TARGA NZ COMING TO AUSTRALIA
Targa NZ is heading down under to reveal how it is offering a bridge across the Tasman for Australian competitors to get their rallying fix.
With no Targa Australia events on the calendar for the foreseeable future, Targa NZ is holding information sessions in Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane later this month.
At each venue, Targa NZ Company Director Peter Martin, plus guest speakers will discuss the 2024 and 2025 event calendar and outline how the starved Australians can get to be a part of it.
Separate Competition, Tour and Time Trial products are on offer that include entry free, shipping, whilst car lease and accommodation options are available.
The sessions will be held at Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane on consecutive days from July 29-August 1 from 17.30 local time.
Targa Australia and New Zealand already have a strong connection with Martin and Mark Perry in regular dialogue, whilst 11 Australians headed across the Tasman for events last year.
With no Targa events one the radar in Australia, Targa NZ is hoping some of their Aussie counterparts will be interested in competing in Aotearoa.
So Martin is going to lead a session in each city to generate some interest, with the hope it will keep the starved competitors in the sport.
“Whilst the ideologically and willingness to continue to run their Targa brands in Australia are there, the reality is they are unlikely to get answers and decisions for some time,” Martin explained to AUTO ACTION.
“We are very mindful that if we don’t keep the customers engaged, they tend to be people who have other life experience opportunities and they could sell their cars and we have lost them for good.
“There is a vacancy in the market at the moment. We are not trying to steal the customers away permanently. What we are trying to do is keep them engaged.”
Martin said many Australians have enjoyed their time at Targa NZ events and the packages that will be offered have been tailored from the lessons of those past experiences.
“We had 11 Targa Australia customers come over last year, so we have an understanding of where the logistical issues are and have tried to eliminate those,” he said.
“We have come up with an entry fee that includes return shipping and we will sort the exchange risk and transportation out.
We are here to see if they need any other requirements like local service centres or their own guys for cars needing maintenance or just need tyres and fuel.
“All of those questions are to be answered face to face, which is easier for everyone.
“If you talk to all our Australian customers over recent times they will tell you how engaging we are as a nation and go above and beyond to keep you in the event.
“That is the ethos I want to show is that we are here to help people.”
This year’s remaining Targa NZ events are the Four Day Targa Otorohanga on October 24–28 and the NZ Silver Fern Rally November 23–29.
With big plans for the 30th anniversary next year, Martin hopes the Australians can compete in one of the remaining 2024 events to gain experience before 2025 and of course take in the stunning sights of NZ.
“What we have heard back from the Aussies is that they want to have a crack at our 30th anniversary but need to have done an event first to get a feel for the roads because they are slightly different,” he said.
“Our product is very similar to Targa Tasmania in terms of the concept of racing on closed tarmac roads.
“The format we have put together gives people time to soak in everything. We have an hour-long stop everyday to just reminisce on the morning stages like going down through that gully and up the bridge and over the mountain.
“Where we are touring will be just as pretty as the stages.”
Image: Steve Ritchie Photography
Targa NZ session Locations and times below
Adelaide – Monday 29th July
Location: Hotel Arkaba – Corner Lounge Bar
150 Glen Osmond Rd
Fullarton
Time: 5.30pm onwards
Guest Speakers: Craig Heysman & Mike Lowe
Melbourne – Tuesday 30th July
Location: Novotel Collins Street – Lane Bar & Restaurant
270 Collins Street
Melbourne
Time: 5.30pm onwards
Guest Speakers: Xavier Franklin & Jaidyn Gluskie
Sydney – Wednesday 31st July
Location: Sydney Brewery Surry Hills Bar – ( Attached to Rydge’s Hotel Sydney Central )
28 Albion Street (Opposite Central Train Station)
Time: 5.30pm onwards
Guest Speaker: Angus Kennard
Brisbane – Thursday 1st August
Location: Hotel Grand Chancellor – Courtyard Bar, Level 1
23 Leichardt Street
Spring Hill
Time: 5.30pm onwards
Guest Speaker: Tony Quinn
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