Targa Newfoundland 2012 Challenges Every Driver [w/video]

The 2012 Targa Newfoundland rally is best described as one of the most scenic, yet challenging motorsport adventures in North America. This is not just another open road rally with parties; this is a serious motorsports event with closed road ways, rules and regulations, and testing not only your abilities, but your patience. Making it through five grueling days of hardcore racing activities is never an easy task, especially when Hurricane Leslie is around.

To get the real racing perspective, we caught up with the geraheads at Vivid Racing as we follow their Porsche 997 Turbo S in action throughout each stage of the Targa competition.

Although Vivid Racing's 997 performs well on its Toyo Tires, the wet road conditions did leave some flooding and hidden potholes to deal with. Luckily, on the high speed straights the guys still managed to pull 130 km/h and feel (somewhat) safe. In each stage, the roads that go towards or parallel to the Atlantic Ocean could be a little sketchy.

Getting caught in the path of Hurricane Leslie only added to the difficult road ahead, dumping tons of rain and producing high winds on all drivers through the first few stages. But as the Targa team tracked the storm, it was forecast to move East (away from Newfoundland) and the rally would go on!

The relentless event organizers and dedicated participants are proven motorsport enthusiasts who always welcome the 2,200 kilometre course challenge and push their cars the way they are meant to be driven. With just three more days to go in this year's rally, we can't wait to meet up with our buds from Vivid Racing at the finish line!

Click here to catch the latest Targa video footage and be sure to flip through the photo gallery too.