TN Newsletter Volume 15 Issue 5

Volume 15, Issue 5
May 1st, 2016
Targa Newfoundland
September 10th - 17th, 2016
St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada
Writer: Darren Sheppard
Targa Newfoundland Newsletter
Targa Newfoundland marketing efforts increase with new national
sponsor, marketing person in Ontario
Targa Newfoundland’s national marketing
effort has increased in the past month, with another
national sponsor coming on board and the naming of a
new marketing person for the Ontario motorsports
region.
K&K Insurance, Canada’s leading provider of
sports, leisure and entertainment insurance, has signed
on to become a major sponsor of the Targa’s 15th
anniversary tarmac rally.
The sponsorship provides K&K Insurance a
direct opportunity to deal with competitors who sign up
for Targa and who may wish to benefit from K&K
Insurance coverage during the event and in their other
personal leisure activities. As well, the Fast Tour
division of Targa will now be known as the K&K
Insurance Fast Tour division, giving K&K Insurance
exclusive naming rights for the non-competitive division
of Targa. K&K Insurance will also continue to provide
event insurance coverage to the entire event.
Targa has also added a marketing person in the
province of Ontario. Christina Kroner of Toronto
(photo right), will now be Targa’s representative in that
province. Kroner, who finished 3rd in last year’s Grand
Touring Equipped division, brings years of marketing
experience in the Greater Toronto Area. Her six years
of working in the automotive industry with MINI and
BMW, and her highly successful real estate business, has
allowed her to gain great exposure within both
industries in the region. She also has a personal love for
motorsports and maintains several social media accounts
regarding her adventures on four wheels.
“It was an honour to realize my dream of
competing in the Targa Newfoundland rally, one of the
most unique events in Motorsports, and an even bigger
honour to now work with the organization to grow
awareness and participation,” explained Kroner. “I’m so
looking forward to being a second-time competitor:
joining returning participants, new faces, volunteers and
the communities in Newfoundland with the Targa
organization in its 15th anniversary year.”
Division Entry Fees for 2016 Targa
Below are the entry fees to enter the 15th annual Targa Newfoundland this September. We do accept a down payment
on most entry fees (minimum of $2,500.00 CDN for Targa and Grand Touring divisions) and can work out a payment
plan for the remaining balance. It is something you do not want to miss!
*Please note, as of July 1st, HST in Newfoundland & Labrador will increase to 15%. That cost will be charged to all
competitors who register on and after that date. It will not affect competitors who register prior to the date or who have
already registered.

Add 13% HST to all fees below for total entry fees.
Fast Tour
Grand Touring
Targa
Quick Tour (1-3 days)
Per Day Rate
$ 4,295.00
$6,795.00
$7,795.00
$1,000.00
For entry forms or for more information on the event as a whole, please contact [email protected] or
call the office 1-877-332-2413. Payment plans are available, but monthly payments will be determined based on time of
entry and the deposit amount.
Private transportation from Toronto east available for Targa 2016
Scott Robbins (past competitor, 2nd place Classic
2015, 3rd place Open 2014, 3-time Targa plate winner, and
master of everything mechanical) transported several
vehicles to/from the mainland for the last several Targa’s.
Competitors who used his services were impressed with the
professionalism and the care he and his crew took in
bringing the vehicles down and back to their respective
homes. Scott will once again be transporting vehicles for
the 2016 Targa.
Scott has accessed to an enclosed trailer (pictured
below) and a couple of open trailers that he will use to
transport vehicles and gear for the event. Spots on all of
these trailers are quickly filling up! The price of transport
will be determined based on the number of vehicles, which
transport option the competitor wishes to use (enclosed or
open trailer) and the size of the vehicle itself.
He can pick up vehicles from Toronto and east
along the way to St. John’s. Vehicles from western Canada
and the U.S. are welcome to join the convoy at any point
(Toronto and east) or meet the convoy at the starting point
in Toronto.
Scott and his crew can also service vehicles that
they transport, or other vehicles that arrive without service
crews. He will be bringing an assortment of tools and can
work on any and all vehicles in under the comfort of the
huge pull-out on the trailer.
For more information on the cost and other
questions, please email Scott (picture above) at
[email protected] or call him at 905-424-3732.
Lucas Oil Challenge participants starting to take shape
The announcement of the Lucas Oil Challenge
earlier in 2016 caused great excitement within the Targa
family. Several teams have signed up for a chance to win a
free entry in the 2017 Targa Newfoundland.
The rules to participate in the Challenge is that
competitors must use Lucas Oil Products in their engine,
provide the type of oil products their engine needs prior to
the event, and provide all details that are requested on the
Challenge form that is provided to the competitor. Once
the form is handed to the office it will then be given to the
Lucas Oil representative, at which point he will then
provide all the necessary products, at no charge, to the
competitor. The team with the least amount of penalty
minutes at the conclusion of the Targa wins the Challenge
and a free entry into the 2017 Targa Newfoundland in a
division of their choice.
With the month of May now being on the calendar,
teams are focusing their attention on preparing their entries
for the event. It’s expected that even more entries will sign
up for the Lucas Oil Challenge in the near future. We ask
competitors to contact the office and provide us with the
necessary information to officially sign the entry up for the
Challenge.
To register for the Targa, to obtain a Challenge
form, or if there are any questions regarding the Lucas Oil
Challenge, please contact the office at 1-877-332-2413 or by
email at [email protected].
Targa Newfoundland now on Instagram
Another social media account has been created for
Targa Newfoundland to utilize!
www.instagram.com/targa_nl/ is now up and
promoting everything Targa. Please follow us on Instagram
where short videos, plenty of images and postings will
happen on a regular basis!
David Noseworthy (right), Targa's Archivist of all
documentation and history for the event, will run the
Instagram account. David's enjoying the creative freedom
he's having with the account and is looking forward to
posting more visual information for the fans to view.
"I've managed similar social media accounts in
other volunteer capacities in the past," explained
Noseworthy. Being able to help Darren Sheppard, GM of
Targa, with the Instagram account can let him focus on the
other social media in the Targa family. It'll also show our
different social media personalities, which is never a bad
thing."
"With adding another social media platform, it'll
certainly allow us to increase PR, reach new fans and
promote everything Targa in a more visual setting,"
concluded Noseworthy.
The Instagram symbol at the top right of the main
Targa Newfoundland page will take visitors directly to the
account. Targa's other social media platforms are also
available at the top right of the main page.
With the addition of Instagram, Targa is now
available through four major outlets - Facebook, Instagram,
Twitter and YouTube. The main Targa website will
continue to be the official source of information regarding
the event.
"Social media is very important in today's PR,"
stated Sheppard. "Having David assist us with the
Instagram account is greatly appreciated. Being able to use
as many assets as we can to get information out is vital for
our event. Using all of our social media accounts, are
improved website, plus having our review show back on
television in late 2016 or early 2017, is certainly a positive
for Targa and for those seeking information on the event."
Family affair as Quebec based Lognay Rally team enters its first Targa
A bucket list item for many motorsports enthusiast,
competing in Targa Newfoundland can be a lifelong dream
that one hopes to complete. For one Brossard, Quebec
family who together all compete in rally, it was a simple
question of when, not if, they were going to enter the Targa.
After some thought, the Lognay Rally team have officially
entered the 15th anniversary Targa in their 2010 Subaru
WRX STi and 1984 Audi Quattro.
Having a single car team of a brother and sister or
father and daughter is not a big deal at Targa. It happens
quite a lot. But, to have a two car team consisting of a
brother and sister in one and a father and daughter in the
other, all of the same family and on the same team, that is
unique.
From left to right: Lauriane, Larissa, Frank & Ludovic Lognay.
Ludovic Lognay and his sister Lauriane will be
competing in their first Targa in their 2010 Subaru WRX
STi. Both have competed in the Canadian Rally
Championship and Quebec Rally Championship,
respectively. Ludovic has podium three times, with
Lauriane podium once. They are not professional rallyist;
however they compete at a very high standard whenever
schedules allow for competition. When not rallying,
Ludovic is a mechanical engineer who owns a company that
builds truck bodies, while Lauriane is a jeweler and
gemmologist.
“It's a lot more preparation than what we are use to,
because of the distance to travel and also due to the
specificities of the rally, but the whole process is thrilling,”
Larissa explained when asked her thoughts on the event.
Lognay Rally team's 2010 Subaru WRX STi.
Lognay Rally team's 1984 Audi Quattro.
“Since we arrived in Canada 18 years ago (from the
Democratic Republic of the Congo, but all born in
Belgium), the Targa has always intrigued us,” stated
Ludovic. “We always try to watch it online or on television,
saying that one day we will try the experience. After getting
the chance to begin rally competition in 2010, that project
becomes closer. For competitions on asphalt, other than
those on a race track, this is the most beautiful experience.
Being that the competition is for a long period of time (five
days of actual timed competition) it adds extra motivation
to the challenge.”
Ludovic and Lauriane’s teammates, their father
and sister, Frank and Larissa Lognay, will be competing in
their 1984 Audi Quattro. A sure fan favorite due to the
rich rally history of the Quattro, having such a classic rally
car at Targa is quite a thrill for the organizers.
“The difficulty lies in the fact that we had to adapt
an old chassis 30 years of age with current technology into a
powerful rally car,” explained Frank when asked about the
history of the Quattro.
“We worked hard on the car for a year and a half,
working with Eric Dufresne from Yvan Turcotte Racing.
Initially, we had to adapt the long frame with a shorter
dimension (short wheel base) then find the different
suppliers of performance parts, not just replicas parts, for
both the engine (5-cylinder, 20 turbo valves), the gear box,
suspensions, brakes and a lot of other things. It would have
been easy to make a replica, but above all, we wanted an old
style car with all the modern technology. I believe the
finished product is exactly that and much more.”
With Frank’s extensive motorsports background
and Larissa’s five podium finishes in the Canadian and
Quebec Rally Championship’s, it also means the team will
certainly be competing for top honours at the Targa.
“We have two amazing cars and we have an
amazing team. Of course, here I'm talking about my
fabulous driver (and father), my brother and sister in the
second car, mom who's cheering, but I'm also talking about
our crew who's always ready to follow us. Without them,
this adventure wouldn’t even be possible. I am really
looking forward to seeing the beautiful province of
Newfoundland, to meeting all the people there and to
adding this event to my book of accomplishments. I am
sure we're gonna have a blast!”
Frank has also competed in both the Canadian and
Quebec Rally Championship’s, with five podium finishes.
He won the Quebec 4wd Championship in 2012 with
Larissa as his navigator. He’s also done Motocross in parts
of Africa, Belgium, Denmark, Portugal, Australia and New
Zealand from 1972 through 1980. He’s raced alongside the
likes of Joel Robert, a six time world champion and Gaston
Rahier, a three time world champion.
In keeping with the amateur status of the team,
Larissa is a photographer and owns a travel agency when
she’s not her father’s navigator. However, the family’s
motto regarding their attempt at the Targa means even
though amateurs, they are here for a single reason - We’re
not going to the Targa for a drive, but to compete there!
To follow the Lognay Rally team during their Targa
adventure, check them out on Facebook and Instagram
under Lognay Rally Team.
Local competitors in position to become first ever Targa Grand Master
With the 15th annual Targa Newfoundland
quickly approaching, local competitors are moving their
preparation into high gear. Several Newfoundland
competitors are eyeing the ultimate prize in Targa, earning
the distinction of being the first Targa Grand Master,
which will be awarded at the conclusion of the tarmac rally
this September.
A new twist in the 2016 Targa is the birth of the
Targa Masters Challenge. Created by Targa President and
co-creator Robert Giannou, the Challenge provides all
previous winners in either the Targa or Grand Touring
divisions a chance to compete head to head for the
distinction of being the first Targa Grand Master.
Newfoundlander to keep the Targa Grand Master crown
here at home, it should be something that is celebrated and
should cause great pride for those who are involved in the
provincial motorsports scene, no matter the event or series
they participate in.”
Scott Giannou & Felice. Photo by Ralph Saulnier.
Anderson & Cline Abrahams. Photo by Ralph Saulnier.
The potential for local individuals or teams to take
home the inaugural Targa Grand Master crown is available
to several from the Avalon Peninsula. The team of Billy
Anderson of Upper Gullies and Max Cline Abrahams of St.
John’s, Mike Mercer of St. John’s and Corey Prosser of
Paradise, and individuals Scott Giannou of St. John’s and
Justin Crant of Paradise, all could be Targa Grand Master’s
at the conclusion of the Targa, which is scheduled to be
held in the historic town of Brigus.
Besides potentially winning their respective
divisions, the previous winners will also have their penalty
times used to determine a winner amongst each returning
group, past Targa and Grand Touring winners. The past
team or individual winner with the least penalty time who
is entered in this year’s Targa will then be known as the
Targa Grand Master for their division, a champion of
champions that covers 15 years of competitors from all over
the world.
Hume Jr. & Crant. Photo by Ralph Saulnier.
Mercer & Prosser. Photo by Ralph Saulnier.
Giannou believes this is a great way to celebrate the
15th anniversary Targa while promoting the individual
achievement of those who would be crown Targa Grand
Master, especially if it happens to be a Newfoundlander.
“Winning in Targa is special. Being able to beat
other winners, the best of the best, is something not to be
taken lightly,” Giannou says. “The potential of a
Crant is the only Newfoundlander who can claim
to have won both in Grand Touring and Targa divisions,
an accomplishment in itself. Being named Targa Grand
Master would be a very proud moment for him should he
and his driver, John Hume Jr., of Ontario, win Targa this
year.
“I learned a lot about crew communication while
in the car during my first Targa,” he explained.
“Competing in Grand Touring really helped me master the
skills needed to be a good navigator. Moving up into Targa
division and winning there showed that I was ready to
navigate with the higher speeds, increased pressure and I
was quite comfortable being in the car. Being back in the
navigator seat with Jr. driving, I really like my chance of
keeping the Targa Grand Master title here in
Newfoundland.”
Mike Mercer and Corey Prosser are the defending
Classic division champions within Targa. The rookies won
in their first Targa last year and are hoping to repeat while
winning the Challenge.
“After a few years of being volunteers (with the
event) we decided to actually compete,” stated Mercer.
“Winning our division in 2015 was something we didn't
expect in our first year competing! To come back this year,
the 15th anniversary event, and have the opportunity to
compete for the Targa Grand Master is something Corey
and I can't wait for. Already proud to call Newfoundland
our home, winning this event with our local team would be
an unforgettable experience.”
Teams will continue to have the opportunity to
enter over the coming months. Some of those teams
potentially could qualify for the Challenge and be from
Newfoundland, increasing the chance of keeping the crown
from the prestigious motorsports event here in the province.
Owned and operated by Newfoundland
International Motorsports Limited, Targa Newfoundland is
one of three internationally recognized Targa motorsports
events in the world. The 2016 competition will start in St.
John’s on September 12th and concludes back in the
capital on September 16th. The annual rally will cover
more than 1,600 kilometers of the challenging, twisty roads
of the central and eastern portion of Newfoundland,
including over 440 kilometers of closed-road, flat-out Targa
stages.
Marketing agreement announced between Targa Newfoundland &
ChumpCar Canada/Canadian Sportscar Sprint Series
The ability to promote a major motorsports event,
such as Targa Newfoundland, across the country is an
important part of any marketing strategy. To accomplish
this important goal, Targa has reached a cross-marketing
agreement to promote a couple other well-known Canadian
racing series - ChumpCar Canada and the Canadian
Sportscar Sprint Series (CS3).
The agreement provides ChumpCar Canada and
CS3 access to all competitors of Targa via promotion on
the Targa official website, marketing material being given to
each competitor at registration, logo promotion on banners,
and decals of each series on all competitor vehicles during
the 15th anniversary Targa this September.
In return, Targa receives promotion on both the
ChumpCar Canada and CS3 official websites, marketing
material being available at all ChumpCar Canada and CS3
events during the 2016 racing season, a large Targa banner
placed within the paddock at each event, and decal
placement on all ChumpCar Canada and CS3 competitor
vehicles.
An incentive for competitors in each event/series is
that with the agreement, the overall winner in ChumpCar
and CS3 will each get to enter Targa in 2017, and the
overall winner in Targa this year will be able to compete in
a ChumpCar or CS3 event in late 2016 or during the 2017
racing season.
Robert Giannou, President of Targa, is ecstatic
with the new agreement and access to potential new
competitors across the country.
“Being able to reach this marketing agreement is
truly a great accomplishment for all involved. Targa will
now reach competitors in both ChumpCar and CS3 that
potentially would not be familiar with our event. And they
will reach a whole new group of potentials from our Targa
competitors. It really shows the great motorsports
community we have in this country.”
Wendy Edwards, Executive Director of ChumpCar
Canada and CS3, echoes Giannou’s excitement with the
agreement.
“We at ChumpCar Canada are excited to be
partnering with Targa Newfoundland in this cross
sponsorship program. Racing is alive and well in Canada
and we hope by promoting each other’s series that we
enlighten and educate even more Canadians about Targa
Newfoundland, ChumpCar Canada and the new Canadian
Sportscar Sprint Series (CS3). We look forward to a long
and mutually beneficial relationship.”
Owned and operated by Newfoundland
International Motorsports Limited, Targa Newfoundland is
one of three internationally recognized Targa motorsports
events in the world. The 2016 competition will start in St.
John’s on September 12th and concludes back in the
capital on September 16th. The annual rally will cover
more than 1,600 kilometers of the challenging, twisty roads
of the central and eastern portion of Newfoundland,
including over 440 kilometers of closed-road, flat-out Targa
stages.
Stage Operations Accreditation Program begins May 3rd!
Every spring Targa Newfoundland puts off its six
week safety training program for those Special Volunteers
who are planning on being out on the road with the event
for the entire Targa. This spring is no different, with the
course beginning on Tuesday, May 3rd, at the Prince Philip
Drive campus of the College of the North Atlantic.
Class starts at 7pm and runs approximately two
hours each session. Held in Classroom L201 at the
Murphy Centre (building L, photo right). A social then
occurs at a local food establishment after each session.
This six week course is free. The course teaches the
do's and don’ts of being out on a live stage during the event,
the proper way of securing a stage, setup of a stage, radio
communications, emergency protocol, media relations and
other associated topics relevant to Targa. A certificate and
stage operation license will be presented at the conclusion
of the program.
Mr. Joe Dowden, Training Coordinator for Targa,
will lead the course and will be assisted by a number of
guest speakers, who will present on specialized topics
throughout the course.
Targa is still in need of volunteers for Timing
Teams, Set-up Teams and Competitor Relations Officers,
along with general stage volunteers who can assist the event.
If you'd like to come out and see what the training session
is all about, please do so!
For further information on the program or how to
volunteer with the event, please contact the office at 1-877332-2413 or [email protected].
Targa plates to be issued for first time to Grand Touring in 2016
Targa is announcing that starting in this year’s event, Grand Touring competitors can obtain a Targa Plate (silver plate
below) should they complete all stages of the event and do not accumulate more than 3:00 minutes in total penalty time. Below
is the wording that will be added to the Rules and Regulations document to represent the change.
4.6 Grand Touring Division Trophy Plates
Targa Trophy Plates will be awarded to the crew member (driver, navigator or co-driver) completing all Targa stages in the
Grand Touring Division competition and scoring less than 3:00 minutes penalty points.
• Silver – each year
• Gold – third consecutive year
• Platinum – six consecutive years (four of which are silver)
• Diamond – nine consecutive years (six of which are silver)
This now will mean both competitive divisions within Targa (Targa and Grand Touring) will now be able to obtain Targa Plates.
Targa Newfoundland Contacts
targanfld.com - www.facebook.com/targanl - www.twitter.com/targanl - www.instagram.com/targa_nl
Robert Giannou
President
[email protected]
303 Thorburn Road, Suite 2-D
St John's, Newfoundland, Canada.
A1B 4R1
Cell: 709-682-7900 Tel: 877-332-2413 Fax: 709-753-7646
Darren Sheppard
General Manager
[email protected]
303 Thorburn Road, Suite 2-D
St John's, Newfoundland, Canada.
A1B 4R1
Tel: 709-722-2413 Tel: 877-332-2413 Fax: 709-753-7646
Targa Newfoundland Sponsors