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NLIS 2 June 7, 2002 (Tourism, Culture and Recreation) Government is sponsor of Targa Newfoundland Julie Bettney, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, announced today the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador will be a sponsor for North America�s first Targa-style international car rally being held in the province in September. Targa Newfoundland is a six-day event designed to attract international collectors of historic, classic and modern sporting cars in a driving competition over some of the most challenging roads in eastern and central Newfoundland. As part of the provincial government�s sponsorship of $200,000, the event will be featured in the one-hour television special to be broadcast in Canada, the United States and United Kingdom. In addition, the province�s tourism messages and contact information will be integrated with all Targa Newfoundland communication to competitors and fans, including Web site links (www.gov.nl.ca/tourism </tourism> and www.targanewfoundland.com <//www.targanewfoundland.com>). "We believe Targa Newfoundland has the potential to become a long-term tourist attraction, one that can increase awareness of Newfoundland and Labrador with new audiences," said Minister Bettney. "The television special will focus on the driving competition, and also on the natural beauty and culture of our province." Targa Newfoundland is patterned after highly successful events staged annually in Australia and New Zealand. It combines tests of driving skill on closed road sections, called Targa stages, and touring through scenic countryside at legal speeds, called Touring stages. Targa Newfoundland is being organized by Newfoundland International Motorsports Limited of St. John�s, with the cooperation of area Zone Economic Boards and an infrastructure of over 2,000 volunteers. Event organizers expect more than 150 cars and crews, plus support personnel, families, friends and fans to take part in this first year. "The 2002 event is just the start," said Bob Giannou, president of Newfoundland International Motorsports Limited. "We have a five-year plan to make this the annual crown jewel in the Newfoundland and Labrador tourism calendar." The inaugural Targa Newfoundland will be staged from September 13-22, 2002. It will start and finish in St. John�s and cover 2,300 kilometres of route in the Avalon, Burin, Notre Dame and Bonavista peninsulas, including more than 500 kilometres of Targa stages on closed roads. The event is sanctioned by the Canadian Association of Rallysport (CARS). "Targa Newfoundland provides an exciting opportunity for the development of our tourism industry in the rural regions of our province," said Minister Bettney. "We also want to expand our tourism season beyond the summer months. This event works very well to boost tourism during the �shoulder� season." Media Contacts: Carmel Turpin Doug Mepham Web sites: Tourism Newfoundland &
Labrador: www.gov.nl.ca/tourism 2002 06 07 11:15 a.m. |
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