What a wonderful week the 15th Anniversary Dunlop Targa provided for Cure Kids. The drivers raised $18,000 for our life-threatening research,. Our new GM Brand & Business Development, Carolyn Hobson, was over-whelmed by the support on tour – many of the drivers being long-term supporters – and she had the ride of her life.

The “Tour” drivers really shone when it came to fund-raising. Self-appointed “Tour” sheriffs, Sheridan and Helen, driving in a 1972 Valiant Pacer, extracted thousands of dollars in “fines” from their fellow “Tour” drivers, and then fund-raised another $2,500 themselves.

And then Mike Lowe and Philip Sutton in the 1964 Fiat Abarth Berlina Corsa 1000 raised $750 selling T-shirts with “For the last time, we are NOT a Bambina” despite their spectacular roll at the infamous “Cops Corner” near Martin – which also didn’t stop the indestructible Abarth finishing its 15th Targa.

Carolyn hitched her way through the 15th Anniversary Dunlop Targa Rally so that she could gain an appreciation of the event – you could call it immersion by fire. She had “rides of her life” with so many – from the “Tour” leader, to the “scout” and “sweep” Police drivers, promotional drivers and the event “DJ”, but had THE ride of her life co-driving for “Cheese” van Gisbergen – father of the up and coming V8 driver Shane van Gisbergen. Cheese and Carolyn covered 500 kms on the second day, driving from Taupo to New Plymouth via Otorahunga and the Kawhia-New Plymouth coast, at speeds of up to 200km/h.

Dunlop Targa is such a unique event, with very few still being held worldwide and the New Zealand event directors, Peter Martin and Vicki Martin and their event management team did an outstanding job of ensuring that the event will be around for the next 15 years working alongside officials, volunteers, councils, communities, residents and motorsports enthusiasts throughout the North Island.

This year the Classic competition was won by Mark and Chris Kirk-Burnand in a 1987 BMW M3 and the Modern by Tony Quinn and Naomi Tillet in a 2008 Nisan R35 GT-R.

Registration is now open for the Targa Bambina, Targa Rotorua and the 16th Dunlop Targa – including the “Tour” (see www.targa.co.nz). The more drivers the more funds raised for Cure Kids. Carolyn thinks you should give it a go!

If you would like to support Cure Kids, or for further information, please contact Carolyn at Cure Kids.
c.hobson@curekids.org.nz 09 370 0286

Cure Kids Ambassador Cherokee Sagisagi

signing the bonnet.