‘The Ultimate Road Race’

The day starts before the sun even rises at Targa New Zealand. Expect to be on your feet by 6:00am, ready to fuel up with breakfast, complete your pre-race inspections, warm up your car, review the roadbook, and take your place at the starting line. The morning is a whirlwind of competition and touring stages, with one or two quick service stops, followed by lunch (which is covered in your Targa fee for both you and your co-driver). Once the lunch break is over, it’s back to the action: more competition and more thrilling stages.

Targa New Zealand is The Ultimate Road Race, and we run it with military precision. You’ll spend every moment either racing or touring, with just a few fleeting seconds to catch your breath between the heart-pounding stages. Stage distances vary, but on average, each stage spans 25km of high-speed intensity. By the end of the day, your mind, body, and car will have been pushed to their absolute limits. For most, simply completing Targa New Zealand—much like the legendary Targa Florio—is an achievement in itself. Your co-driver is your right hand, your partner in performance. Whether they’re a trusted friend, a seasoned professional, or someone sourced by Targa New Zealand, they’ll be indispensable to your success.

After crossing the final stage, you’ll head to a community car wash to clean your machine, then make your way to parc ferme. If your service crew wasn’t able to take care of any necessary repairs during the service stops, this is your chance to address them. If your car is good to go—tires rotated, brakes checked, fluids topped up, and windows sparkling—then it’s time to prep for tomorrow. With no formal evening events on most competition nights, the responsibility to plan your next move falls on you. We recommend taking time with your co-driver to review the upcoming stages and decide on the language you’ll use to communicate critical corners and approaches.

But don’t worry—you won’t be alone. There’s always someone willing to lend advice, share a meal, or join you for a drink after a full day of racing. Your schedule will be packed—no time for distractions. This is all about eating, breathing, and sleeping Targa New Zealand. When it’s all over, you’ll walk away a changed person. Targa isn’t just an event; it’s an experience that transforms you, your crew, and your supporters. This is The Ultimate Road Race. Brace yourself for a ride you’ll never forget.