A driver has died after a crash on Day 2 of the 2022 Targa Tasmania tarmac rally, in Mount Roland.
Earlier today, Tasmania Police advised that a “serious incident” on Olivers Road was being attended by emergency services.
It has since been confirmed that the male driver has died, while the female co-driver sustained non-life threatening injuries.
The incident comes after three people, specifically two drivers and a co-driver, lost their lives in two separate crashes in last year’s event.
Police do not yet have permission to name the deceased in today’s accident, although the ABC reports that it is a 59-year-old Brisbane man.
Police’s earlier statement advised, “Around 3.30pm today, a vehicle participating in Targa Tasmania crashed over an embankment on a closed section of the event.
“No other vehicles were involved.”
Motorsport Australia officials attended the scene of the incident, and were assisting police and event organisers as required.
A statement from the governing body read, in part, “Motorsport Australia is saddened to learn of a fatality that occurred at Wednesday’s TARGA Tasmania competition.
“Motorsport Australia expresses its condolences to the entire TARGA community during this difficult time.
“Support will be provided to officials, competitors and the broader motorsport community over the coming days.”
Police are investigating the incident, while Motorsport Australia also advised that it is “providing its full support to all parties.”
A report will be prepared for the Coroner.
Both Motorsport Australia and Targa Australia, which organises the Tasmania event and others, collectively accepted all those recommendations and committed to implementing them.
According to organisers, however, two recommendations remain a “work in progress”, per an announcement last week of an impending superlicence-style system for future Targa events.
Speedcafe.com extends its condolences to the deceased’s friends and family.
CLICK HERE for comments from Targa Australia CEO Mark Perry
