TARGA: Targa launches experience tours
Racing remains at the heart of iconic Tassie event but you don’t need a competition licence and rollcage to live the TARGAlife
Racing will remain the core of Targa Tasmania but non-competitive categories will play a larger role going forward.
That’s the word from Targa chief executive Mark Perry, who said: “I can reassure the competitor base that looking into the crystal ball, motorsport will remain at the heart of the Targa DNA.
“That is not going to change ... But what you will see is the continued growth of the speed-limited categories, like GT Sports, plus those just wanting a Targa experience in the Tour categories.
“This is already happening. In 2022 we will have nearly 300 cars in the Tour, which is great for the event and great for the economic impact that comes with it,” Perry stated.
Although Targa Tasmania’s reputation has been forged by competition, in recent years the field has welcomed a substantial number of non-competitive ‘tour’ entrants.
With companies like Porsche and Lotus hosting large owner groups, the demand has outstripped supply. So much so, the events are often sold out, months in advance.
The owner of Targa Tasmania and other high-profile tarmac rallies, Dutton Group, has responded with the launch of a range of additional events that allow all driving enthusiasts to experience the excitement of closed road driving without the pressure of competition.
Dubbed TARGAlife, the new holiday concept kicks off later this year with two multi-day driving experiences in tropical Queensland.
Two TARGAlife events will be run on closed roads around Cairns in October, with a further two driving holidays available for performance enthusiasts in Tasmania early in 2023.
Dutton Group is advertising the events under the catchcry ‘Destination, Driving, Dining...’ As such, the self-drive events trumpet access to closed road driving, luxury accommodation and gourmet dining.
The cost for the three-day, four-night events starts from $7690 per car (two people) including accommodation and all meals. Longer events are also planned.
Targa organisers believe TARGAlife will play a significant part in both promoting and shaping its events going forward.
“Ever since the arrival of the Porsche Targa Tour in 2010, we have watched the growth of this segment to the point that our traditional Targa tours now make up over half of all vehicles taking part in our Targa motorsport events,” said Perry.
“Dutton Group’s large reach in the exclusive motor vehicle market has shown to us that the Targa brand needs to continue to evolve beyond motorsport into a true motoring experience.
“While motorsport will always remain a key part of our DNA, this expansion is very exciting for all lovers of driving holidays,” he said.
Unlike the Tour category of the Targa Tasmania, Targa High Country and Targa Great Barrier Reef, TARGAlife sidesteps early starts, regimented time schedules and long ‘transport’ stages associated with tarmac rallying competition.
Perry said the TARGAlife events will see and visit more of each destination, including exclusive journeys outside of the vehicle.
The events will, however, retain closed public road ‘stages’, which according to the company’s advertising provides “the ultimate thrill of having both sides of the road to drive on, and thus delivering the safest place to enjoy the true potential of the world’s greatest cars”.
Related: Denyer confirmed for Duttons-backed Targa tilt
Related: Tasmania gears up for biggest Targa ever
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