Team: Spud Performance - Targa Newfoundland

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.”