Hopper rallies in dedication

Driving in the 2011 Targa New Zealand is a mix of sadness, good memories and an adrenalin rush for Leigh Hopper, whose son Stace died in a light plane crash in March last year.

In 2006, Hopper and his son started racing in Targa events together, but when Hopper crashed a few too many cars, Stace decided to rebuild his own vehicle, a 2003 Subaru Impreza WRX Sti.

"I crashed too many cars and Stace got sick of that, so he built up this car that I'm driving now and spec'd it all out and made it more reliable," Hopper said.

Stace Hopper, 27, was the project manager for the Marsden Cove development and eldest son of Hopper Developments' chief executive Leigh Hopper. Stace died at Marsden Cove after the plane he was flying crashed and was engulfed in flames.

His death has obviously been a huge blow to the Hopper family, but Leigh Hopper was determined the show must go on.

"Stace had booked in for last year's Targa Rotorua, so we gave Stace's car to New Zealand rally driver Richard Mason to drive and he won it," Hopper said.

Co-driver for Stace Simon, Kirkpatrick was in the passenger seat for Mason, and the pair took out the event despite some engine dramas. Leigh Hopper and Stace's younger brother Gray also drove in the event and finished sixth in Hopper's similar but less developed WRX.

"Then we started Stace's car in Targa Bambina in February this year, but the engine blew up," Hopper said.

After modifying the engine, Hopper and co-driver Gray entered the 2011 Targa Rotorua and dominated the field to win the event overall in the Subaru Impreza. The pair dedicated the win to their son and brother.

Hoping to continue their winning form, Hopper entered the Targa New Zealand with co-driver and friend Shaun Bawden in Stace's car.

"It's a bit sad every time we enter an event again and my wife and I get a bit teary, but you just have to do it. It's a nice way to remember Stace and the good times," Hopper said.

There was a great bunch of guys driving in Targa NZ and good camaraderie was a main attraction to competing in the five day rally. The other drivers were very supportive of Leigh and his family and they all knew and remembered Stace in their own way, he added.

This year, for the first time, Targa NZ raced throughout Northland roads and stopped in Whangarei during the first two days of racing, which was beneficial for the town and surrounding areas.

"Northland has great roads ... some twisty ones and nice, fast ones. It's a shame special stage eight was cancelled due to a touring car coming off the road - they were unhurt. But a big group of spectators had gathered to watch. Having this event up here has got to be great for Whangarei. There's over 100 competitors plus their crew and timekeepers and supporters following them around. They all go out for a meal, they all stay here - you do the maths. Financially, it's got to good," Hopper said.

After the first day of Targa NZ Leigh Hopper and Bawden were fourth equal, but slipped back to sixth on day two and eighth during day three in the main Instra.com Modern class. However, the pair crashed out of the event in spectacular style late Thursday afternoon.