While the Australian Targa Championship is committed to providing a fantastic experience for its competitors, it is also committed to benefiting the broader community.
THE LOCAL REGION
Targa events bring millions of dollars into Tasmania, South Australia and Victoria each year. The events are deliberately designed to benefit small towns and regional areas, with planned rest stops where crews spend on accommodation, fuel and food. Interstate and capital city spectators are also drawn into these regions, providing a boost to local tourism.
Event organisers work closely with government departments, municipal councils, service clubs, transport groups, local businesses and residents along the stage routes to ensure their perspectives are well understood and considered in all stages of planning. The Targa events are reliant on local community support and, recognising this, organisers place high value on supporting community priorities in return.
SCHOOLS
In the interests of improving driver education and road safety, Targa has developed programs for primary and secondary school students. Drivers bring their cars and rally apparel to the school, showing students through the extensive safety systems involved. The aim is to give students an understanding of how race safety is managed, and highlight that the average road vehicle is not suited to driving at high speeds or under difficult conditions. Police management processes are also outlined to illustrate the differences between safe competition practices and unsafe general road use.
Older students may be given a basic introduction to vehicle components and the opportunity to partake in a professionally instructed, low speed driving task. This is presented as part of the CAMS Ignition program and emphasises that good, safe driving is a complex skill.
There are also various ways schools can benefit financially from Targa. Fundraising opportunities exist for schools and other community groups to cater for crew lunches. Profits from these lunch sales have enabled some schools to erect new buildings, improve facilities and buy updated equipment. Targa has also made donations and conducted coin drops to support local schools with similar initiatives.
THE ENVIRONMENT
While there’s no denying that motorsport generally does have some environmental impact, Targa is committed to making the overall impact a positive one. At every event, participants pay an environmental levy – an initiative that is setting an example for the rest of the motorsport world.
Greening Australia is Targa’s official environmental partner and each year Targa supports initiatives to restore and protect native vegetation and ecosystems around the country, for example, a hundred hectares of Tasmania’s Upper Derwent Valley has been replanted to connect existing conservation reserves. More information on Greening Australia can be found
here.
Targa has also helped fund various local council backed environmental projects, such as the Macclesfield Bushcare Group in the Adelaide Hills.
All drivers and crew are encouraged to use E85 fuel; an 85% ethanol product which reduces emissions while also increasing performance. Targa has been one of the pioneering organisations introducing and promoting this fuel within Australia.
THE SMITH FAMILY
The Smith Family is the official charity partner of Targa Adelaide. Each year, Targa supports Smith Family initiatives that improve the future for thousands of disadvantaged Australian children, particularly through improving their educational prospects. They are also given ongoing health, social and emotional support.
More information about the Smith Family can be found
here.
THE SPECTATORS
One of the most rewarding aspects of Targa, for both organisers and participants, is seeing the enjoyment the event brings to the thousands of spectators who line the roadsides each year. Spectators travel from interstate and even overseas to watch the rally, with many bringing eskies, BBQs and even couches to make the outing a real party.
Fans are encouraged to use the spectator viewing areas set up on each stage of the course, as these areas are identified as offering the best possible views from the safest locations.
Targa organisers also work closely with local councils and community groups to develop street parties, night stages and other side activities which provide interaction with drivers and their vehicles and maximise the Targa fan’s overall experience.
Immanuel Lutheran School, Gawler, SA
"Funds raised via the coin drop will be put towards the development of our soon to be completed Reception/Year One Learning Centre, with a particular focus on their outdoor learning space, and our village partnership in Cambodia."
Julian Helbig (Deputy Principal)
Macclesfield Primary School, SA
"The money raised will be used towards the upgrade of new equipment and repainting of old equipment in the school playground."
Mandy Jane Butroff (Parent Club Member)
Jason White wins back-to-back Targa Tasmania titles
Local hero Jason White has claimed back-to-back Targa Tasmania titles after dominating the five-day marathon in his Lamborghini Gallardo Super Trofeo Stradale.
In securing his fourth Targa Tasmania title, White and his co-driver, John White, also claimed consecutive CAMS Australian Targa Championship wins.
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Denyer thrilled with Showroom triumph
The RDA Brakes Showroom competition went to Grant Denyer and Dale Moscatt after a convincing drive that saw them take victory by 17 minutes.
The pair had trailed the similar Renault of Adam Spence in the early part of the rally, but after Spence went off the road, the result was beyond doubt.
Denyer loved everything about the event, and was glowing in his praise.
“With the lead we had today I was thinking about taking it easy and just cruising home, but we somehow finished third fastest outright on Mount Arrowsmith,” Denyer said.
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Kennard conquers 4WD Showroom
Angus
Kennard would probably be the first to admit that he wasn’t the fastest driver
in 4WD, but he was in front when it mattered.
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Regularity win is all in the timing for Friths
Peter and
David Frith have completed a stellar event, taking the Targa Tasmania and
Australian Targa Championship titles in the Regularity competition.
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