The Motorsport Australia Targa Championship has been handed a major boost with Targa Great Barrier Reef renewed for a further three years.

 

As a result of the growing popularity of the event, which first ran in 2018, both the state and local governments have agreed to support the tropical North Queensland based event between 2021 and 2023.

 

With the on-going commitment of both Tourism and Events Queensland and the Cairns Regional Council now official, TARGA Australia CEO Mark Perry was delighted for what the future held for the event.

 

“The on-going support from Tourism and Events Queensland and the Cairns Regional Council is absolutely fantastic and allows us to continue to plan for the future,” Perry said.

 

“We are enormously grateful to the Minister for State Development, Tourism and Innovation, Kate Jones, and also to Cairns Mayor, Bob Manning.

 

“This region is the perfect location for an event like ours. Great roads, welcoming communities and the real ability to bring economic benefits to the regional areas around Cairns as well as to the city itself.

 

“We had great support from the local volunteers and from our Queensland competitor base, and we even had a few from interstate go into quarantine just to make it to the start line.

 

“We can’t thank everyone enough for helping us keep TARGA Great Barrier Reef alive in 2020, and I’m absolutely convinced that the event has a big future.”

 

Queensland Tourism Minister Kate Jones was thrilled with the event and believed it would have nothing but a positive effect on the region.

 

“No other tarmac motor rally race overlooks the Great Barrier Reef and takes in the amazing scenery of the Coral Sea coastline between Tully and Port Douglas,” Jones said.

 

“This event provides thousands of tourists yet another reason to come to the Far North.”

 

Cairns Mayor Bob Manning echoed both Jones and Perry’s comments and was proud Targa Great Barrier Reef would continue in Cairns for another three years.

 

“It is fantastic that Cairns will be home to the TARGA Great Barrier Reef tarmac rally for another three years,” Mayor Manning said.

 

“This Council is committed to supporting high profile and successful events that are of public interest, attract visitors to our region and lift community spirit.

 

“The value of events tourism – in particular sports tourism – cannot be understated, and the inclusion of TARGA Great Barrier Reef continues to build on our reputation as the home of dynamic and prized events.

 

“Over the past three years, this event has become a ‘must-do’ on the rally circuit and I am confident it will continue to grow; not surprising when you consider there is no other place in Australia offers such a breathtaking backdrop for such an iconic event.”

 

The fourth running of TARGA Great Barrier Reef will take place on 3-5 September 2021.