Inquest into Targa deaths begins today as doubts hang over race's future

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NewsInquest into Targa deaths begins today as doubts hang over race's futureBSBy Benjamin SeederUpdated September 24 2024 - 9:36am, first published 8:00amBy Benjamin SeederUpdated September

24 2024 - 9:36am, first published 8:00amFacebookTwitterWhatsappEmailCopyLeigh Mundy and Dennis Neagle died when their car veered off the road during a stage near Cygnet in April 2021. The

future of Targa Tasmania and whether the race will return next year could become clearer via a coronial inquest into the deaths of four race competitors in 2021 and 2022, which gets underway

in Hobart today.

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50% off EOFY SaleAll articles from our website & appThe digital version of Today's PaperCrosswords, Sudoku and TriviaAll other regional websites in your areaContinue Shane Navin, Leigh Mundy

and Dennis Neagle died during the event in 2021, and Anthony Seymour died in the event the following year.

The spate of deaths sparked investigations by sports administrator Motorsports Australia and prompted fears that the race could be permanently stopped over safety fears.

Organisers cancelled the 2023 race amid uncertainty over that review, and the 2024 race was also cancelled due to the upcoming coronial inquest.

The first day of an expected five-day hearing begins today.

Targa Australia chief executive Mark Perry said last year that delaying the race until 2025 would allow the organisation time to prepare properly and deal with the coronial process.

He said renewed support from the state government, with funding for the event from 2025 to 2029, had reassured participants that Tasmanians want the race to continue.

Mr Perry said it was inappropriate to comment while the inquest was ongoing.

Unprecedented string of race deaths Targa race deaths have occurred in the past, but the spate of four deaths over 12 months was unprecedented.

In 2021, Leigh Mundy and Dennis Neagle were killed when their car veered off the road during a stage near Cygnet, south of Hobart, on April 18.

Then veteran competitor Shane Navin died after his 1979 Mazda RX-7 crashed at Double Barrel Creek five days later, on April 23.

NSW Targa driver Shane Navin, left, photographed in 2019. He died in a single vehicle crash in day five of Targa Tasmania rally in 2021. The next year, on April 26, 2022, Targa competitor Mr

Seymour died after his 2013 Lotus Exige left the road on a sharp bend, crashed through a rope wire barrier and collided with a tree near Mount Roland, south-west of Railton.

Anthony Seymour died after crashing his car during Targa Tasmania is 2022.Race delays 'necessary'  Mr Perry said last year the decision to cancel the 2024 race was 'disappointing', but was

necessary.

"This delay will enable us to finalise a number of key components while also fully supporting the ongoing coronial inquest which should see us in a position to implement all relevant

recommendations from this process for the 2025 TARGA Tasmania.

"We fully understand that this is a bitter blow for competitors, officials, sponsors, and the Tasmanian tourism industry, but we are taking a long-term view to secure the future of TARGA

Tasmania. We appreciate everyone's ongoing support in the year ahead.

In their February 2023 review of the incidents, investigators of Motorsport Australia concluded that Targa featured a number of shortcomings and failings that, without significant changes,

posed "unacceptably high" risks to competitors.

Motorsports Australia Report Criticised Organisers "The likelihood of further serious incidents is unacceptably high," the Motorsport Australia panel review concluded.

"These shortcomings arise from what the panel considers to have been a relaxation of controls on vehicle eligibility as the performance capabilities of production cars have evolved over

time."

It also concluded that race organisers had not recognised the "inherent dangers" of some sections of road that have "inadequate, and often no, protection to crews" that lose control of their

vehicles.

They also found that many crews lacked the skills needed to compete safely.

"Some participants in outright competition lack insight into the risks inherent in the discipline and are permitted to compete in often high-powered vehicles when they do not have or are not

established to have, sufficient experience and skills to maintain control of their vehicles, particularly in difficult conditions.

"These failings are manifest in the Targa Tasmania event."

Targa Splits from Motorsport Australia Targa Australia split from Motorsport Australia last year following the release of the panel review.

In a statement released on July 14 2023, Targa stated that uncertainty over Motorsports Australia's review and the decision to limit speed on some routes to 110 k/hr had resulted in the

withdrawal of over 80 per cent of participants of some tours.

"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," the statement read.

After the split with Motorsports Australia, Targa is now devising its own rules under which the race will be run in 2025.

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