Experience Dominates Targa Newfoundland
September 18, 2008 (Marystown, NL) - It is the second last day of the week-long Targa Newfoundland and it is not surprising to see that a large majority of the leaders are returning Targa competitors. Eight of the top 10 have several years of Targa experience under their hoods. In fact, two of the top 10 are previous winners.
Newfoundland’s Tom Collingwood Jr. and his cousin and navigator, Chris Collingwood Jr., started the day in 10th position overall, their best showing ever. However, a mechanical issue just before lunch will have their service crew working through the night.
Although Andrew Comrie Picard is no stranger to Targa Newfoundland, as you’ve likely seen him as host of the event’s TV productions, this is his first competition effort. Driving a 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution GSR, along with navigator Jen Horsey, Andrew Comrie Picard is relying on his experience as a top North American rally driver. He finished the day 5th overall.
Frank Sprongl and Rick Hendricksen, driving a 1983 Audi Quattro Coupe AWD, are Targa Newfoundland rookies, however, they bring numerous North American rally victories. Sprongl is regarded as one of the top drivers in North America in the last two decades. The team are currently 10th going into the last day of competition.
While the Targa division sees a high percentage of returning teams, the Grand Touring division is usually a completely new field each year. Grand Touring is about precision driving and allows competitors to gain an understanding of the overall event. These competitors usually return to participate in the Targa division in the future. John Vandemierden and Stu Lehmann from Ontario, driving a 2008 Lotus, have been leading Grand Touring the last two days.
Targa Newfoundland organizer, Robert Giannou, said “Every year we see attrition in the event and 2008 is no exception. At this point seven competition crews will not complete the event and receive their finisher medallion at the Keg on Friday.”
Harold Seagle, a 4th time competitor, says, “This is an endurance event. The main goal is to finish and anything else is a bonus.”
Owned and operated by Newfoundland International Motorsports Limited, Targa Newfoundland is one of three internationally recognized Targa motorsports events in the world. The 7thannual Targa Newfoundland will start and end in St. John's and will cover more than 2,000 kilometres of the challenging, twisty roads of the central and eastern portion of the island of Newfoundland over six days, including up to 400 kilometres of closed-road, flat-out Targa stages. Competitors have come from the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, Holland, the Bahamas and the U.K. for the first six editions of Targa Newfoundland and international interest continues to build with competitors registering daily from places such as Germany and the Turks & Caicos.
Please visit the Targa Website for daily photos: (http://www.targanewfoundland.com/multimedia/photos ).
From Lesley Sparkes
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