula portion of the rally.

“This is a fantastic milestone in a province not known for motorsports,” says Giannou. “It represents a lot of time, a lot of effort and a lot of joy in Newfoundland communities. It’s a remarkable achievement. I’m not sure any other rally in North America has achieved 1000 stages and we have one of the best – if not the best – safety record over 23 years.”

Targa co-founder and longtime competitor Doug Mepham says it’s a noteworthy achievement for the legendary rally.

The first Targa Newfoundland. Doug Mepham and Jim Kenzie raced the Volvo.

“When we started the first event in 2002, we were just focused on one stage — the first one! We figured if we got the first stage completed, we’d move on to the second one. It was literally one foot in front of the other,” says Mepham. “Remarkably, as I recall, we got all of the scheduled stages completed that first year. That was a minor miracle in itself. No one could have possibly dreamed of a thousand stages or running them for more than 20 years.”

Jim Kenzie, Targa co-founder, past winner, and well known automotive journalist, adds: “I doubt Doug or I even considered how long it would last. Even the Targas in Tasmania (the original) and New Zealand have had some ‘issues’ recently. Targa Newfoundland’s record is one everyone involved can be proud of.”

Here are the numbers and they are impressive:

  • 23 years of Targa Newfoundland (except during COVID)
  • 1000th competitive stage in 2025
  • About 2000 km per year (transits and stages)
  • 1.5 million km (transits and stages)
  • 315,000 km of competitive stages
  • About 1000 competitors
  • About 2000 volunteers
  • 130 communities

Targa Newfoundland is one of only three internationally recognized Targa events in the world. Over its storied history, Targa has attracted many notable competitors such as accomplished racers Randy Pobst, Steve Millen, and Andrew Comrie-Picard; Murray Smith, racing promoter, driver and car collector; celebrities such as actors Robb Wells and John Paul Tremblay, better known as the “Trailer Park Boys“; automotive executive Ralph Gilles, Chief Design Officer at Stellantis (Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, etc.), who led the design team that created the 2013 SRT Dodge Viper; and hundreds of racing and car enthusiasts from all over the globe.

“The big attraction to Targa is that every corner and every stage is an adventure,” says Giannou. “As Jim Kenzie has said, It’s the most fun you can have in a car with your clothes on.”

The 2025 rally is scheduled from September 11-18 with that magical milestone taking place on Tuesday, September 16 somewhere along the Eastport Peninsula. Information on all of the stages is posted on the Targa website.

Join us this year and celebrate the 1000th stage of Targa Newfoundland.

Kurt and Lu Penner in their 1965 Beaumont near Salvage. (Photo: Larry Strung)

Team: WSP Motorsports

Driver: Cameron Combdon
Co-driver: Andrew Keeping
Vehicle: 1998 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution V
Division: Targa 1
Country: Canada

WSP Motorsports in action in Bay Bulls. (Photo: Ralph Saulnier)

Newfoundland racers are revved up for more rally action

It took all of one stage for Cameron Combdon and Andrew Keeping to become hooked on Targa. The pair from the west coast of Newfoundland took part in their first Targa Newfoundland in 2024 in the shorter Bambina event. Before they finished, they’d already decided to return for the full Duemila event in 2025.

“I had no idea what to expect coming into Targa,” says Cameron. “I’d heard the name Targa but couldn’t comprehend what it was. I’d never actually seen a stage. I’d never done anything with it at all. Coming out to this was super exciting for us. We spent all summer putting the car together. It still exceeded my expectations. I can’t even describe the feeling of the courses. You spend so much time psyching yourself up in your head what to expect and it just it was way better than ever anticipated. It just made us have to do the full event.”

WSP Motorsports ripping along the Cape Shore. (Photo: Sam Heron)

Cameron and Andrew are driving forces in the autocross community on the west coast of the island. Both are members of Western Speed Park so they named their team after their club. Neither of them had experienced anything like Targa before.

Co-driver Andrew says it began to click after the first stage. “It all started to come together, the people, the places, the culture, all of it. It was a completely new experience, and something I never thought I’d do. I was initially nervous about co-driving. I did grow up watching rally racing and the responsibility that the co-driver has is immense – understanding the timing, transits, the callouts, etc. It seemed like a monster of a task just thinking about it. But actually doing callouts in stage, and at speed for the first time, it made everything just click. After each new stage I understood more and by the end I was like ‘Yeah, I got this now.’”

Cameron Combdon (far left) and Andrew Keeping compare notes with fellow Newfoundland racers Logan King-Gaudon and Devon Knight. (Photo: Ralph Saulnier)

Cameron has about five years of experience competing in autocross in the Corner Brook area and Gander. He won the “Fly Your Car in Gander” autocross event last summer in his Toyota GR Corolla. Andrew is also a die-hard motorsports enthusiast and while he hasn’t been involved in autocross quite as long as his partner, he has impressed people with his skills.

Cameron and Andrew carve through the streets of Gander. (Photo: Ralph Saulnier)

Both say their first Targa experience was amazing not just for the time on the road but the camaraderie with like-minded people. That includes some more experienced racers who gave them welcome advice.

“It was just amazing,” says Cameron. “The driving is one thing, but the experience of the meals and talking with people is also great. You’re at a table with somebody different every time and everybody’s having these big conversations all about cars. That’s all I’m talking about all day long anyway. It’s all about cars.”

Cameron and Andrew are excited about experiencing the full rally event this fall. “I’m really looking forward to just being able to do the full event with everyone else, from start to finish,” says Andrew. “That’s the most exciting thing for me.”

They’re also grateful for all the support they’ve received from family, friends, and businesses in western Newfoundland.

Cameron and Andrew with their supportive families following the Gander stage.

Watch for their wild Mitsubishi Evo stickered up with logos from a number of supportive west coast businesses and you can be sure there will be plenty of fans rooting for this homegrown team.  

Learn more about WSP Motorsports and their Evo:

This west coast racer says everyone loves the ‘Fast and Furious sounds’ of his car | CBC.ca