Finding the Checkered Flag

This is my favorite photo from the whole trip. Satisfaction, accomplishment and love. What a wonderful experience Targa Newfoundland 2015 was for us. The awards gala was a lovely evening of wrapping up the race, congratulation fellow racers on their great finishes, and honoring the winners and volunteers. The most shocking was seeing everyone in dress clothes. I hardly recognized some not in race suits! 

Dad and I were honored to win first place in Grand Touring Unequipped Class. Many thanks to our fellow Grand Touring competitors for the advice and encouragement along the way. Being our first TSD (time, speed, distance) rally, there was a steep learning curve and thanks to the spirit of teamwork, everyone was helpful with advice and tips. That's what racing is all about! Besides the open roads and beasts of machines, the spirit and camaraderie of these races really is what makes them fun. The Spirit of Tagra (the Spirit of Carrera - they're the same) truly is special. In Newfoundland it's the competitors and service crews, communities that welcome us, the crowds that cheer. That's what keeps us coming back to these events.

The gala was Saturday evening and it was nice to have Saturday day to clean out the car and explore St. John's. The weather was finally in our favor!

The view from atop Signal Hill, overlooking St. John's (to the right). Signal Hill was the site of St. John’s harbor defenses from the 17th century to the Second World War and where Guglielmo Marconi received the world’s first transatlantic wireless signal in 1901. The entrance to the harbor, "The Narrows," is only 200 feet at its most narrow and as shallow as 36 feet deep.

It is a strategic location to protect the town and harbor from marauding pirates and enemy vessels. Cannons welcomed those unexpected visitors. St. John's, and all of Newfoundland, has a storied history including fires, fishing, trade, attacks and icebergs. See brief St. John's history here.

We FINALLY saw some Newfoundland dogs! These two 6 year old sisters were sweeties. This nice man was just on a hike and was kind to let us tourists pose for photos. They are massive! And very fluffy. They have the biggest heads and were very slobbery. Sorry mom, I didn't find a puppy to send home.

Cabot Tower 

Next Dad and I paid a visit to the Basilica Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. It is beautiful.

We took a few minutes to give thanks for our blessings of a safe race.

View from The Rooms Museum, a neat, modern museum housing the province's archives, art galleries, and exhibits on history, culture, food, and wildlife. Looking at the narrows with Cabot tower on the left hill.

Touristed-out, lunch and a refreshement were found at The Duke of Duckworth - an English pub that was recommended to us by our Newfie friends. It did not disappoint! These were the best fish and chips we've ever had. We also ordered a steak and kidney pie because, why not? A rugby game was on and it was fun to watch the locals cheer. We know no ruby rules but had a blast watching.

The gala was a nice time to say goodbye to our friends, old and new. L-R: Robert Gannou (Targa Newfoundland organization), Steve Strupp, Greg and John (all Jack Roger's top-notch crew), and Dad. We shared many laughs with these guys.

My girl, CJ! They don't come any better than this incredible woman. She's a cancer survivor, world class navigator, great friend, AND walked away from a full rollover just 30 hours before the gala. I admire you so much, CJ! xoxo

That's a wrap for our Targa Newfoundland 2015 experience. Another adventure for the record books. Thank you all for your support, cheers and encouragement. Thank you, Rob and Robson Racing Inc for a safe and fast car and for the good tunes. Thank you, Targa Newfoundland, for the hospitality, for infecting us with the Targa Spirit, and for sharing your beautiful "rock." It feels great to be home and my heart is happy and full from the memories made and new friends gained. Most of all, I am thankful for the opportunity to share it with my dad. It's a special bond we share and I appreciate that we can spend 10 days together, in a car, under extreme pressure, and know we could spend 10 more burning up the roads and still be singing "Cheeseburger in Paradise" together after it all (one of the CDs Rob left us in the car was Jimmy Buffett and we had it on repeat). I'm looking forward to the next adventure. As dad says, ‪Giddy Up‬!

In-car video footage to come! 

Day Five and the FINISH

The last day of Targa Newdoundland did not let us sit back and cruise. The first challenge to all competitors, especially for the grand touring navigators, was a change in finish line for the first section and a change of start for the second section. That means we had to recalculate not only the odometer readings in our route books that mark the turns we call, but also made us recalculate the target times we each mark in our own books to keep us in pace (and two sets of these notes based on 2 potential road conditions). I'll take a photo later of the mess in my book to show what I mean. Talk about math under pressure and against the clock. I haven't done this much math since high school! The only saving grace was that everyone in the GT class was in the same boat so we lol racked up some penalties together. 

Our staging area before the second section looked out over this island. Mom, dad found your summer vacation house! Good for water dogs. 

All racers ere happy to see day 5 and still be on the road. 

Some had a more adventurous day:

Our friends Jack (driver) and CJ (navigator) had an unplanned roll before lunch. Thank the Lord for the sturdy and safe car that Steve (CJ's husband, left) built. There was lots of gravel in a corner and the mustang slid into the corner and ditch and rolled, landing back on her feet. As roll cages are supposed to work, CJ and Jack walked away. Sore, but safe. They even drive the car across the finish. Despite the accident, they won their class and placed in their division. 

After crossing the ceremonial finish, our cars were all parked in a park in Brigus. We all celebrated and breathed sighs of relief while awaiting the unofficial awards ceremony. More on racing through Brigus later! A sneak preview description: Dad describes it as driving like you just robbed the bank and are being chased by the cops through back allies. 

Received our finishers medals and Dad's traditional celebratory cigar! 

We are humbled to take top honors in the humble class of UnEquiped Grand Touring. It is an honor to share the stage with these racers. Many thanks to all who helped give us navigational tips and guidance and to Robson Racing of Ottawa for preparing and excellent car! 

It was a luxury to sleep in a little this morning and have more than 5 hours of sleep. The awards gala is tonight and we have to pack up the car today. We also have some time to explore St. John's and sightsee. 

Day 4

The weather cooperated with us today and we had all dey roads and even 5 minutes of sunshine. It was still chilly and windy in some areas but all the racers were happy to have all "Road Condition 1" to race on today. We had some secrions along the rugged coastline and though we don't have time to look at it during the speed sections, when we stop after the finish there is usually time to enjoy the view. 

Tomorrow is the final day of Targa Newfoundland. The days seem blurred together. One more day of fun racing ahead of us then time to celebrate! 

The car again was great today and dad's driving skills excellent. One unique stage in particular today was racing through the historic town of Bonavista. Through town. I really mean, THROUGH NEIGHBORHOODS with turns I couldn't even give a distance to and would even have to point to help dad see the turns. The race organizers are very thorough to put up tape and arrows which helps a lot. It was insane! We ran it twice and took in car footage and I can't wait to see it again. 

As for results so far, we are leading our booming class of 2. We are in Grand Touring UnEquiped. Regardless, we're enjoying the race, the car, and the people immensely. 

Didn't see him. 

Targa Day 3 Complete

Day 3 of Targa Newfoundland 2015 has taught us that the show must go on! Mother Nature dealt us a tough hand today of full house of wind, rain and cold. Despite the elements, the race and cars carried on and most all had a good day. We are very happy with our day. The car ran full turbos ahead and we had fun driving in the rain. I think we only missed one or two of our target times of 9 sections raced. Some were trickier today with changes in speed throughout the sections (in our class we have to pay attention to changes in speed, distance and time and make it to the end point within a narrow window). 

It was a full day of 9 speed sections to the northeast of Clarenville. 

The morning started windy and cold and if the photos are blurry, it's because I couldn't hold the camera still. We continue to be amazed at the beauty around us, despite the harsh weather. When I show photos of the cars lined up like this, we are in queue before the start line. It's the only time to take pictures but we have been taking some in-car video that I'll share when we get home. 

Another of our stops in between sections. No rain but so windy I lost my hat twice. 

Jack Roger's mustang. It's a beast! Jack is a speed maniac (he holds multiple land speed records).  

My dear friend CJ! We were trying not to blow off the rocks into the water. 

The community of Trinity welcomed us for a hearty lunch. Dessert again won for me! They had so many different homemade desserts for us to have - pies, trifles, chocolate cake, things I can't pronounce. I sampled about 5 different options and they were each delicious. How great is their collection of coffee mugs??

Look up "history of Trinity, Newfoundland." It's incredible. 

It's even postcard-perfect on a rainy, windy day. 

On the road again! 

I can't remember the name of this sparse town but after we did our speed stage I stood on the porch of the church to watch the other cars come in.  That is the ass end of a GT 40 about to turn left to the finish where a mustang stuffed himself into the corner. Look at the Canadian flag - a little windy?

We're ober the hump and looking forward to more great racing time tomorrow. The weather forecast is for clearer, warmer weather. If so, I'm looking forward to seeing some blue sky. 

Giddy up!