by Tom Snooks
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Targa Tasmania

About these documents…

Targa Tasmania, introduced in 1992, quickly became the leading car rally in the country and since has spawned numerous tarmac rallies in the various states, all of which have collectively made the rally discipline a major part of the Australian motorsport scene.

The rise and rise of the event didn’t just happen. It was the result of deliberate and thorough planning by its major originator, John Large, supported by a group of enthusiastic contributors. From its rather precarious start, the many dynamics involved with the event were gradually evolved and improved from year to year such that it reached the highest level of organisation and competition in 2000 (The Millennium Year). Targa Tasmania has since maintained its status of “The Ultimate Tarmac Rally”.

As a seriously competitive motor sport event, it appealed to owners of cars spanning many years of automotive development. But it was much more than just a competitive car rally for keen motoring enthusiasts and their supporters – it provided a high level of camaraderie and social interaction as well.

The documents presented here contain the story of the development of Targa Tasmania from 1992 to 2003, set out as a comprehensively written Overview and followed by a summary of each year’s activities and results.

These have been prepared by Tom Snooks, who was the Clerk of the Course for the event from 1994 to 2003.

 

THE PASSION OF TARGA FLORIO, SICILY – AND TARGA TASMANIA

An Italia 35 competing in Targa Florio in 1907
An Italia 35/40HP in action in Targa Florio in 1907

Author’s acknowledgements

Acknowledgement of the major references I used to research the information from which I have taken direct quotes, and photographs, are:

  • Targa Tasmania – “The Ultimate Tarmac Rally – 1992 to 2001 The First 10 Years” produced by Octagon Motorsports edited by Michael Browning;
  • “The Legend” published by Media Productions Pty Ltd, covering the 1992 to 1995 events.
  • “Targa Tasmania 1992-1993”, Clipper Press, Hobart;
  • Targa Tasmania Official Programs, 1992 to 2003;
  • Internal event documents from 1993 to 2003 that I have in my possession.

I take full responsibility for the information listed and I apologise for any errors made by me. I will be most pleased to hear from anyone seeking to correct any issue.

Tom Snooks
1 November 2020

An Overview 1992 to 2003 Targa Tasmania

28 sections
65 pages

1992 Targa Tasmania

29 April to 3 May, 1992
17 pages

1993 Targa Tasmania

28 April to 2 May, 1992
20 pages

1994 Targa Tasmania

29 April to 1 May, 1994
18 pages

1995 Targa Tasmania

26 – 30 April 1995
18 pages

1996 Targa Tasmania number plate

1996 Targa Tasmania

16 – 21 April 1996
17 pages

1997 Targa Tasmania

15 – 20 April 1997
15 pages

1998 Targa Tasmania

28 April – 3 May 1998
19 pages

1999 Targa Tasmania

27 April – 2 May 1999
17 pages

2000 Targa Tasmania

8 – 14 May 2000
17 pages

2001 Targa Tasmania

18 – 24 April 2001
21 pages

2002 Targa Tasmania

16 – 21 April 2002
16 pages

2003 Targa Tasmania

16 – 21 April 2003
16 pages

Competitor Quotes

6 pages