When stories began swirling around about the Dodge Challenger Drag Pak model aimed at hard core drag racers, The Garage wondered how long it would be until we see a road racing version to take on the variety of competition Mustangs Ford has on offer. Today Chrysler announced that design guru Ralph Gilles will tackle the 2008 Targa Newfoundland rally in a Snake Skin Green 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8.
With a Drag Pak car being used as a base, could this be the precursor to a competition model that turns as well as it goes?
Regular readers are familiar with tarmac rallies through the writings of Gary Faules who has taken us to La Carrera Panamericana and back. Targa Newfoundland is our Canadian version, which pits competitors from around the world against each other and some of Newfoundland’s most challenging roads. There are classes for classics and modern equipment, along with overall wins and even a navigational class for those who don’t wish to compete in full attack mode.
This will be Gilles’ 3rd visit to The Rock, where he has DNF’d due to leaving the tarmac and a class win last year in the Dodge Caliber SRT4.
Regular readers of The Garage have seen the work of Canadian rally photographer before, as we’ve showcased it on occasion. Now, leading up to Christmas, you can have your very own collection of Andrew’s images on the wall in your garage, office, bedroom. This is Harvey’s 3rd annual 14 month calendar, showcasing some incredible shots of the world’s best.
Direct your loved ones to the box at the top right of your screen, or click through to Andrew’s home page.
Funny thing about the differences between some rally events. Here in Canada, we are very proud of our Targa Newfoundland and teams come from all over the world to race around The Rock. South of 2 borders, the Mexicans are equally proud of their La Carrera Pananmerica. A quick glance around the Gootoobz yesterday produced very little of quality Targa content. La Carrera however is a totally different beast. Almost daily we are seeing new videos, many of which are really good quality. I’m thinking that we need more film crews in Newfoundland next year, but for now let’s see the latest cool La Carrera video.
As we’ve pointed out many times here in The Garage (maybe too many) the car hobby is about more than just cars. It’s about people. We’ve had some incredibly cool people hanging out in The Garage, and maybe the coolest thing is when those people inspire each other. Last week, one of our creative friends, Warwick Patterson from Formula Photographic, Flat Over Crest, MTB Films and God knows what else launched yet another blog.
Inspired by watching Gary Faules chronical the build of Lucky, the GT-350 clone on their way to La Carrera Panamerica, Warwick and friends have decided to launch their own rally timeline blog. With the 2007 running of Targa Newfoundland only just in the record books, Warwick and partner in crime Dave Hord have announced their intention to enter the 2008 Targa. The cool thing here is that we’re going to watch a pair of talented, money strapped young guys from start to finish. That includes sponsor hunting, car choice & build right on up to the actual event. Somehow I suspect that we’ll be treated to some pretty incredible photography and maybe a video or two along the way.
Be sure to bookmark Road to Targa Newfoundland. If we’re lucky, Warwick will shoot the odd tidbit towards The Garage too!
As our Gary Faules gets ready for La Carrera Panamerica in a few weeks, the Andrew Harvey and Warwick Patterson from Flat Over Crest are on the rock following the other big North American vintage road rally. That’s right, Targa Newfoundland is in full swing and the FOC crew will be keeping us up to date with daily images. I’ll bet Warwick may even throw in a video here and there. Nudge, Nudge!
There are few names in the history of Canadian motorsports that go back as far as Castrol, the oil company that has been involved with Canadian racing since the beginning. When the first Targa Newfoundland was run in 2003, Castrol was one of the main sponsors of the event. That year, Judd Buchannan finished 3rd overall in his super fast, super unique 1967 Acadian Canso. The following years have seen Targa finishes ranging from 4th to 2nd overall, but the top spot has escaped Buchannan.
For 2007, Buchannan has been joined by Castrol and is planning an all out assault on The Rock’s twisty tarmac roads. It sounds like this is going to be a win at almost all cost attempt.
Jim Kenzie has come a long way from the day he rolled an original Mini in corner 9 at Mosport during his first race. For the third year in a row, he has piloted a JCW MINI to a victory at Targa Newfoundland in the Open class. If they keep this up, Kenzie is going to get a Schumi complex!
Remember those shots we had of Jim Kenzie’s Mini a while back? Well, Warwick Patterson has posted his first batch of pics from Targa Newfoundland and has included some spectacular shots of the car, not to mention the rest of the event.
