Targa motor rally targets Hawke's Bay

Targa NZ winners for a third consecutive year are Glenn Inkster (L) and Spencer Winn led a procession of high net-worth motoring enthusiasts to Hawke's Bay. Photo: Fast Company/ProShotz.

Targa NZ is looking to base a rally in Hawke's Bay after another successful Hawke's Bay leg of the four-day/1602-kilometre road race, giving the region a multi-million dollar boost.

Event director Peter Martin said an economic impact report showed the rally created almost $1 million per day for areas where it was based.

He said the event both satisfied racing ''junkies" and boosted areas hosting it.

"We give back to the community through local marshal groups, meal lunch providers, accommodation providers, service and parts and compulsory car washes at the end of each stage," Mr Martin said.

There was a travelling entourage of nearly 3000 people following the race, which spent two nights in Hawke's Bay recently because the rally used the former Nimon bus site and adjoining fire service paddock in Havelock North as a staging area.

An awards ceremony was held at the Hawke's Bay Opera House.

With persuading businesses to re-locate to Hawke's Bay a regional economic development strategy, the event provides an opportunity to showcase the region to many business owners.

The typical participant is a business owner in his mid- to late-50s.

Originally created as an event for owners of classic performance cars to display and race their vehicles, it evolved into a competition with purpose-built race cars usually taking top honours.

However, classic and luxury cars still feature, some costing as much as the average Hawke's Bay house.

Competitors earn points in each race leg, to arrive at a series champion for the two- to five-day events.

The races are held up to three times annually, usually a few hours drive from Auckland.

There are four classes, one non-competitive and three competitive: Classic, modern and four-wheel drive.

The four-wheel-drive competition came into its own on when it rained, Mr Martin said. "We are the only event in the world that has a maximum speed limit of 200km/h.

The non-competitive class is limited to 160km/h if the driver is wearing a helmet.

"There is a group of vehicles of the tour that can elect not to wear helmets but their speed is further reduced to 130 km/h.

There are 20,000 visits to properties annually on roads to be closed for rallies.

The recent rally was Targa's 50th and an "awesome" time was had in Hawke's Bay.

"Hawke's Bay is a wonderful place for us to visit, awesome, so much so we want to plan a rally around here."

Hastings District may have to fight to keep Targa based in Havelock North.

As well as Napier MP Stuart Nash and Tukituki MP Craig Foss, rally goodwill ambassador Ray Williams took Napier City Council CEO Wayne Jack for a spin on a stage.

Mr Williams said Mr Jack was enthusiastic for the event.