Its been a while, but I’ve finally gotten to sit down and watch the full 2008 Targa Newfoundland teaser compilation that Warwick Patterson and the rest of the crew at Flat Over Crest have put together. What more can I say except it is absolutely awesome!

While the FOC video completely captures the excitement, speed, camaraderie, danger and everything else that makes up this incredible event, there are a two things I have to comment on. First off, who the hell races an open top car like an E-type Jaguar, yet chooses not to install a roll bar? If you need helmets, you need rollover protection. Rules?
Secondly, what the hell was the guy in the Evo thinking when he backed up at speed in front of the Sprongl Quattro? Good way to end up munched!

Oh yes, don’t forget to watch for some candid ACP and Jen Horsey! Yes, the camera was rolling and yes he did use it!

Check out the stunning beauty of Targa Newfoundland after the break.
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This is the second guest post in a series by Warwick Patterson from flatovercrest.com who is in Newfoundland covering the 2008 Targa event.

End of Leg 1

As the rest of the world clocked into work on Monday morning, Targa Newfoundland competitors punched a different sort of time clock. With the sun rising above the rocky, rugged landscape, teams convoyed out to Argentia and Placentia for the first true competitive stages (Leg 1-Stage 1).

There are a lot of serious race teams here this week, and they all came prepared to go fast right from the word go. Sixteen teams cleared today’s stages with zero penalty points, and another 11 teams are within just a few seconds. The final stage through Eastport was the toughest test today, showing drivers how hard they will have to push in the days ahead.
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Over the next few days, we’re very lucky to have a few guest posts by Warwick Patterson from flatovercrest.com who is down on The Rock covering the 2008 running of Targa Newfoundland. Warwick is providing some incredible shots for our readers and even more over at FOC.

Day 1

The 2008 edition of the Targa Newfoundland rally takes to the roads east of St. John’s on Sunday for the Prologue stages. Teams will have three stages to practice their timing, settle into a rhythm, and find any last-minute faults in their car. While the prologue stages do not count towards the final results of the rally, the organizers use the times to create a start order.

With a large number of manufacturer entries, and a healthy collection of classic and unique cars, Targa 2008 is set to be an exciting event. Mitsubishi has a two-car team, led by Andrew Comrie-Picard and co-driver Jen Horsey in an Evolution X. Mark Hacking and John Leblanc are competing in a pre-production Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart - a direct competitor to the WRX, due out in 2009. ACP Rally had a frantic month prior to Targa, building both new cars in a span of six weeks, and rebuilding the Evo 9 after their X Games flip.
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One our quest to find a BMW 1 Series, the boys and I headed over to BMW Canada of Sunday afternoon. We didn’t find a 1, but Jim Kenzie’s steed for Targa Newfoundland was sitting outside the shop door. This Cooper S is pretty typical for a tarmac rally car, with lots of John Cooper Works add ons, along with all the usual safety upgrades. Oddly enough, it was the first time the either of the boys have ever noticed a removable steering wheel.

Targa Newfoundland is a tarmac rally that attracts teams from around the world, bringing both modern and vintage rally cars to the incredible roads around Newfoundland. Canadian automotive writer Jim Kenzie and his Mini have become fixtures at this annual event.

More Mini pics after the break

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