TARGA TASMANIA: Course announced for 2016 silver anniversary

Targa Tasmania will run for the 25th time in 2016, and the organiser has revealed a course that will truly celebrate the milestone.

Covering over 2000km in total, and with over 500km competitive, the silver anniversary course layout is split over six legs and features a mix of classic Targa stages with some excitingly fresh tarmac routes.

A total of 38 stages will be covered over Targa week, which commences in earnest with Leg One on April 11.

The first leg’s four stages are familiar, highlighted by lunch and a run through George Town on the north coast before competitors overnight in Launceston.

The Silverdome will play host to its traditional fan Expo on this first evening.

Leg Two is seen by many as the start of serious Targa action with its more challenging stage time requirements.

It commences with the famous Sideling stage. It may only be 13.70km in length, but its multiple surfaces and propensity to be slippery make it a super challenge.

Crews continue to the east coast for the usual St Helens lunch stop before winding back to Launceston via the legendary Elephant Pass, although the atmospheric Longford town stage has been dropped from the list for 2016.

From here teams depart for the north on leg three to overnight in Burnie, the industrial town also hosting a ‘Targafest’ public event. But cars have to make it there first; leg three’s eight stages include the mighty 37.10km Cethana and the day concludes with the daunting 35.95km Riana, with lunch taken in the arty Shefflield township.

Three new stages introduce competitors to the north west coast, the 7.5km Montumana easing them into the 11.39km Irishtown, with Edith Creek’s 6.92km to follow before lunch at stunning Stanley.

From there the Leg Four run to the Strahan overnight stop commences with Hellyer Gorge and Rosebery among the more technical stages of the event.

Leg Five follows largely traditional lines, though that’s not to say the route eases. Strahan’s 32.97km climb is sharply followed by the Queenstown ascent and the imposing 51.37km Mt Arrowsmith. After these challenges the run to Hobart may look simpler, but it always seems to catch crews out, even with the promise of lunch at New Norfolk.

The state’s capital will also host its own Targafest that evening.

April 16’s final Targa leg incorporates stages close to Hobart, highlighted by the 14.49km Cygnet. Pelverata – a stalwart stage in the now-defunct Targa Wrest Point – will be used by Targa Tasmania for the first time before the Longley finale.

Targa Australia promises several ‘exciting announcements’ in the event lead-up, as befitting the event’s silver anniversary. motoring.com.au will once again be there and we’ll continue to bring updates as the event approaches.