Australian Targa Championship ready to take on the High Country
The newest tarmac rally in Australia is called Targa High Country, and will take 225 competitors across 849km of Victoria's picturesque alpine regionAustralia's newest tarmac rally, Targa High Country and its capacity field are set to descend on Mt Buller, Victoria this November bringing with it a significant boost to the local area.
The country's top tarmac rally drivers will compete in the inaugural Australian Targa Championship, kicking off with a spectator stage around the streets of nearby Mansfield on the Friday before the event.
The 225 strong field includes such names as motor racing legend and Targa Tasmania champion, Jim Richards, driving a Porsche and fellow Targa Tasmania winners Steve Glenney (Mazda RX8), Tony Quinn (Nissan GTR) and Greg Garwood (Porsche).
2010 Targa Tasmania champion, Jason White, is also expected to enter the event in his stunning Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera, while the popular Classic section will be headed by pre-event favourite Rex Broadbent in a Porsche 911.
"Targa High Country has become a reality because of the passion and hard work of the Mansfield Shire Council, Mt Buller and Mt Stirling Alpine Resort Management Board, the Rural City of Wangaratta, the Murrindindi Shire Council and the Victorian Police," said organiser, Octagon Australia's Mark Perry.
"It has long been thought that a multi-stage tarmac rally was not possible in Victoria, however thanks to the tremendous support we have received, it has become a reality."
As well as the street stage, Mansfield will host a display of the competition cars in the town's main street.
Targa High Country consists of eight competitive stages each day heading north to Wangaratta via Whitfield on the Saturday and to Eildon via Jamieson on Sunday. Each will end with a 20 kilometre stage to the summit of Mt Buller.
The total event distance is 849 kilometres, with 200 competitive kilometres across 17 stages.
"Securing the Targa High Country event is a significant achievement for the Mansfield-Mt Buller region. This event will help drive summer visitation throughout the area and provide a boost to businesses through local and international tourism", said Mt Buller and Mt Stirling Alpine Resort Management Board CEO, John Huber.
"We look forward to the event becoming a major tourist attraction for the High Country and providing excellent opportunities to showcase all that the Mansfield-Mt Buller region has to offer."
The Australian Targa Championship comprises of three events, beginning with Targa High Country. The Hobart-based Targa Wrest point follows at the end of January, before the week-long Targa Tasmania concludes the championship in April.
For more information on Targa High Country, visit TargaHighCountry.com.au.
Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at the carsales mobile site
Tags
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
