If you’re looking for no-nonsense competition where every tenth of a second spells the difference between the ecstatic spraying of champagne and utter disappointment, SCCA’s Targas are not for you. But if (as is unceremoniously engraved into some gas station bathroom doors), you’re looking for a good time, then SCCA Targa should be your next call.
On April 29, 2026, some 21 teams gathered at MotorSport Ranch in Cresson, TX, to jumpstart the four-event SCCA Targa season with a four day adventure that would lead the teams from MotorSport Ranch to Hallett Motor Racing Circuit on April 30, Hedge Hollow Raceway on May 1, and then Eagles Canyon Raceway to wrap the experience on May 2.
Unlike last year’s season-starting SCCA Targa (which was an all-Texas bonanza), this year’s version was more Tex “ish” than before – teams found themselves making the trek from Texas then into Oklahoma for Hallett and then Missouri for Hedge Hollow before circling back to Texas for Eagles Canyon. In all, they traversed roughly 1,000 miles of transit stages, plus the on-track action at four hidden gems in the middle of America. Also, unlike last year, this year didn’t feature horrific rainstorms chasing teams up and down the Lone Star State.
Wendy Hodges Jordan Sharpe’s early day two social media update gave the report:
“Dry track & cool weather makes for awesome racing conditions. Enjoyed doing a few paced laps with Chris Sharpe on track before. Most participants have never driven this track before. Should be a fun day.”
Loving Those Challenges
Along the way, Targa teams were tasked with side quests that led them on a “Route 66 Poker Run” as well as a “Show us Your Love” challenge that involved a Loves Truck Stop. Those mini escapades weren’t required, but they did work into each team’s overall score, meaning those looking for a good time AND accolades at the event’s conclusion needed to be all-in.
Back to that poker run, there were five stops along Route 66, with teams drawing a card at each stops along the way. Teams were then able to exchange cards with the “house” and other participants during the driver’s meeting at Hallett. Best hand won.
Now THAT’S Team Spirit
Several teams were repeat performances from last year’s season-opening SCCA Targa. Christopher Dunn and Erick Kohler brought out their Porsche Cayman once more under the “Two Porkies in a Pig” banner, with David Webb and Mindi Cross bringing team “Moist Brisket” back to life as they tackled the event this year in a Toyota Corolla.
Remember not long ago when we talked about the Track Night Experience class at this year’s SCCA Targas? Two teams took us up on the deal. Doug Wille and Jackie Mutschler (Team Track Tourists) and KJ Christopher (who underwent the experience alone with the aptly named Team KJ) chose to undergo the four-day adventure without SCCA timing their on-track experience. They were truly there for the fun of it.
Both teams also won "The Secret to Marital Bliss" superlative award – Doug and Jackie for doing the event together, and KJ for doing it alone (because what relationship doesn't benefit from a little "me time" now and again?).
There were plenty more superlative awards presented, many of which were made up on the fly. Like, for instance, Team Little Red Corvette’s Thomas and Kim Kublie (who ran the event on tires of questionable age and pedigree) won “Making the Rubbers Last,” Team I thought this was a Rallye’s solitary driver John Gurley (in a WRX) won the “Committing to the Bit” superlative, and Team What’s a Pontiac’s team-of-one Blake Pavel (who won the poker run) was presented with the “Cheating at Poker” superlative.
There were more, many more, but you get the gist – this was all for the LOLs.
Who Won?
On an SCCA Targa, everyone is a winner – but it could be said that the following six teams won a little more than the rest:
While those teams won their classes, the real winners were the participants. The grins at Eagles Canyon tell all:
Your Turn!
SCCA Targa Tex-ish has wrapped, but three more SCCA Targas await, packing more adventure than you can imagine into each four-day extravaganza:
Targa Carolinas
- June 10: Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord, NC
- June 11: NCCAR, Garysburg, NC
- June 12: North Wilkesboro Speedway, North Wilkesboro, NC
- June 13: Carolina Motorsports Park, Kershaw, SC
Targa New England
- July 15: Palmer Motorsports Park, Warren, MA
- July 16: Lime Rock Park, Lakeville, CT
- July 17: Canaan Motor Club, Canaan, NH (features a stop at Mt. Washington in the evening)
- July 18: Pocono Raceway, Long Pond, PA
SCCA Targa Great Lakes
- July 29: Blackhawk Farms Raceway, South Beloit, IL (features an option for a ferry ride across Lake Michigan)
- July 30: Grattan Raceway Park, Belding, MI
- July 30: Tire Rack HQ, South Bend, IN
- July 31: GingerMan Raceway, South Haven, MI
- Aug. 1: Autobahn Country Club, Joliet, IL
While SCCA Targa is on its second consecutive season, this program has an on-again, off-again history dating back to 2016, meaning if you want to assure your spot in the fun, you better sign up today for one of this year’s three remaining SCCA Targas!
