The Canadian Racing Season Begins February 8, 9 & 10, 2013 at Toronto’s International Centre

TORONTO -  Annually since 2002, the residents of eastern and central Newfoundland have hosted and witnessed the Targa Newfoundland, a week-long, 2,000-kilometre road race that winds its way through 72 communities and the open roads of Canada’s ruggedly beautiful ocean province.

Robert Giannou, President of Targa Newfoundland, will be on hand at the Canadian Motorsports Expo Powered by Inside Track Motorsports News on February 8, 9 and 10 at Toronto’s International Centre and will offer motorsports enthusiasts a personal and behind the scenes look at the world class event that is Targa Newfoundland.

“The Canadian Motorsports Expo is where we will kick off our season,” explains Giannou. “The people who tire kick at the Expo are our type of people; they’re racing people. We can use the CME to expose the fans to our event, describe what we have to offer, and introduce them to our newest class, the ‘Fast Tour’ division.”

There are three distinct categories running in the Targa Newfoundland, with the Targa class, incorporating the Classic, Modern and Open divisions, joined by Grand Touring, a full-on, rallying class. The Fast Tour class is not a competition, but a high speed, cross- country cruise for the owners of exotic vehicles.

The first, and only, event of its kind in the northern hemisphere (the only other Targas take place in Tasmania and New Zealand), the Targa Newfoundland draws competitors from across Canada and the United States and from as far away as Australia, Germany and the Caribbean.

Playing out in front of 150,000 enthusiastic spectators, this cross-country event is run over five days in 43 stages, beginning and ending in St. John’s, with overnight stops in Gander, Clarenville, and Marystown.

There is no prize money in Targa Newfoundland. The drivers, ranging from full professionals to weekend warriors, race strictly for bragging rights and personal fulfillment. Over the past 11 years such notables as past Canadian champion Eppie Wietzes, journalist Jim Kenzie, television personalities Dennis Gage and the Trailer Park Boys, as well as the Soldier-On Team for disabled veterans, have taken part in the event.

Described by racer Doug Mepham as the “most ethereal racing experience you can have,” the Targa Newfoundland continues to draw rave reviews from not only the competitors, but also from the avid throngs of spectators.

“This race is about people fulfilling their dreams. It’s about real cars on real roads. Historically, this is what road racing is really all about,” concludes Giannou.