The first ever SCCA Targa event, Targa Southland, is in the record books.  In all, there were 33 teams and more than 65 drivers that participated.  And while the overarching goal of the activity was for people to have fun with their cars, winners were crowned in several classes.

In the Experience classes, all 13 teams came out tied for the lead.  In Stock 1, “Team ARRRGH!,” consisting of Don Johnson and Laura Jean Johnson, grabbed the title with a Honda S2000.  In Stock 2, Jack McGahey and Joseph Downer’s “AH-BART” team came out ahead in a Fiat Abarth 500.  And in Stock 3, “Team Corporate Tire Conglomerate,” containing James Rodatus and Aditya Madhavan, drove to victory in a Subaru BRZ.

The Super Production Class saw team “Off-Rotus” earn the title in a Lotus Elise with Sean Oshea and Peter Serran behind the wheel.  In Touring 1, “BaconSpeed Racing” teammates Brian Flanagan and Karl Rickert won in a BMW M3.  And the Unlimited Class saw the 2017 Acura NSX of “Team Road & Track” claim victory piloted by Mark Baruth and Jadrice Toussaint.

Along with overall winners, several teams received additional commendations.  The Targa Staff Choice award went to team “Idle Threat.” Spirit of Targa was awarded to “Junk in the Frunk.” The Underdog award was given to “Shake and Bake,” and the Best in Show went to team “Duff Beer.”

Targa Southland participants started their adventure on Friday with an autocross at zMAX Dragway near Charlotte before heading across the street to Charlotte Motor Speedway for a Track Night in America Driven by Tire Rack experience.  Teams then packed up and headed for Dawsonville, Georgia, that evening.

On Saturday, Targa tacklers opened their day with a Time Trial at Atlanta Motorsports Park, followed by a Road Rally through the mountains of north Georgia on their way to a Cook-Out/Car Show.  The final day of driving fun began Sunday with another autocross at NCM Motorsports Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and then a TrackCross at the same venue to close the adventure.

Scoring for Targa’s competition was as follows: Autocrosses - fastest in each class received 100 points, rest of class scored on a percentage; Track Night - 100 points for each team with 10 points deducted for a black flag warning, and 20 points deducted for a second warning; Morning Roll Call - full points for attendance, five points deducted for tardiness; Time Trial - fastest in each class gets 100 points, following teams scored on percentage; Road Rally - scoring based upon individual performance and graded on a curve with top teams receiving 100 points while lowest team received 80 points; Car Show - teams receive between 100 and 95 points; TrackCross - fastest in each class received 100 points, all else scored on a percentage.  Additionally, teams could receive “makeup” points for various social activities.

Check back to SCCA.com to say abreast of future SCCA Targa dates.

Photo: Mark Baruth and Jadrice Toussaint took the Targa Unlimited Class win in a rare 2017 Acura NSX.

Photo Courtesy of Mark Baruth