23 Changes for Targa Tasmania
Posted on September 16, 2021 Tags: Targa Tasmania
Tribunal Tightens Rally Regs
MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA TODAY RELEASED its findings into the deaths of three men in the Targa Tasmania rally in April, calling for speeds to be reined in to avoid further deaths.
Drivers Leigh Mundy, Dennis Neagle and Shane Navin died in two separate accidents.
All Findings to be Implemented
The Tribunal’s 61-page report contains 23 recommendations, including avoiding roads where speeds of 200kph were possible.
The MA Board has said it will implement all recommendations.
The tribunal was chaired by Australian Institute of Motorsport Safety’s Garry Connelly AM, with Matt Selley and Neal Bates as tribunes.
Their full report describes the circumstances of each incident, and an explanation for each recommendation.
Report can be accessed here
“Speeds in future will only increase as car design improves and unless action is taken, it is sadly only a matter of time before further injuries and deaths occur,” the report said.
It recommends changing up the event’s routes, noting “familiarity with running essentially the same route each year encourages complacency and less desire to perform reconnaissance”, where competitors would inspect the track.
Targa Tasmania had submitted some competitors were unable to enter the State to undertake reconnaissance before the race because of COVID-19 border restrictions.
“If border restrictions prevent crews in the unrestricted competition field from undertaking reconnaissance, the tribunal is of the view the event should be deferred until they can do so,” the tribunal recommended.
Veteran driver Shane Navin died on day five of the six-day tarmac rally after he lost control of his car on a bend during a stage of the rally on Tasmania’s west coast. Leigh Mundy and Dennis Neagle were killed on the final day, when their car veered off the road near Cygnet, south of Hobart.
Targa Tasmania Rally to Return in March ’22
Following the report’s release, Targa Australia chief executive Mark Perry reiterated his condolences to the family and friends of the three competitors.
“It is a loss still felt by everyone at Targa and that is why we welcomed the appointment of the tribunal by Motorsport Australia and greatly appreciate the effort that has gone into its report.
“Competitor safety should be a priority for all involved in the sport.
“Targa Australia will now work with Motorsport Australia to implement all 23 recommendations from the Tribunal.”
MARK PERRY
He said Targa Australia remained committed to holding its 30th Targa Tasmania event in March next year.
“It is an event with wonderful history and together we will work to ensure its ongoing success for decades to come,” he said.
“Some of the recommendations fall to us to implement, while others fall to Motorsport Australia as the controlling body. We will work together to have them implemented for Targa Tasmania in 2022.”
My Thanks to Paul Riordan
Motorsport Australia General Manager – Media and Communications
+61 498 009 803 – priordan@motorsport.org.au
EDITED by AC
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