Six Star Magazine Six Star Magazine 2012 | Page 42

Visiting Newfoundland,
the Subaru way.
The organizers of the Targa rally, with its four Subaru competitors, are proud
of their rally. “We offer a 2,200-kilometre course with scenery and competition
Robert Giannou. “Drivers enjoy the paved, open roads of eastern and central
Newfoundland and the many wonders of natural beauty. Our competitors’ only
complaint may be that their speed is so fast and focus so good, they have little
time to enjoy the ocean smell or the up close and personal views of the Atlantic.”

Competitive sections are held on roads closed to the general pu blic and
comprise 20 per cent of the total course. “And while [we] can’t promise you
weather (prepare for the unexpected),” Giannou added. “We can promise
you community support unlike any other. Newfoundlanders will be waiting
hundreds of school children eager for an autograph and a picture.”
Over nine years later, Targa Newfoundland remains one of only three
Targa events worldwide – besides Targa Tasmania, there is also Targa
New Zealand. The event annually engages over 2,000 volunteers in 70
and indirectly) for the provincial economy – making it a considerable
contributor to small business in rural Newfoundland. Since 2005,
of choice, Easter Seals. In 2010, Targa Newfoundland named Autism

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and the Sick Children’s Hospital
Foundation, Toronto.
“Some of the roads have
connected villages that were
once only accessible by boat,”
Davenport commented. “All over
Newfoundland, the scenery and
the people are incredible. You are
a hero wherever you go.”
“One of the most important
parts of this is that the funds
will stay in local communities,”
Davenport said. “Whatever funds
a dealer raises will be directed
to Ronald McDonald Houses in
their province.”
“It’s a friendly competition,”
said Howard. “But I intend to
raise more funds than Mike
Davenport.”
Davenport said that Quebec
dealers, for example, are
directing the funds from their
golf tournaments toward the
two Ronald McDonald Houses
in La belle province. In Ottawa,
Ogilvie Subaru dealer principal
Arnie Mierins heard of this effort
and upped the contribution to
$5,000. Ogilvie, one of the country’s
by Sonia Koller of Otto’s Subaru, also
in Ottawa.
“It’s efforts like these that make me
we imagined,” added Davenport, who is
also participating with local McDonald’s
franchisees to raise even higher amounts,
with car wash days and a mini rally with
the Subaru of Toronto club. Howard has
donated a 2012 Outback to the local
Ronald McDonald House, so patients can
be driven back and forth to the hospital.
He is soliciting both corporate and media
sponsors for his donation efforts.