(TORONTO) - Subaru Canada, Inc. today announced that it is sponsoring two teams to compete in the 2004 Targa Newfoundland. A rally-prepared Impreza WRX STi will be entered in the Targa class, with Canadian rally veteran John Paynter behind the wheel and brother Clarke Paynter co-driving. The Paynters, former Canadian rally champions in the GT class, competed in last year's Targa Newfoundland, winning their class and finishing ninth overall. The second company-supported car will be a 2005 Legacy 2.5 GT sedan, entered in the Touring class and driven by well-know Québec journalists Benoit Charette and Nadine Filion.

Targa Newfoundland, the only event of its kind to be held in North America, is sanctioned by the Canadian Association of Rally Sport (CARS). From September 11 to 19, entrants will cover approximately 2,200 kilometres, racing against the clock during 38 competitive stages on the paved roads of eastern and central Newfoundland. The competitive stages comprise about 500 kilometres and take place on roads that are closed to public traffic during the event.

"The Targa Newfoundland is an exciting driving event that truly tests the mettle of both drivers and vehicles," said Norio Osakabe, president, chairman and CEO of Subaru Canada, Inc. "It is an exceptional opportunity to showcase both the power and durability of our high-performance Impreza WRX STi and the versatile Legacy 2.5 GT. We look forward to being very competitive in this extremely challenging event."

The Targa Newfoundland offers the opportunity for drivers of many competitive levels to participate although, to ensure safety, all drivers must be CARS certified. There are separate classifications for Historic, Classic and Modern vehicles, which may be further subdivided by specification (modified and unmodified) and engine displacement.

The competition is divided into a demonstration day (practice), prologue day and five competitive Legs. Each Leg has seven or eight stages on which the actual competition takes place. Stages are connected by transit sections which are not competitively timed, and where competitors must adhere to the rules of the road.

Targa-style racing originated in Italy (targa is Italian for 'plate'), and, in true Targa tradition, competitors race for honour and glory. The prizes consist of trophies and Targa Plates; there are no cash awards.

Comprehensive information about the Targa Newfoundland is available from the event's web site at www.targanewfoundland.com.

Subaru is a successful veteran of competitive rallying around the world, currently holding the Canadian and North American rally titles for both manufacturers and drivers. For more information about the Subaru Rally Team Canada, go to the team web site at www.subarurallyteam.com. Subaru has also claimed several World Rally Championship (WRC) titles. For more about the Subaru World Rally Team and reigning WRC Driver's Champion, Petter Solberg, visit www.swrt.com.