A street normally overrun with noisy Commodores doing the blockie route was filled with big-budget beauties on Monday night as George Street hosted Launceston’s first Targafest in five years.
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Illuminated only by street lights and the glow emanating from a handful of open businesses, George Street and the Brisbane Street avenue became home to about 200 sports cars fresh from completing day one of Targa Tasmania.
One of those vehicles, a 2015 Nissan GT-R, belonged to Sydney driver Angus Kennard, who is sitting in third place in the GT4 classification after day one of racing.
Kennard said he’d been more than impressed by the event.
“You come down and it’s got a really good atmosphere and it gets everyone together to have a meal and a drink, plus it allows the fans to have a look at the cars so it’s good fun,” Kennard said.
Targa’s first day threw up some challenging conditions for drivers, with more drizzly weather predicted for Tuesday’s stage in George Town.
“It’s been a bit wet, it was very slippery earlier on and then we had some really good fast ones towards the end of the day.
“We’ve got this new suspension we’ve put in so we’re feeling our way through with that but the car’s feeling really good.”
CityProm marketing officer Laura Wilson said she had been thrilled by the success of Targafest’s long-awaited return to Launceston.
“We’ve had a lot of business asking us when it’s going to come back and all the stars have aligned and we’ve been able to bring it back this year,” she said.
“It shows how much Launceston wants something like this, people want events like this that keep the city alive over that colder period.”
Ms Wilson said CityProm would be looking to bring the event back to George Street in 2018.
“We’ve been able to fit 200 cars into George Street and the avenue so we’re really happy.
“Given that there's been such a great turnout if Targa want to come back we’re more than willing to make that happen.”
Day two of Targa Tasmania will get under way in George Town on Tuesday afternoon.
Road closures will be in place from 1.30pm to 6pm, with the first car due to arrive about 2.30pm.