Press release
Source:Targa Newfoundland
ST. JOHN’S – Two experienced hands, a returning sophomore, a highly anticipated U.S. entry and a smart new name will fill out the roster of auto manufacturers converging on Targa Newfoundland 2009 in search of one of Canadian motorsports most elusive titles.
No fewer than five automakers have registered for this year’s grueling five-day challenge. And while no manufacturer-supported entry has ever won the overall Targa competition, Division, Class and Category wins aplenty show that international car-makers are just a whisker away from capturing the ultimate prize. And to keep the competitive juices flowing, the SIRIUS Satellite Radio President’s Cup intramural competition for manufacturers is also up for grabs.
Long-time Targa supporters and competitors Subaru Canada Inc. and BMW Group Canada’s MINI division will both return with high-powered entries backed by experienced crews hungry for success.
For the seventh year in a row, a factory MINI Cooper S will take the ceremonial start on the St. John’s waterfront on Sunday, September 13. And while the brilliant red MINI Cooper looks nearly identical to the popular car that twice won the prestigious Open Division and has been a Targa stalwart since 2004, this is an entirely new car. Targa Newfoundland co-founder, auto journalist and seven-time Targa veteran Jim Kenzie of Milton, Ontario, will debut a new 2009 MINI John Cooper Works Challenge car in this year’s event with regular co-driver Brian Bourbonniere of Halifax calling the signals as co-driver.
The new car was purpose-built to take part in the John Cooper Works Challenge road racing series for identically prepared cars in Europe and been adapted to rally competition for Targa’s grueling Open Division. A second factory MINI Cooper S Clubman entry, driven by Tom Thornton and Ron Bartleet of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, will compete in Grand Touring under the banner of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada.
Subaru, the other seven-year Targa supporter, returns with a familiar car and a new team behind the wheel. A highly evolved Subaru Impreza WRX STI will be entered in the Modern Division of the Targa competition, with automotive journalist Marc Lachapelle of Montreal behind the wheel and Keith Townsend of Toronto in the co-driver’s seat. Among the most popular cars in all of Targa, the blazing blue Subaru has been optimized for Newfoundland’s paved roads and boasts an improved powertrain for 2009. Lachapelle will make his third Targa start after moving over from last year’s class-wining hybrid entry, while Townsend makes his first Targa appearance as co-driver after two very successful years as a driver – in a Subaru, of course.
Source:Targa Newfoundland
ST. JOHN’S – Two experienced hands, a returning sophomore, a highly anticipated U.S. entry and a smart new name will fill out the roster of auto manufacturers converging on Targa Newfoundland 2009 in search of one of Canadian motorsports most elusive titles.
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| MINI Cooper S Clubman |
No fewer than five automakers have registered for this year’s grueling five-day challenge. And while no manufacturer-supported entry has ever won the overall Targa competition, Division, Class and Category wins aplenty show that international car-makers are just a whisker away from capturing the ultimate prize. And to keep the competitive juices flowing, the SIRIUS Satellite Radio President’s Cup intramural competition for manufacturers is also up for grabs.
Long-time Targa supporters and competitors Subaru Canada Inc. and BMW Group Canada’s MINI division will both return with high-powered entries backed by experienced crews hungry for success.
For the seventh year in a row, a factory MINI Cooper S will take the ceremonial start on the St. John’s waterfront on Sunday, September 13. And while the brilliant red MINI Cooper looks nearly identical to the popular car that twice won the prestigious Open Division and has been a Targa stalwart since 2004, this is an entirely new car. Targa Newfoundland co-founder, auto journalist and seven-time Targa veteran Jim Kenzie of Milton, Ontario, will debut a new 2009 MINI John Cooper Works Challenge car in this year’s event with regular co-driver Brian Bourbonniere of Halifax calling the signals as co-driver.
The new car was purpose-built to take part in the John Cooper Works Challenge road racing series for identically prepared cars in Europe and been adapted to rally competition for Targa’s grueling Open Division. A second factory MINI Cooper S Clubman entry, driven by Tom Thornton and Ron Bartleet of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, will compete in Grand Touring under the banner of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada.
Subaru, the other seven-year Targa supporter, returns with a familiar car and a new team behind the wheel. A highly evolved Subaru Impreza WRX STI will be entered in the Modern Division of the Targa competition, with automotive journalist Marc Lachapelle of Montreal behind the wheel and Keith Townsend of Toronto in the co-driver’s seat. Among the most popular cars in all of Targa, the blazing blue Subaru has been optimized for Newfoundland’s paved roads and boasts an improved powertrain for 2009. Lachapelle will make his third Targa start after moving over from last year’s class-wining hybrid entry, while Townsend makes his first Targa appearance as co-driver after two very successful years as a driver – in a Subaru, of course.
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| Subaru Impreza WRX STI |