Targa Rotorua 09 Newsletter 18 April 09

18 April 2009 Newsletter

Hello again, well it is time to update you all on the latest happenings at Targa NZ. The countdown is on to the release of our new website due to go live on Wednesday 22nd April. This has consumed a lot of time and money over the last few months and it will be a welcome change from the current out of date site. This will complete the numerous changes and investment we have made to our operating systems over the last twelve months. All of these changes have been designed to make life easier for everyone from competitors and volunteers, through to the full time staff. Against the current trends in the market we have added a new part time member to the Targa NZ staff. Most of you will have heard us mention Gina Fabrello, our Timing Manager, we are proud to announce that Gina has joined our team.

HANS Devises
We have just received the units donated by Gavin Riches, for use by Targa Competitors, and finalised his intentions as to how to allocate them. We have also negotiated a special Targa NZ buy price directly from RaceTech NZ for anyone who competes in a Targa NZ event. It is Gavin's intention to get everyone to use some form of HANS when competing in a Targa NZ event and not let price become the obstacle. This is a position that we support and while it is currently HIGHLY RECOMENDED in our regulations, it is our intention to make this compulsory by 2011. So what we have agreed on, is a lease to own arrangement, that will allow you to have the safety now and pay for it over a period of time. The lease price is $320 + GST per event and at the completion of four events you will own the unit. That equals $1280 + GST, which is the RaceTech special price to Targa NZ competitors. This will ultimately mean that we will always have a supply of units for the one off competitor to use once the HANS become compulsory. Full terms and conditions will be on the new website.

Targa Rotorua
The supplementary regulations for Targa Rotorua are with Motorsport NZ for their approval and we are expecting them back early next week. As soon as we have them we will get them up on the new website. There have been some changes to reflect the new categories and running order along with other minor changes so please MAKE SURE YOU READ THEM. A big effort has gone into them from all the Targa NZ staff to make them clearer to read and understand so there should no longer be excuses for lack of understanding. Discount entries are still available until the end of the month. Entries are flowing in, with 75 entered to date, 334km of special stages and 580km of touring, need we say anymore. Get your entry in we can cater for a few more yet.

Accommodation
We have arranged a group discount rate for the Novotel and Ibis hotels, as listed below, just mention you are part of Targa on making your bookings.

Hotel Ibis Rotorua
Arrive: Friday 12 June 2009
Depart: Monday 15 June 2009
Rate: $110.00 incl GST per room per night

Novotel Rotorua Lakeside
Arrive: Friday 12 June 2009
Depart: Monday 15 June 2009
Rate: $155.00 including GST per room per night

Co-Drivers
We have had a couple of enquiries, from co-drivers who would love to compete in Targa. One is from Joanne Kapua who is based in Mt Maunganui and is contactable on 07 5729651 or joanne.kapua@tenix.com. The other is from Naomi Tillett who is based in Australia and is contactable on 0061 47849785 or nmtlltt@aol.com. So if you are looking for a co-driver for Targa Rotorua then please contact them directly.


15th Anniversary Dunlop Targa
We have completed the itinerary and it is loaded on the new website so make sure you have a look. We are in negotiations with some big names to come have a go at trying to master the longest and toughest tarmac endurance race ever. Not since the tenth anniversary has Dunlop Targa competed over more than 930km of closed road special stages and more than 1800km of touring.
There are no closed tarmac stage events in Australia or New Zealand that gives you the amount of stage kilometres that the Dunlop Targa NZ does with a 2 to 1 ratio of touring to competition stages in fact we are pretty sure there are none in the world! THINK ABOUT IT. Are you up for the challenge? Get your application in early and take advantage of the payment plan to ease your cash flow and become part of this history making event.

BMW M3 Lease Vehicles
We have received a lot of overseas interest from people wanting to come to New Zealand and compete in the Dunlop Targa event. This has created an opportunity for us to build suitable vehicles that can be used as a turn key lease package. In discussions with several people we have agreed on BMW E36 M3's and we have almost completed the first prototype. If you are wanting to lease a vehicle for a Targa NZ event then please call me to discuss the details. They will also be available to lease for other events when not being used for Targa.

That's enough from me on a Saturday.
Regards
Peter and the Targa Team.

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