A competitor during day two of Targa Hawke's Bay on Tukituki Rd today. Photo/Paul Taylor
Fine weather kept competitors happy at day two of this year's Targa Hawke's Bay.
Fifty competing cars and 40 involved in the non-competitive Targa Tour spent today enjoying special stages around Hastings and Havelock North.
This year's event is being held over three days with an added day from Taupo to Hawke's Bay yesterday.
Event director Peter Martin said Hawke's Bay had turned on the weather which was a lot better than last year's rain.
"It's kept the competitors happy.
"They are all having a great time, it's just ticking along nicely."
Having no rain meant two-wheel and four-wheel drive vehicles were evenly matched too which made for a better competition, he said.
Auckland resident Robyn Riding has been taking part in her 31st Targa rally this weekend as co-driver of a safety car so she wasn't competing.
However, she still got to enjoy the course and the atmosphere, she said.
Hawke's Bay's roads were wonderful for rally driving and she always got a buzz when the vehicle got up to a good speed.
"It's just a brilliant weekend."
Derek White, from Bay of Plenty, who was a co-driver of a Toyota MR2 vehicle, said he had enjoyed a great day of racing today.
He had competed in Targa rallies for the last 10 years and had been to Hawke's Bay several times.
"The region is fantastic, there are really nice stages all the way through."
White said he was pleased with the additional day this year because it meant more racing.
This year's event was a family affair for Hibiscus Coast resident Eddie Grooten who was the driver of a Porsche 911 SC.
His two sons were also competing in a Toyota Starlet and Grooten said it meant the world to him to do it together.
"I'm really lucky I can do it with my sons.
"I do feel fortunate in that we share the same hobby so that I can spend more quality time with my kids."
The event consists of 19 closed road special stages covering a total 459.95km linked by 730km touring stages.
Tomorrow will see competitors head south into the Central Hawke's Bay and Tararua Districts before a ceremonial finish back in Havelock North at about 4.20pm.
People will be able to view the vehicles leave between 7am and 8am outside Porters Boutique Hotel in Havelock North tomorrow or when they stop for lunch at Waipukurau Racecourse between 11.30am and 2pm. There will be seven special stages totalling 178.05km.
A dinner and prizegiving for competitors will be held at Ellwood Convention Centre tomorrow night.
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