Father, son share Targa trek

This week's Targa New Zealand will be an adventure to remember for Whangarei's Alex Allan and his son, Rhodes, who share a love of motorsport and fast cars.

Alex has dabbled in motorsport competing in the odd sprint, hill climb, rally and has worked in the car industry for 30 years, while Rhodes, 23, has been co-driving for his dad since he was 13. Tomorrow they make their first attempt at the Targa NZ - the third event of the country's largest competitive rally series and the longest closed-tarmac road motorsport event in Australasia.

"We are not in it to win, we are just doing it to have fun," Alex Allan said.

Friends talked the pair into contesting the event which travels to Whangarei for the first time tomorrow. The field of over 130 cars will tour and race over special stages held on the region's roads tomorrow afternoon and Wednesday.

"Another reason we decided to do it, is because it brings a lot of good things to the community and my wife Leticia and I are right behind that."

Local community involvement is an important part of Targa NZ and as much as $100,000 will be channelled back into local schools and sports groups during the time the event travels from Auckland early tomorrow morning to when it finishes in Havelock North on Saturday - which is also Alex's 56th birthday. At least $50,000 is expected to be raised for the event's official charity Cure Kids, bringing the total amount the event has raised for the charity since 2002 to $500,000.

Cure Kids funds research into childhood illnesses and this is something the Allans consider very important, particularly after seeing their son go through a horrific ordeal nine years ago.

In 2002 Rhodes was badly hurt in an accident during the Rally of Whangarei and suffered extensive head injuries.

"It took him two years to get back to where he is now ... when you see our son go through a head injury and then look at where he is today ... it's hard to explain but it changes your outlook on life," Allan said.

These days Rhodes lives in Auckland, where he is a mechanical technician for Independent Prestige Giltrap Group.

While he was anxious when he first began driving again after his accident, Allan said his son is relaxed again - although perhaps more careful. "But that also comes with the job - you have to be smart when you are driving half a million dollars worth of car for a living.

"He has always been sensible but he is probably more wiser now ... hopefully we can share the driving - but only if I'm allowed - Rhodes is in charge," Allan quipped.

Targa NZ will be the pair's first crack at racing in a rally together and although they have a close relationship, Rhodes has already jokingly told his dad he will turn off the intercom if he interferes too much from the passenger seat.

The father and son duo depart Auckland's Wynyard Quarter midfield in their Suzuki Ignis, which was first raced by Kiwi rally driver Emma Gilmour in the 2004 Targa NZ event.

The Allans bought the car three years ago and refined it. They are looking forward to racing it over the next few days and experiencing an adventure to remember.

Targa NZ (dates and times to note)

October 25: First car leaves Wynyard Quarter, Auckland.

Eight special stages totalling 118km (plus 232km touring) passing through Helensville, Wellsford and Hikurangi.

12.05pm: Lunch break at Marsden Cove.

4.55pm: First car finishes at Kensington Park Sports Complex.

October 26: First car leaves Cameron St, Whangarei.

Six special stages totalling 109km (plus 292km touring) passing through Hikurangi and Maunguturoto.

12.05pm: Lunchbreak at Toll Stadium, Whangarei.

3.15-6pm: Special afternoon entertainment at Springhill Farm.

7.30pm: First car finishes at Takanini.

October 27: First car departs Takanini 7am.

5.05pm: First car arrives in Taupo.

October 28: 7.20am: First car departs Taupo.

5pm: First car arrives in Palmerston North.

October 29: 8.10am: First car departs Palmerston North.

5.05pm: First car arrives at the official finish at Havelock North Town Centre.