Now that we’ve run One Lap of America, the next motorsport event on our bucket list is the Targa Newfoundland. Essentially a series of stage races on closed public roads in Newfoundland, Canada, the race is renown for its challenging drives, spectacular scenery and warm hospitality. In fact, the only thing preventing us from running it in 2013 is our appalling lack of budget.
Until we hit the lottery, you’ll have to make do with this video of pro-drifter turned rally driver Samuel Hubinette, running the Targa Newfoundland with co-driver Jen Horsey in a Fiat 500 Abarth. According to Brandt Rosenbusch, Abarth Racing Team manager, the 500 Abarth entered was prepped for competition by gutting the interior, adding a roll cage, bolting in racing seats and harnesses, then adding a coilover suspension. While the car likely wasn’t the fastest in its category, we’re sure it was competitive.
The basic race is five days and covers some 2,200 kilometers (1,367 miles), but just getting to Newfoundland takes a serious amount of driving (or flying, if you’ve got the budget to have your race car hauled there). It’s run regardless of weather, which happened to include a hurricane during this year’s race; in other words, competitors really do need to be prepared for any eventuality.
It looks like Fiat is producing several videos from its experience at the 2012 Targa Newfoundland, so we’ll bring you the others as soon as Fiat puts them up.
Kurt Ernst has been passionate about automobiles and driving nearly his entire life. His early years were shaped working in the family service station, though his real passion was auto racing. After graduating from the University of Colorado, Kurt spent a year club racing with the Sports Car Club of America, before focusing on a business career in marketing and project management. Later, his passion for writing and the automotive hobby found him freelancing for a variety of automotive news sites, including Automotive Addicts and Motor Authority, where his work was syndicated and appeared in several national publications. Recognized as an expert in the automotive field, Kurt joined Hemmings Motor News as an Associate Editor in 2013, and in the years since has progressed to Editor, Hemmings Daily; Managing Editor for Hemmings Motor News, Hemmings Classic Car, Hemmings Muscle Machines, and the Hemmings Daily; and now, Managing Editor, Hemmings Auctions. Kurt was instrumental in organizing the Hemmings Motor News Concours d’Elegance from 2013-2019, and has served as a judge at this event and The Vintage Racing Stable Concours d’Elegance. A Skip Barber Racing School graduate and prolific writer, Ernst is also skilled in copyediting, project management, brand development, and public relations.
