Porsche Club of America - Upper Canada Region: 35th Anniversary September 2011

It was June 6, 2011 at approximately 9AM when Tim Sanderson called me to talk about the 10th Annual Targa Newfoundland. It was a short conversation but an important conversation. We had previous discussions about returning to Targa since our last visit in 2007, nothing serious, just that we thought we should go back one day. We also had a brief conversation about 2011 being the 10th running of this unique event that, for some strange reason, both of us hold in very high regard. 

Tim only asked me one question that day. “Who should we take to Newfoundland this September?” At that moment, Northwest Atlantic Motorsports came to life. Tim Sanderson, car owner and driver, Stan Carmichael the co-driver and two open spots we needed to fill before we could confirm our return to Targa Newfoundland.

We both wanted Yarko Matkiwsky to go with us. Yarko has been working with us for almost a year now and knows Tim’s Porsche 911 very well. We all get along well and enjoy our time at the track together. I agreed to call Yarko, and find someone to drive the truck and trailer to Newfoundland with me that could help Yarko with service duties.  The team organization chart was complete; we needed two more members.

It was the next day when I caught up with Yarko. I asked him if he would consider baby-sitting two spoiled brats for a week. His response was a cautious “where?” When I told him Newfoundland, he replied, “Oh those two spoiled brats”. With Yarko on-board, we had one spot open to complete our team.

I talked to Tim about my brother Bob. Bob has been with us at the track over the years and has blended well. He has great mechanical aptitude, unlike his brother, and a passion for motor sport. He is also someone who can drive for hours and not wear himself out racing other vehicles on the road. A perfect partner for me who doesn’t exactly share all of those attributes. Bob jumped at the opportunity to be a part of Targa. The Northwest Atlantic Motorsports – Targa Newfoundland Team was complete.

With staffing in place, we turned our attention to preparations and logistics. The first official meeting of Northwest Atlantic Motorsports - Targa Newfoundland Team took place in Toronto on July 15th. We planned our attack on Targa Newfoundland, discussed responsibilities and Tim and I tried our best to prepare Yarko and Bob for their first encounter as service crew in the grueling weeklong endurance test. We left that meeting with a long “to-do” list and began preparing for our adventure. With less than two months until our first competitive stage, there was plenty of work for all of us.