Excitement builds for milestone TARGA Tasmania
| Excitement builds for milestone TARGA Tasmania Wednesday March 30, 2022 The countdown is on for the 30th anniversary edition of TARGA Tasmania. Considered world’s most pre-eminent tarmac rally, TARGA Tasmania has attracted a massive entry list that is expected to top 500 cars across 10 different categories. A key plank in boosting Tasmania’s annual economy and tourism, the six-day rally starts on April 26 from Launceston and finishes at Princes Wharf 1 in Hobart for the traditional ceremonial finish on May 1. TT30 will see competitors tackle 34 timed stages across the length and breadth of Tasmania, returning with the traditional George Town stage on the opening day and concluding with the run from Strahan to Hobart of the final day. The field will be based in Launceston until Thursday morning and will spend Friday and Saturday nights in Strahan before finishing in the state’s capital on Sunday afternoon for the special post-event 30th Anniversary celebrations. “There is a lot of excitement building for our big 30th anniversary event which has drawn a huge field of cars,” TARGA Australia chief executive Mark Perry said. “We, as with all of Australia, have been faced with some difficult challenges over the last two years with COVID-19 but we are now looking forward to putting on the biggest and best TARGA Tasmania event that there has ever been. “If you look at the entry list there has been a big spike in the number of entries in response the landmark anniversary and it augurs well for a hugely successful week.” A one-off innovation for TT30 was the introduction of a special Tasmanian Tour (non-competitive) section reserved solely for Tasmania residents. The Tasmanian Tour is designed to thank locals for their support over the last 30 years with the limited number of entries filled quickly after its announcement last December. Around 70 locals have signed up for their first taste of TARGA. Among the competitors vying for outright honours are Devonport guns Jason and John White (Dodge Viper) who are aiming to equal Jim Richards and Barry Oliver’s record eight wins at TARGA Tasmania. Returning as defending champions are north-west Tasmanians Eddie Maguire and Zak Brakey in another Dodge Viper. Former two-time winner Tony Quinn and Kate Catford return in a 2018 Nissan GT-R while Luke Anear and Andy Sarandis are expected to be in the mix in their 2018 Mercedes GT R. Brain cancer survivor Jeff Morton and co-driver Daymon Nicoli had the perfect build-up to TT30 after their brilliant performance to win TARGA High Country based at Victoria’s Mt Buller in February. The field, made up of competition and touring cars, will be waved off from the official start at the Launceston Grand Chancellor from midday on April 26. For further information about the event, including road closure information, go to targa.com.au. |
| Media contact details Gordon Lomas – 0419 733 995 |