Targa Tasmania is a tarmac-based rally event held on the island state of Tasmania, Australia, annually since 1992. The event takes its name from the Targa Florio, a former motoring event held on the island of Sicily. The competition concept is drawn directly from the best features of the Mille Miglia, the Coupe des Alpes and the Tour de Corse.
In 2008 the course was substantially revised, a number of well liked stages from previous years are now used (Riana), and a number of all new stages were introduced (Mount Claude and Rossarden). Leg 3 was dropped by shortening the Leg 2 East Coast day ending back in Launceston (rather than Hobart). Leg 3 is another loop north out of Launceston (running through Devonport on this day). Leg 4 later ran from Launceston through the lunch stop at Burnie to the evening end at Strahan. It was the longest tarmac rally in Australia with no repeated stages. Although a couple of stages will share the same piece of road in opposite directions on consecutive days.
The Targa is one of several Tarmac Rally events to be held in Australia. It also has had international connections with Targa New Zealand and Targa Newfoundland which have evolved since the inception of Targa Tasmania.
List of past winners
In 2016 the premier category changed from Modern to Showroom GT2.
A Targa Trophy is awarded to the driver and co-driver/navigator of each crew that completes all stages within the specified time for their class of vehicle. In subsequent years, the trophy may be upgraded as follows:[18]
Golden Targa Trophy - 3 consecutive regular trophies
Platinum Targa Trophy - having achieved Gold then gaining another 3 consecutive regular trophies
Diamond Targa Trophy - having achieved Platinum then gaining another 3 consecutive regular trophies
Gold Diamond Targa Trophy - having achieved Diamond then gaining another 3 consecutive regular trophies
Platinum Diamond Targa Trophy - having achieved Gold Diamond then gaining another 3 consecutive regular trophies
Once achieving Platinum Gold, the competitor is inducted into the Targa Hall of Fame Legends
2017 Trophy Classifications
Class
Competitors
Gold (3 successive regular)
Mary Hughes, Greg Fitzgerald, Suzanne Atkins, Steve Glenney, Scott Hunter, Trevor Macleod
Platinum (2 x gold)
Ian Wheeler, Peter Roberts, Angus Kennard, Neil Botha, Kim Burke, Damien Grimwood
Diamond (3 x gold)
Naomi Tillett, Kelly Handley, Peter Ullrich, Max Warwick
Gold Diamond (4 x gold)
Doug Fernie, Simon Davison, Amanda Davison, Lee Harper
Platinum Diamond 5 x gold)
Geoff Taylor, Stephen Thatcher
In 2019, Geoff Taylor (aged 73+) was the only competitor to have competed in all events.[19]
In addition, each year the Denny Hulme Memorial Trophy is awarded to the competitor who exhibits tenacity to overcome adversity while completing the event. It was first awarded in 1993.
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