THE HISTORY
Targa Tasmania had its beginnings in the mid-eighties when Tasmania was potentially seen as a prefect location to re-invent the great rallies of Europe which had run for the last time long ago.
The opportunity for such an event was expanded on and its competition parameters were defined in a plan. The primary objective was to create a brand new and unique event to utilise and promote the special features of Tasmania, then to develop that event into a high-prestige occasion recognised throughout the world of automobile competition as an essential activity for owners and collectors of sporting automobiles.
A three-day event was designed, using the three major centres - Launceston, Hobart and Burnie. This was then expanded into a five-day format by adding two loops based on Launceston and Hobart. The addition of the Prologue in 1994 has resulted in the six day event that now exists.
Targa Tasmania is held at a similar time each year, in order to support the tourism industry during what is known as the "shoulder period" - that is, when the summer season starts to dip towards the winter nadir.
It is important to recognise that Targa Tasmania is more than a motorsport competition. It is a total event. A competition run in the context of a public festival environment.
Unlike most rallies, it runs directly in front of the public - in the public eye and under public scrutiny. Also unlike most rallies, it involves up to 300 vehicles which must run at 30-second intervals in order to make the road-closing schedule achievable. The resulting pressure at control points is compounded by the fact that some of the navigators are relatively inexperienced and are not familiar with control procedures.
Targa Tasmania is surrounded by a great deal of hype and adrenalin, powered by a high level of media involvement - not to mention the exuberance of some of the competitors. All this makes Targa Tasmania the Ultimate Tramac Rally.
Now in its 19th year, Targa Tasmania has grown to become one of the world's true classic motor sport events, and a name that is known around the world.
THE "TARGA" ORIGIN
'Targa' is Italian for 'plate', and the event borrows its name from the famous classic rally of the early part of this century when Vincenzo Florio conducted a great motoring event around the island of Sicily. This event ran for 69 years, from 1906 to 1974.
The first prize was a magnificent copy of his family plate, or targa, and the event was known as Targa Florio - no cash was involved as prize money.
In the true tradition of Targa Florio, Targa Tasmania also offers no prize money, only the thrill of competing on some of the world's most challenging roads, and the chance to win magnificent targa (plate) trophies.
These trophies are awarded for winners of the competitions, category and class, then in addition there is the opportunity for every competitor to collect a coveted Targa Trophy as well.
Many crews enter the event purely with the aim of winning a Targa Trophy. Category, or event class honours are secondary and, if achieved, are considered to be a bonus. The spirit of participation, the spirit of competition, and the spirit of the event itself are the real rewards, with the expense involved in tackling a major event like Targa Tasmania for no prize money and only a trophy being overcome by the sense of achievement in completing the rally, and the immense enjoyment of competing.
THE TARGA EXPERIENCE
Some of the more modern exotic cars which have contested the event are Ferrari F40 and Testarossa, Maserarti Barchetta, Lamborghini Diablo VT, Porsche 911 Turbo and Lamborghini Gallardo, whilst some of the classic and historic vehicles include Lancia Aurelia, Jaguar SS100, Lagonda Rapide, Delage D6/70, Bugati Type 35B, Hispano Suiza, Invicta 'S' Type, Locomobile Speedster, Rolls Royce Silver Ghost, and Alfa Romeo Mille Miglia Spider.
Drivers who have enjoyed the thrill of Targa Tasmania include Sir Jack Brabham, Stirling Moss, Denny Hulme, Sandra Munari, Roger Clark, Jochen Mass, Walter Roehrl, Dick Johnson, Gregg Hansford, Peter Brock, Rusty French, Glenn Ridge, Greg Crick, Andrew Miedecke, Neal Bates, Bob Wollek, Jim Richards, Peter Fitzgerald, Barry Sheene, Eric Bana, Grant Denyer, Dean Herridge, Ed Ordynski, Ross Dunkerton, Rob Herridge, Mick Doohan, Alistair McRae, Greg Rust, Kerri-Anne Kennerley and Peter Hall.
