Region all ready to host two days of Targa Rally excitement

Flash cars are expected to line the streets this weekend as the Targa Rally returns to the Bay as a two-day stand alone event. Photo/ file.

"Exotic" cars and their drivers will be descending on the Bay today as New Zealand's ultimate road race hits town.

For the first time the Targa Rally in Hawke's Bay is taking place over two days with race stages from Napier through to Dannevirke.

The cars will be on display at the Village Green in Havelock North during their overnight parc ferme on Friday and Saturday night.

Event director Peter Martin said they were looking for a region to host a two day event between Targa Rotorua and Targa New Zealand and felt Hawke's Bay was the perfect spot.

"Previously we come at the end of Targa New Zealand in October but we decided to create a stand alone event so competitors and visitors can stay in Hawke's Bay longer than just one or two nights."

Mr Martin said the roads in the Bay were fantastic and they couldn't ask for better for an event like theirs.

The "$20 million travelling roadshow" combines 50 competitive cars and 30 touring cars with everything from Jaguars and Lamborghinis to Ford Mustangs and Holden Commodores.

Tomorrow 10 cars will also join the rally as part of the Rally of Hawke's Bay, which has been organised with the Hawke's Bay Car Club.

At 7.30am drivers will head from the Village Green in Havelock North out to Waimarama, Crownthorpe and Glengarry with two services at Pettigrew Green Arena.

Cars will be parked along Martin Place in Havelock North while the drivers have lunch between 1.20pm and 2pm.

In the afternoon they will head out towards Raukawa, Argyll and Kaokaoroa with a service at Otane.

On Sunday the tour will head towards Tukituki Rd, Elsthorpe, Ormondville and Umutaoroa with a service at Russell Park in Waipukurau and lunch at the Dannevirke A and P Showgrounds between 11.20am and 12.10pm.

Following lunch drivers will head to Pongaroa, Mangatainoka and Ashley Clinton with a service at the Tui Brewery and Dannevirke A and P Showgrounds.

The rally wraps up on Sunday afternoon down Treachers Lane in Havelock North where there will be a celebratory finish.

Mr Martin said the beauty of the event was the number of touch points where people could engage with the drivers and exotic cars.

People are able to watch the cars race along the road or while they are stopped at the service stations.

"We attract such a wide demographic, as we have grandparents turning up with their grandchildren and then passionate motorsport fans."

Despite the primary function of motorsport Mr Martin said it was also critical to provide their customers with a weekend's adventure and Hawke's Bay was perfect for this.

"Everyone enjoys the hospitality with the vineyards, wineries and the retreat activities so it makes for a fun weekend alongside the motor race."

Napier Mayor Bill Dalton said it was fantastic and as he was a "confirmed petrol head" congratulated the event organisers for getting the two-day event to Hawke's Bay.

"The benefit to the economy will be huge and Napier City Council are keen to support bringing events like this to the region."

Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule was also excited for the event and hoped the wild weather would hold off so the cars could do what they do best.

"This is an event that appeals to a lot of people and we warmly welcome it, it should be a good weekend."

Luckily for event-goers the Targa Rally is an all weather event so regardless of weather conditions will continue to run.