In 1990, John Large and Max Stahl met over dinner to discuss ideas for a tarmac rally involving classic cars on Tasmania’s picturesque driving roads. Within a few hours of brainstorming and an almost “spontaneous combustion”, the essential framework for Targa Tasmania was laid out.

In his role as CAMS president, Large had various Tasmanian’s trying to come up with an event for the state and as a born-and-bred Tasmanian himself, was a driving force in getting a tarmac rally up and running in Tasmania. Equally, determined enthusiasts helped both Large and Stahl to turn their dream into reality in April 1992 when the inaugural Targa Tasmania was held. The inaugural event saw just over 180 prestige GT cars take part, covering over 2, 000 kilometres with 472 kilometres making up the competition stages to become the longest competition course of any Australian rally at this time.

Fast forward to today and Targa Tasmania has grown to visit every corner of this unique island with 500 plus of the world’s finest vehicles taking part each year in a `Cavalcade of Motoring History’.

Targa Tasmania is known around the world as `The Ultimate Tarmac Rally’ . An event all car enthusiasts should experience at least once in their lives.

FUTURE DATES FOR TARGA TASMANIA

16 to 21 November 2025

15 to 20 November 2026

14 to 19 November 2027

19 to 24 November 2028

18 to 23 November 2029