Should Targa Tasmania be scrapped? Debate rages again after another race tragedy

[Tourer]

Targa severs ties to Motorsport Australia (for now I guess - will depend on what other sanctioning body can provide what they need).

[bludvl_x19]

Originally Posted by Tourer

Targa severs ties to Motorsport Australia (for now I guess - will depend on what other sanctioning body can provide what they need).

Or if there is a need for a sanctioning body at all.

Dutton (the owners of TT) sold recently to a Japanese company who may see a non-core part of the business that is only troublesome as an easy cull with no downsides.

[275 GTB-4]

Australia is going down the gurgler in more ways than one...

[bathurst77]

I think we may have seen the last targe... and i just moved to tassie in a house where they would have gone past the end of my street... I was looking forward to it
Sorry guys my typical luck jynxed it.

If it was raining film stars I would get Danny Devito!!!!

[Kingair]

The Mercury newspaper, had a story about Jason White(Targa winner, and done 80 plus road Targa events), saying that he would have to do a special course in Adelaide to be eligible to compete in the event. The course was five days and had to be done in his Dodge Viper, so not a cheap exercise in both dollars, logistics and time.

Seems to a box ticking exercise and somebody will be making some dollars, but will it enhance safety for the event?

A bit like most things in Australia today, pay dollars get a shiney certificate and everyone is happy!

Don’t quite know how they will replicate the windy west coast roads in Adelaide?

Big loss of tourism dollars for the west coast of Tasmania.

So bathurst77, if you went down in a barrel of nipples, you would come up sucking on your own thumb.

[GTRMagic]

Does changing the sanctioning body automatically by osmosis change driving standards thru the whole field, and reduce the danger on the roads?

[Tourer]

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

Does changing the sanctioning body automatically by osmosis change driving standards thru the whole field, and reduce the danger on the roads?

No - but it might allow the event to continue at a reasonable cost for all. The organiser would be mad to try and continue as it was though, given the recent deaths. Taking a different organisational approach could result in improved driving standards and reduced danger but realistically that is more in the hands of the organisers to activate rather than relying on a sanctioning body to do it.

[GreenMachine]

Originally Posted by Tourer

Taking a different organisational approach could result in improved driving standards and reduced danger but realistically that is more in the hands of the organisers to activate rather than relying on a sanctioning body to do it.

I would say it is totally in the hands of the drivers.

I think it one of those things that just gets out of hand by virtue of the 'the Targa mystique' overwhelming sane and responsible judgement. Strap on the helmet and HANS, and a Targa plate is mine ... maybe even a podium spot!

I cannot see that the organisers can run a traditional event AND control drivers out for the best result. It is circuit racing without circuit safety. Drivers in the Tour are out of control, never mind the event proper.

Kill it before it kills any more competitor, or perish the thought, spectators.

[dirtymacca]

Cars and the technology have progressed so far in the past 30 years, the roads are still the same. They are made for commuting.
Targas are a spin off of the cavalier times in the 50's and 60's. Champagne and picnic baskets.

Now we have motoring enthusiasts with powerful cars ... and the finance to 'race' at these events.

Everyone screams about "street circuits" are are waste of taxpayers money. Why can't these enthusists organise some 12 hour (or other time lines) races on some of our great existing circuits? It is about self gratification.

Racing on public roads will always have its issues and apart from the enthusists will only continue to **** off the general public.

Just my opinion.

[V8 Fireworks]

Originally Posted by dirtymacca

Now we have motoring enthusiasts with powerful cars ... and the finance to 'race' at these events.

If 36mm air restrictors successfully limit power output to 300-350hp in WRC Rally1, and has done so for over 30 years, why does Targa rallying overlook a solution which already exists?

Does a Targa Tasmania car really need twice as much power as a car on Rallye Monte Carlo? It's not like Rally1 or even Rally2 or Rally3 vehicles are exactly slow.

[GreenMachine]

Power is not the problem, it is speed - inappropriate speed. Fast cars are insanely fast in those forest stages, any stages even, but even 'slow' cars can be driven fast.

How fast is too fast on a downhill, wet and greasy corner? You don't need to be in a 911RSR or a GTR to be too fast in that situation, and a restrictor is totally irrelevant there.

[Kingair]

Extinct like the Tassie Tiger, according to a former Targa class winner.

[GTRMagic]

TT has always been a picturesque demonstration of the beauty of Tasmania..

A genuine shame for tourism there also

[V8 Fireworks]

Could it be reconfigured as a tarmac rally within the Australian Rally Championship using shorter, lower speed stages?

[GreenMachine]

Nah, stick the knobblies on, a bunch of Super Oscars up front and tell them last one home buys breakfast ...

[cavvy]

'On average, 13 rock fishers drown each year, whereas there have been six fatalities in 30 years of Targa tarmac rallying. But take a guess which sport has been shut down due to safety concerns.'

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/lif...253ea36e5b3dfb

“Due to these unprecedented challenges, Targa Australia has advised Motorsport Australia that they can no longer align their business with the governing body and will not seek a contract renewal on future events run by Targa Australia.”

Motorsport Australia’s decisions come after three competitors died in the 2021 rally and another died last year. Motorsport Australia is the governing and sanctioning body for four-wheeled motorsport in Australia. It is affiliated with the FIA. And, critically, it provides insurance for event organisers such as Targa, which up until now is part of the control Motorsport Australia has over organisers.

[GreenMachine]

Yeah, and how many of those six were in the last three or four events. FS HALF of them in the last event! Four of them in the last two!

I guess we can't expect much in the way of intelligent journalism from the Murdoch press, so the points of difference between a sanctioned motor racing event operating under State/Territory legislation and a pastime practiced freely and uncontrolled around the national coastline are irrelevant to their treatment.

[GreenMachine]

Well, things are moving in the South Island: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-07-...alia/102664676

It'll be interesting to see what they come up with, and who will carry the event insurance - the poor old taxpayers I suspect. Who will be the sanctioning body, or will they rely on some approvals from tasgov?

It had better work, rejecting the MA recommendations and going your own way sets up a liability path into the future, should there be further accidents/fatalities/serious injuries.

I'll be interested to see a comparison of what MA recommended and what the new regs require, and where any differences lie.

[bathurst77]

Having moved to Hobart this year, I really want Targa to happen

[Kingair]

Hopefully it goes ahead!