Targa Newfoundland has updated the rules for 2025 to enhance safety while keeping the event exciting and challenging for entrants of all levels of skill and experience.
The most significant changes are in the Targa 1 division. Top speed has been increased to 155 kph in Targa 1 and cars entered in this competitive category must now have a minimum of a single hoop rollover protection. Removable roll bars are acceptable. Targa allows this so teams can return their cars to stock appearance after the rally.
Roll bars have long been required in every division for open and convertible cars like the Team Jellybean Beaumont shown below. Roll cages are optional in Targa 1 and mandatory in Targa 2.
With the top speed in Targa 1 increased to 155 kph, the executive team decided greater rollover protection was necessary for this competitive class.
- The single hoop is intended to protect the driver and co-driver in the event of a rollover.
- The dimensions of the bar are based on the weight of the vehicle.
- Bars can be mounted permanently or removable (all or sections).
- The roll bar hoop and all braces must be made of seamless or ERW or DOM mild steel tubing or chrome molybdenum alloy steel such as SAE 4125 or SAE 4130.
- The rollover hoop must meet the following vehicle weight specifications:
Open and convertible cars like Team Jellybean’s Beaumont have long been required to have a roll bar in every division. New in 2025, all cars entered in Targa 1 will need roll-over protection.
Lessons from Targa Tasmania
“Targa Newfoundland has worked hard to achieve an exemplary safety record and this is still our number priority. Over the past 10 events, we and our competitors have successfully reduced our incident rate to almost zero. In fact there have been only a couple of minor off course excursions in recent years,” says Targa chairman Robert Giannou.
Targa Newfoundland saw what happened at Targa Tasmania in Australia where there have been fatalities in recent years.
“The Targa executive team made these adjustments after studying the experiences of Targa Tasmania, which has been doing this even longer than us. We want to ensure Targa Newfoundland continues to be competitive, challenging, and exciting while also being as safe as possible for teams in every division.”
Cars competing in Targa 2 must have a full roll cage like the one in Savage Rallysport’s Ford Fiesta.
Rule changes for all divisions
Other changes for all divisions concern recce runs and pace notes. Recce (i.e., reconnaissance) runs won’t be allowed once a leg has started for a given day. Pace notes are not permitted in the rally. Detailed route books are provided prior to the start of Targa.