Newfoundland Rally Race

[okeefe]

I just saw the tail end on tv of some rally race that goes on in Newfoundland. Anyone know anything about it?

[djb]

I've seen it on tv a few times, my friend who tapes Speed channel stuff for me told me of it. He also has an uncle who has participated in it twice I think. When my friend told me of it first, it seemed pretty daft as I had never heard of it, but after watching the taapes of it, it looks quite the experience, although for those not familiar with Canadian geography, it is a hell of long way away from Montreal lets say. The people who do it must be all wealthy cuz the transportation alone must be quite a pile of dosh.For me to drive there wouold take about 3 days, 3 North American highway days, so probably 2000 kms.

as for race, it looks pretty loosey goosey, ie rather wide open areas where I wouldn't want to have an accident, meaning I would have concerns about realistic response time for safety people etc.

other than my friend,this is the only time I've seen someone else bring it up.

[okeefe]

Thanks djb - I'm originally from Quebec -- Eastern Townships, so I can relate that it would be quite a fair distance to go for some fun, but it sure did look like fun! After sleeping on it - I remember the name of the race I think they called it "Targa" or something like that. I'm sure they mentioned a team from Quebec, and one from Ontario, some from the States. I've bought a movie called "Dust to Glory" about the endurance race in Mexico which also looked like an amazing experience. I thought perhaps this one in Newfoundland would be a more cost effecient alternative from Ontario where I am now. I have a Volvo that I thought I'd try to have some fun with before I retire it to its glory - a race sort of like that, give it a go and see where you end up and what happens along the way! I think that race was over 5 or 6 days, so it would be the scenic route all around Newfoundland, that's for sure! Let's try it!

[djb]

from what I remember, there are different catagories, a classic or show one that allows people with really nice cars to drive a little bit fast, but more of a show thing I think, then there's the rally proper, with timed sections of a given stage given a set time that you must do it in, where you really have to hustle it along to do the time set for your car. These sorts of rallies were/are very popular in the UK, so if you are serious about it, there would be folks here on 10/10ths that can give a better description, and then of course there must be a website with more info on it.

as for doing it,nice thought, but no time nor funds, family life is a priority. Thanks for the tape offer, but I hardly have time to watch the stuff my friend in Kingston tapes for me, but thanks again though. (et merci quand mëme)

ps, I tried looking up the onroule.com site, but nothing. As for Quebec, I've lived here in Montreal for 21 years now, and still enjoy it here. The politics can be well, depending on your slant, interesting, but all in all its still a neat city to live in.

[okeefe]

Looks like it would sure be a good time, that's for sure! Sorry you couldn't find OnRoule.com it's pretty up to date on Quebecois racers! Do you not get Speed in Quebec/Montreal?

[djb]

found onroule.ca, it was the .com that messed things up. I haven't seen it before, but while I read and speak French well, I don't go out of my way to find French sites, just for the time factor of reading, its so much faster in English for me.

No, Speed is not available here unless you have a satellite dish i think, it is definately not on any of the cable offerings. Used to watch lots of it from my friends tapes, but as the kids are getting older, there is more and more stuff to do with them, homework etc etc so hence the little time.

[okeefe]

Oh, sorry - I'm not too internet smart yet to have this .com or .ca figured out - although my children can spin circles around me on this computer.......! I like Onroule. for the info on the Quebec racers and also because it allows me to practice writing and reading in French - I need the practice! I can't seem to figure out these tv stations either I'm afraid - I just get a TV guide and hope for the best to catch whatever good races I can when I can! If I can swing such a racing holiday in Newfoundland in my Volvo that I'd like to retire in style - I'll find a computer and post from there and tell you "salut"! If you ever come across the movie Dust to Glory, if you like Rally and endurance, I think you'd like it! Speaking of homework and house and kids...duty calls - merci bien pour l'info encore!

[okeefe]

djb, do you ever go around or know what goes on these days at the track in Drummondville?

[racerkeke]

It's called the Targa Newfoundland. Just Google on that name and the site for it will come right up. It's in September this year.

I know about it because a couple of vintage racing buddies of my dad's did it some years ago, and a guy who's a regular customer at the store where I work has a jacket from it... apparently one of his relatives is an organizer.

While it appears to be a fun week, I hear it's more competitive than the web site lets on.

keke

[okeefe]

Thanks! I'll search it after I get back from my walk. September, eh? Can you come up with a car by then -- let's make it a challenge and give it a whirl! All this typing about racing makes my fingers itch to get on a wheel....... I guess it'd be competitive for some, but really, I'd like to take a trip and have some fun along the way and of course....go as fast as I could along the way..... Thanks for the info!

[okeefe]

This is pretty neat - looks as though you can rent a Honda CRX Tarmac Rally car, all prepared including a full maintenance crew, SCCA roll cage, safety equipment, tires, fuel, in-car video, intercom, terratrip rally computer, delivery, even comes including tarmac rally coaching throughout the race! I'm afraid only to ask how much........

[djb]

you said it! (expensive I mean) and by the way, sorry I didn't reply, no I was never around Drummondville, only knew Sanair a little with bike racing, Shannonville in Ontario and have been to Ste Eustache here near Montreal.

[okeefe]

Oh hey no problem I sent for the info package on Targa - they don't broadcast the price of the rental rally car on the site that I could see anyway but yes I'm pretty sure it'll make my eyes pop. I don't know if it would feel as good jumping around those roads in a car that's rented - may feel kinda phoney to me who loves fast cars way too much.
I've thought about retiring my volvo out there on a little endurance/rally holiday - just kinda get as far as I can with it as fast as I can, but my one girlfriend who used to ride with me some won't anymore. So I guess I'd have to rent a co-pilot even!
There used to be some bike racing around Drummondville and Montreal back when I was around there I know too - good fun. I think there are some sprint cars around Drummondville from what I've looked at online and I've been following last season a little bit of sprint races on the local Six Nations track here in Ontario.
It's all such good fun - too bad it is all so very expensive anymore to have that good fun.

[bimmer4me]

I've participated in Targa Newfoundland since 2003 (going on our 4th year in a couple of weeks!) and can tell you it is a BLAST!

You have to think of it as a motorsports vacation.

If you were going to spend a week overseas on vacation (Europe/Asia/Australia), you would spend as much if not more.

With that in mind, it is the best driving experience you can have... as the event motto goes "Driving It The Way It Was Meant To Be Driven..."

Brian