Team: Spud Performance - Targa Newfoundland

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)*

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.

*Spud Performance 2025 edition – Jeremy Boehner (left) and driver Keir Pollard.*

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, long-time friend and motorsports enthusiast Jeremy Boehner.

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

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

“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 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.

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 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.”