Category: Event

Leg Five – Sept 16

Day 5: Staying Alive At 5:45 AM this morning, I sprang to my feet and looked out the window, face pressed to the glass like a child on Christmas morning, only to see curtains of driving rain blowing in the wind. It came as no surprise to anybody involved with the Targa Newfoundland rally, however, that Hurricane Maria would be… Read more →

Leg One – Sept 12

Day One: Done The first day of the rally was one of extremes. Full of excitement for some and disappointment for others, it’s now crystal clear why the Targa Newfoundland is considered the most difficult and gruelling motorsports event in the country. Arriving at the Re/Max Centre before 7 AM, I was interviewed by Leigh Anne Power, host of the… Read more →

Prologue – Sept 11

Prologue Day The Prologue is an official, unofficial day of racing that gives teams old and new a chance to practice before the official start of the 2011 Targa Newfoundland. Following the mandatory breathalyzer test (we’ll do this every day) the morning began with an all-hands meeting for drivers and co-drivers where organizers discuss regulations, safety procedures, courses notes, changes… Read more →

Registration – Sept 10

Registration Day This morning was an early one; and the final one this week that I’ll leave the hotel in civilian clothing. The three prologue stages begin tomorrow and that means racing suit, Hans device and Peltor helmet. Today was registration day for the 71 teams entered in the 10th anniversary Targa Newfoundland. For this, we all headed to the… Read more →

Bell Island – Sept 9

Time to get real Today was the second and final day of Targa School for Jacques Deshaises and I. For this, we awoke early and drove to Portugal Cove to catch the ferry over to Bell Island in the middle of Conception Bay. Whereas yesterday focused on navigation and getting acquainted with each other in the car, today we drove… Read more →

School is in – Sept 8

(Targa) School is in Flying into St. John’s last night, it was clear why they call this place “The Rock.” The rugged, rocky terrain is broken up (linked together) by massive forests, thousands of tiny lakes and rivers flowing toward the jagged north Atlantic coast line. The postcard towns and tiny fishing villages appear as brightly-shining pearls under a setting… Read more →

Porsche Sport Driving School – USA

I was in Birmingham, Alabama last week to attend the Porsche Sport Driving School – USA at George Barber’s Barber Motorsport Park (no relation to Skip Barber). My schooling starts with a lead follow lapping session in a Carrera S 6MT with myself trying to stay with Hurley Haywood, a six-time 24 Hours of Daytona champion. After a half-dozen or… Read more →

Testing Pirellis greenest tires

Yesterday I went to a Pirelli Ride and Drive where I drove on Pirelli’s newest “Green” tire – Scorpion Verde All-Season – back-to-back against the Michelin Latitude H/T A/S in identically-prepped BMW X5 35d xDrive diesels. Conveniently, there was a handling course set up for us – consisting of a quick four-cone slalom leading into a sweeping right-hander with rumble… Read more →