Havelock North prepares a warm welcome for Targa competitors

The 2012 Targa New Zealand competitors will roll into Havelock North tomorrow (Friday) at the end of the fourth day of the gruelling 2200 kilometre event.

Over 100 competitors started Targa NZ from Auckland on Tuesday morning and have worked their way down the North Island as far as Palmerston North. Tomorrow morning (Friday) they leave Palmerston North and travel north before heading across the Gentle Annie into Hawke’s Bay.

Saturday begins at the Havelock North Domain and the route takes the drivers over eight special stages with service stops in Waipukurau, Dannevirke High School and Central Hastings. Fans will be able to get a close up view of the cars and chat with the drivers at the service stops. The ceremonial finish will be in Napier Road, Havelock North with the first car expected at about 3pm and all the cars finished by around 5pm.

President of the Havelock North Business Association Adrienne Pierce says “It’s great to have Targa back in the Village for the second year in succession. The cars and drivers create a colourful and vibrant atmosphere in the town centre.  We have developed a very good relationship with the Targa management and enjoy working with them to create a fabulous end to an amazing event.”

Adrienne Pierce says “The event brings so many people into the shopping centre and provides a huge boost for businesses. It is another chance for Hawke’s Bay to show its fun side to visitors from all around the country and there will also be a few people from overseas.”

“It's a great family event and we look forward to having people in the Village centre from Saturday afternoon. There will be food and music and our visitors will be able to relax in the restaurants and cafés. Locals are invited to join the drivers and their crew as they celebrate finishing such a difficult event and swap stories about the incidents which occurred along the way,” Adrienne Pierce says.

For the location of Saturday’s special stages in Hawke’s Bay go to  www.targa.co.nz