Sadly, we lost another member of the extended Targa Newfoundland family this week. Ken Simmons was a respected journalist and long-time fan of motorsports and car culture. He competed in three Targa Newfoundland rallies as a co-driver, earned a certificate from the Bridgestone Racing School at Ontario’s Mosport track, and wrote a weekly column in The Telegram newspaper in St. John’s (later the Saltwire Network) about cars and racing. On the artistic side, Ken taught himself to play guitar, paint and create stained glass pieces for family and friends.

This is how we was described in the newspaper below his column: Ken Simmons, The Telegram’s new media editor, breathes exhaust and exhales clean, fresh air.

“Ken was way ahead of his time,” says Targa founder Robert Giannou. “When he worked with the Telegram he pushed motorsports as far as he could even when he was sports editor. He was a serious friend of the event. He will be missed and our sport has lost a serious and dear friend.”

He passed away on November 17, 2024. He was 62. We offer our condolences to his family and friends. You can read his obituary here and below.

Kenneth Simmons

March 20, 1962 – November 17, 2024

Ken Simmons passed away peacefully on November 17, 2024, aged 62 years old. His final days were spent surrounded by a revolving door of family members, longtime friends, and treasured colleagues. Ken has joined his beloved mother Pearl, who passed last December. In a strange twist of fate, Ken and his mother are reunited almost 11 months to the day.

Left with a lifetime of precious memories to cherish forever – his loving wife of 30 years Karen, son Johnathon (Hayley), daughters Wendy and Sherry (Ronnie), granddaughter Lily, sister Jennifer, father Bruce (Pearl), and sisters-in-law Beverly (Roland) and Coreen (Alvin).

Ken wore a LOT of hats: father, brother, grandfather, uncle, cousin, journalist, reporter, photographer, editor, musician, singer, motorcycle enthusiast, avid book collector, stained glass artist, and race car driver (well, navigator, which he would argue is an important distinction), but you most often would see him rocking his Tilley hat… Even though he was more likely to be watching Jeopardy than watching birds.

A peep into Ken’s jam-packed home office will give you a lot of insight into who he was as a person. Amongst a billion books, comics, music gear, and car-related stuff, family photos are tucked in absolutely everywhere – a physical reminder that his deep love for his family was immeasurable, and that he always wanted to keep us near him (even if he was hiding from our shenanigans in his basement refuge).

A glimpse at Ken’s social media will show you a lot of pictures of “smiley dog” Lola, pictures from jams with friends, posts about car and motorcycle culture, love and support for local arts and artists of all disciplines, with a good few anti-capitalism or cheeky political memes sprinkled throughout.

Ken will be remembered by many as someone who could always bring laughter into a room, with his big booming laugh, wide smile, loving demeanor, and big bear hugs. He’ll also likely be remembered for his quick wit and mild sass – With over 40 years in media, it’s no surprise that he had a way with words… to make you laugh, to inspire you, or just to make you think. He’ll also probably be remembered for his ever-expanding collection of ridiculous t-shirts featuring awful puns – a true Dad in purest form.

Visitation will take place in Hickey’s Funeral Home, 570 Conception Bay Highway, Conception Bay South on Thursday, November 21 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. with a service in Hickey’s Memorial Chapel at 6:30 p.m. To send a message of condolence, please visit www.hickeysfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of donation, Ken’s children request that you take time to call your dad, or another loved one. Life is precious and fleeting – Celebrate those little moments of joy, love, and connection whenever and wherever you can.

Tom Clenche of Petley on Random Island, NL joins an exclusive group of volunteers who have been awarded the Spirit of Targa trophy in recognition of their work to support Targa Newfoundland. Only nine volunteers have received this award over the rally’s 22-year history.

For the past two years, Tom, together with his son, Thomas, ensured that the north side of the Random Island stages, which run through the communities of Lower Lance Cove, Britannia, Petley, and Aspen Cove, were properly taped off and that residents were made aware of Targa’s timetable.  

Tom ensured his sons and their friends were on deck early on “Targa Day” and started taping off the stage even before our set up team arrived on scene. After the stages ran, they removed all the tape and Tom took it upon himself to conduct a survey of the residents of these four communities to ensure all had a say on the event. The results of his survey were excellent with virtually all saying they enjoyed watching the day’s fun from behind the safety tape. 

Shell collector and naturalist

When Tom isn’t helping Targa, he’s an avid naturalist and shell collector. He also collects coins and stamps from around the world.

“I love to boat, fish, swim and snorkel and take photographs of all the flora and fauna of my home island,” says Tom.

He has an impressive collection of shells from Newfoundland and around the world that he studies and catalogues. “I have been a life-long shell collector and have a lot of different species. Salt water, fresh water and land shells are all collected, when I can find them.”

Volunteers wanted

Tom is already busy planning ahead for the rally next fall and recruiting other volunteers on Random Island.

If you’d like to be part of the action too, volunteer for Targa 2025.

Apply to volunteer.

We’re expecting a competitive field for Targa Newfoundland 2025 based on strong, early demand. No sooner had the checkered flag waved on the exciting 2024 edition of the legendary tarmac rally and competitors were clamouring for spots in Targa 2025.

Fifteen teams have registered already with more lining up. That includes five teams so far in Targa 2, the fastest division for cars with full roll cages, and seven in the Targa 1 competitive division. We also have teams signing up for the non-competitive Targa Tour adventure, which provides a memorable motorsport experience on the same amazing stages as the competitive divisions.

“We’re thrilled to see several returning teams, including a couple that are moving up from Targa Bambina in 2024 to the full eight-day Duemila competition,” says Joe Dowden, Targa president.

If you’ve always dreamed of racing the real roads of the Rock, 2025 is your year! What are you waiting for? Apply now for the ultimate tarmac rally experience!

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

Registration is now open.

Targa Newfoundland 2024 was kind of boring for Ryan Burrill and Elizabeth (Liz) Sullivan but in a good way. The two doctors enjoyed their time at their first Targa, making sure everyone was safe, watching the cars flash by, and driving from stage to stage of the rally. But they were quite happy their medical services were not needed.

Targa Newfoundland has a safety record second-to-none in the world of rally racing, but organizers never leave that to chance. Once again, there were no injuries in the 2024 event though the two doctors were on hand throughout the rally just in case something happened. Both are experienced at providing medical care at the highest levels of motorsports, so Targa competitors were in excellent hands.

A lifelong racing fan, Ryan is an ER doctor in Liverpool, Nova Scotia who now also provides medical services at Formula One, IndyCar and Canadian Superbike motorcycle races. “I wanted to incorporate my love of racing into my job.”

When he’s not practicing medicine, you’ll find the racing doctor behind the wheel of his own race-prepped Miata at a track or driving his Subaru WRX rally car on dirt roads at speeds that blur the trees.

What attracted him to Targa?

“I grew up watching Targa on videos so it was something I wanted to do, and it is as insane as I thought it would be. On the logistical side of things, I’m not sure how they continue to pull this off year after year,” said Ryan.

“I thought we should be here so I reached out to Rob (Giannou, Targa founder and chairman) to come and then we were able to get Liz on after chatting with her program director in IndyCar in Toronto.”

Liz is an emergency room doctor in Indianapolis, Indiana, home to one of the most famous races in the world, the Indy 500. In addition to working on the medical team of the IndyCar Series, travelling to races across North America, she works with several other series.

“I’m an ER doctor and then I decided I’m not done with school yet so I’m doing a motorsports medicine fellowship. With that, I work on the medical team with the IndyCar Series and I get to play with lots of other racing series, which is how I ended up here. I work with lots of others – WRC USA Rally, NHRA and NASCAR and soon IMSA and USAC as well – a whole bunch of different kinds of racing.”

Which one is most challenging?

“Rally by far is the craziest medical safety wise,” she said. “It’s just so much fun to be a part of it and see if we can make it better in some way, shape or form.”

Did they mind not having much to do during Targa Newfoundland?

“We like to be pleasantly bored watching cars go fast,” said Dr. Sullivan with a broad smile. 

“We’re just trying to make things as safe as possible,” added Dr. Burrill.

Both of the racing doctors plan to come back to Targa. We might even see Ryan as a competitor someday.

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

Registration is now open.

The new registrar of Targa Newfoundland is no stranger to the famous rally. It’s in his blood. Wayne Lorenzen has done it all when it comes to Targa. He has been a co-driver, crew member, marshal, volunteer, and spectator since Targa first raced through his hometown of Gander more than 20 years ago. 

“Targa went right by home,” says Wayne, who continues to live in the Newfoundland town. “I’ve always been a rally fan. I watched Targa for six years then volunteered for a couple more before I was asked to be a navigator.”  

Wayne did a certified course in Ottawa in order to race in Targa as the co-driver for Sideways Motorsports with Brad Melendy in a 1986 IROC Z race car for several years. “We never had an off but once blew a motor and had to install a new one in Marystown after shipping it from Gander.” The pair raised over $30,000 for Central Health over the years they raced together and established an auto slalom event in Gander called Fly Your Car In Gander, which continues to this day. 

After Sideways Motorsports he established a new team call MaxZen Racing with Gordon Maxwell. They raced for several years in various Targa events and raised funds for autism and epilepsy.    

Growing up in Gander, famous for its airport and role in taking in thousands of stranded travellers grounded there after the 9/11 attacks, it’s perhaps only natural that he worked in the aviation industry for 37 years. That included stints with Transport Canada, NAV Canada, and a local flight school.  

“Aviation is all about safety and logistics which also crossover to racing,” he says. “I helped NAV Canada develop a culture of safety. The same mentality applies to racing.”  

He also served as national vice president of Local 2245 Air Traffic Services for the Canadian Autoworkers (CAW) and was a town councillor.  

“That leadership position helped me with conflict management and thinking outside the box,” he says. “My strengths are optimism and keeping an open mind. The only bad idea is the one you don’t discuss. Even a ridiculous one could have some value.”  

Teaching has been a significant part of his professional and personal life. Wayne taught ground school to private pilots, operated a martial arts school for over three decades, and assisted in a training program for drivers and navigators in Targa Newfoundland.  

He’s a true motorhead with diverse interests that include all motorsports, sports cars, motorcycles, photography, remote control planes, and playing guitar. He’s the proud owner of a 1983 BMW 320i (E21), a couple of antique Kawasaki motorcycles, and a BMW sport touring bike.  

What has kept him involved with Targa Newfoundland all these years?  

“I love Targa. It’s such a unique, dynamic motorsport event. The location on the island of Newfoundland makes it different. It’s not just about the stages and closed roads, it’s the adventure, the scenery, and the people – the whole package. You’re not going to find this situation anywhere else in the world.” 

As registrar, Wayne oversees the registration process for Targa entrants and addresses participants’ inquiries and issues related to registration, event details, and logistics.   

Wayne (in red racing suit) with Andy Proudfoot (left) and Brad Melendy (centre), his former racing partner.