Earlier this year, I attended the Targa High Country, with the event having a significant drop in entry numbers. The future of tarmac rallying is uncertain, following four competitor deaths in the past two Targa Tasmania events, held in 2021 and 2022.
Targa Tasmania was due to return in 2023 however has now been postponed until 2025. Targa Australia recently announced that tarmac rally events will be postponed until 2025, and has also cut ties with Motorsport Australia, citing the two organisations no longer align in terms of values. A thorough review of tarmac rallying is taking place and has outlined a list of recommendations including limits on average and terminal speeds, car performance and a new licensing structure. Hopefully Targa Australia can team up with a new event provider to ensure the success of these great events.
Although tarmac rallying takes place on closed public roads, the dangers are far greater than competing on a circuit. Circuits have run off areas, tyre walls, marshalling points and quick response to incidents. Driving at high speeds on largely tree lined public roads during a tarmac rally in remote areas with little in the way of course safety is always going to be a risk. It’s horrible that lives were lost at Targa Tasmania, but by entering this event you need to acknowledge the great risk involved. A stricter licensing system and vehicles having to meet stringent safety conditions to run in these events are great ideas, but due to the nature of the roads used, I don’t ever believe that tarmac rallying will be free from risks.
Both my Automotive Torque Youtube channel and website reached 100,000 views in 2023. Thanks for the ongoing support and Happy New Year!
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