News - Targa Australia

White braces for tough challenge

15-Aug-2018 Ian Chesterman

Ace pair Jason and John White are bracing for their toughest challenge yet at the inaugural Targa Great Barrier Reef in Tropical North Queensland.

Targa campaigner ready for tropical test

13-Aug-2018 Ian Chesterman

Highly experienced tarmac rally entrant David Watson is itching to ease back into the driver’s seat at the exciting new Targa Great Barrier Reef competition in tropical North Queensland.

David Watson at Targa Tasmania in 2017 (Photo: Angryman Photography)

Convoy of exotic supercars and historic sports cars gearing up for Far North road race

12-Aug-2018 Brittany Smith

The countdown is on until some of Australia’s best exotic supercars and historic sports cars hit Far North Queensland’s scenic roads.

Selling out in just two weeks, Porsche owners from the southern states were among the field of more than 200 cars to have snapped up the opportunity to take part in the inaugural Targa Great Barrier Reef.

Cairns mechanic signs up for dream race

11-Aug-2018 Brittany Smith

Taking part in Targa Great Barrier Reef is more than just a race for Cairns mechanic Shane Buchanan.

It’s a labour of love. He has spent the past four months rebuilding his 1983 Mitsubishi Starion from the ground up especially for the event.

Cairns mechanic Shane Buchanan working on his 1983 Mitsubishi Starion in his Bungalow workshop that he will be driving in upcoming Targa Great Barrier Reef rally

Bray to adopt cautious approach

10-Aug-2018 Ian Chesterman

CAMS Australia Targa Championship Classic GT points leader Michael Bray hopes to extend his winning run in his class at the inaugural Targa Great Barrier Reef.

Michael Bray in his 1975 V8-powered Holden Torana. Photo courtesy of Angryman Photography

Targa Tasmania 2018 Classic TV Show Preview

09-Aug-2018 Brittany Smith

Our Targa Tasmania 2018 Classic (Feat. TSD & Tour) TV Show is premiering on Channel NINE this Saturday 11th August at 12:30PM in Tasmania, Victoria, Queensland & New South Wales.

Make sure you tune in to relive all the action from Targa Tasmania 2018 - check out the sneak peak below!

Both our Modern Show & Classic Show will be available for free download soon.

Father and son to compete at Targa Great Barrier Reef

08-Aug-2018 Brittany Smith

A Father and son will be pitted against each other in an epic battle for family bragging rights.

Five time Australian rally champion Ross Dunkerton will compete against his eldest boy Aaron, who is a lawyer, in the Targa Great Barrier Reef run.

It’s the first time the pair have faced off in a race.

Article courtesy of Cairns Post - 8.8.18

Crown Prosecutor with the Director of Public Prosecutions Aaron Dunkerton will be competing in the Targa Great Barrier Reef in a Nissan Silvia. He will be sure to get some advice from his father, five time Australian Rally Champion Ross Dunkerton, who is also competing in the Targa in a Subaru WRX.

Official Spectator Guide - Targa Great Barrier Reef 2018

08-Aug-2018 Brittany Smith

There is an overwhelming level of excitement about the first ever Targa Great Barrier Reef.

So much so that we have produced a special detailed spectator guide to help you to see all the action, as it unfolds, and more importantly, watch Targa safely.

Download yours now and get ready for the Targa action to begin on 31^st August.

Crews accelerate preparations

07-Aug-2018 Ian Chesterman

Competitors are touching off intricate reconnaissance runs in the lead up to Targa Great Barrier Reef from August 31-September 2.

Ashley Yelds in his magnificently presented 1961 Volvo 122S

Rare motor Targa-bound

02-Aug-2018 Brittany Smith

Bruce and Gail Absolon are back and raring to hit the track with a brand new set of wheels.

Keeping the iconic blue of Team Whitsunday's past cars, the racing power couple's new rig throws some eye-catching orange into the mix to put their region on the map.

Bruce and Gail Absolon with their Porsche Turbo S outside Repco at Whitsunday Plaza on Saturday. The local couple will compete in the Australian Targa Road Racing Championship later this month

Over $20 million worth of cars lined up for Cairns Targa rally

25-Jul-2018 Brittany Smith

$20 MILLION worth of cars are set to line the Esplanade for the inaugural Targa Great Barrier Reef rally.

215 competitors will take to the road on August 31 for the rally, but Cairns car enthusiasts will have plenty of opportunities to check out some quality engines.

Targa North West to again kick off 2019 Championship

12-Jul-2018 Brittany Smith

After the very successful running of the first two day Targa North West earlier this year, 2019 will see a 'business as usual' approach to the Burnie based event, with it again being the opening round of the CAMS Australian Targa Championship.

Targa Great Barrier Reef Wants To Run Closed Stage on Coast Road

12-Jul-2018 Brittany Smith

The organisers of the Targa Great Barrier Reef road race want to use the Captain Cook Highway between Cairns and Port Douglas for the event, which involves closing the road for up to four hours, as soon as next year if possible.

Targa Australia Events Go Global

10-Jul-2018 Brittany Smith

Exciting news for the Targa world today, with Targa Australia signing an International distribution agreement, which will see the 2018 Targa Tasmania TV shows and the upcoming Targa Great Barrier Reef TV Show, telecast to 130 countries around the world, over the coming months.

Cairns Post Article 7.7.18

10-Jul-2018 Brittany Smith

Check out our half page spread in the Cairns Post over the weekend.

Targa Great Barrier Reef – Inaugural Course Released

07-Jul-2018 Brittany Smith

Targa Great Barrier Reef is promising plenty of excitement at the end of next month with the first ever running of a Targa event in Queensland.

The new event, to be based in Cairns from Friday 31st August to Sunday 2nd September, is modelled on the world’s largest tarmac rally, Targa Tasmania, which has been held annually on the Apple Isle since making its debut in 1992.

Shannons Extend Long Association To New Event

22-Jun-2018 Brittany Smith

Shannons, who have the rare distinction of supporting every Targa Tasmania held since 1992, have just agreed to extend their close association with Targa Australia in agreeing to sponsor the exciting new Targa Great Barrier Reef for the next three years.

Targa team numbers capped at 215 in Cairns

07-Jun-2018 Brittany Smith

Competitor numbers have been limited to 215 in the inaugural Targa Great Barrier Reef tarmac rally in three months.

Pullman Reef Hotel Casino To Support Targa Great Barrier Reef

06-Jun-2018 Brittany Smith

The first running of Targa Great Barrier Reef promises to bring plenty of excitement to the Cairns region. With the event positioned to attract high earning visitors to Cairns, it was always going to have great synergies with Pullman Reef Hotel Casino in being able to provide these visitors with the high quality stay, that they will be looking for in late August and early September.

Targa High Country 2018 Street Stage

25-May-2018 Brittany Smith

We have been exploring all options to ensure that it could continue to be, so with this now completed, we are also excited to announce that the Mansfield Street Stage will go ahead for the 9th time this year and will actually be 400 metres longer than the 2017 version. At 4.6km, it will now only be 200 metres shorter than the famous, George Town Super Street Stage.

Mates Ready To Burn Rubber On Big Tarmac Circuit

21-May-2018 Brittany Smith

The Far North’s main motor racing organisation, FNQ Motorsports Club, is heavily involved in Targa Great Barrier Reef.

Vice-president Trevor Thompson said it was an opportunity to showcase the club, which was restricted to dirt venues because of the lack of a tarmac circuit in the region.

Targa Great Barrier Reef is becoming bigger than expected

21-May-2018 Brittany Smith

Organisers of the inaugural Targa Great Barrier Reef tarmac rally in the Far North are considering limiting numbers after being overwhelmed with entries.

Participant numbers have hit 214, far more than a target of 150 for the three-day event from August 31 to September 2.

Targa Great Barrier Reef Billboards Start Monday

18-May-2018 Brittany Smith

The excitement is really starting to build now towards the first running of Targa Great Barrier Reef. What better way to let the world know about the event than to put up some very large electronic billboards in key locations in Melbourne and Sydney.

Targa High Country to Remain a Three Day Event in 2018

17-May-2018 Brittany Smith

In spite of wrapping up the 27th Targa Tasmania and working tirelessly on the inaugural Targa Great Barrier Reef, we have also been focusing on how we could continue to deliver a three day event, at Targa High Country.

Beginners Guide to being a Targa Official

15-May-2018 Brittany Smith

This guide will assist you in understanding what is involved with being a volunteer official, the many different aspects and roles that may interest you, and what is expected of you as a professional official.

If you have any questions after reading this guide, don’t panic, just contact the Targa team and they can answer all your questions!

Click here to download

Targa Tasmania Rookie Rallye 2019 Eligibility

08-May-2018 Brittany Smith

As a major part of our long term vision for Targa Tasmania, we introduced the Rookie Rallye. It will be contested over the FULL COURSE DISTANCE, yes, all six days will need to be conquered to win the Rookie Rallye.

To ensure that new competitors are highly motivated to take the very large step up into the world of Targa Tasmania, an entry fee that is 50% discounted, will be offered. This will greatly assist those wanting to compete on the toughest stage and climb the highest mountain.

Targa Tasmania 2019 Entries now open

04-May-2018 Brittany Smith

With the warmest Targa Tasmania ever held now successfully completed, we are already putting the plans into place for the 28th running of Targa Tasmania, from 29th April to 4th May 2019.

CAMS Australia Targa Championship points update

01-May-2018 Brittany Smith

After the running of Round 2 of the CAMS Australian Targa Championship at Targa Tasmania, a number of competitors have claimed a strong position in the various competitions that make up the championship.

Now officially the country’s largest national motorsport championship in terms of competitors, with a total of 157 different vehicles competing so far this year, the Outright competitions for Modern and Classic cars has seen both round one leaders maintain their places at the top.

What every class winner had to say

21-Apr-2018 Ian Chesterman

What the winners said …

Whites secure seventh Targa Tasmania victory

21-Apr-2018 Ian Chesterman

Jason and John White have withstood ailing tyres to produce a stunning victory in Australia’s showpiece tarmac rally, Targa Tasmania.

Celebrations - Targa Tasmania 2018 run and won

Targa set for cliffhanger finish as Close cuts lead

20-Apr-2018 Ian Chesterman

Matt Close has set-up the prospect of a grandstand finish after chopping into the advantage of Jason White following an intense battle on the penultimate day of Targa Tasmania.

What they said - Day 5

20-Apr-2018 Ian Chesterman

Our in-field reporter caught up with a few of the drivers at the end of Day 5. See what they had to say.

Close refuses to wave white flag

19-Apr-2018 Ian Chesterman

Porsche flyer Matt Close remains upbeat about his chances of reeling in the tearaway Dodge Viper of Jason White with two days of Targa Tasmania remaining.

What they said - Day 4 quotes

19-Apr-2018 Ian Chesterman

Our infield reporter was at the end of Day 4 to chat to a few of the drivers. See what they had to say.

Some competitor quotes from Day 3

18-Apr-2018 Ian Chesterman

Our in-field reporter caught up with a number of competitors at the start of Rossarden. Have a read of what they said.

White gets Close attention on Day 3

18-Apr-2018 Ian Chesterman

Jason and John White continue to resist the challengers with another stoic display to lead Targa Tasmania after Day 3.

The Sideling provides a great driving experience

Quotes from Day 2

17-Apr-2018 Ian Chesterman

Our intrepid infield reporter caught up with a number of competitors before the start of Mt Roland. Read on to find out what they throat about their day.

Class wraps - Day 2 at Targa

17-Apr-2018 Ian Chesterman

We look at many of the different classes after day at Targa Tasmania

Sutcliffe and Mitchell lead Early Modern

17-Apr-2018 Ian Chesterman

The Dutton’s Garage Early Modern competition has seen an intriguing battle on day two of Targa Tasmania, with the leading drivers jostling for position over the six stages and 75 competitive kilometres.

Whites squeeze out advantage after Day 2

17-Apr-2018 Ian Chesterman

Jason and John White have put on a dynamic display to increase their edge over the field in the overall battle after the second day of Targa Tasmania.

Email Address:		Password: Forgot ?

To enter an event or receive the latest Targa news: Sign Up