Tragic death at Targa Tasmania

[Fev]

Horrible news.

THE 2013 Targa Tasmania event has started on a tragic note, with a NSW driver in his 70s killed in a crash and his navigator rushed to hospital. The accident occurred along Porters Bridge Road, near Exton in the state’s north, just after 9am. The driver, whose name has not yet been released, speared off the right-hand side of the road and hit a tree at high speed.
The six-day rally had only just started its first competitive stages.
While investigations into the cause of the accident are ongoing, police are reporting that the co-driver is in a stable condition.
The Confederation of Australian Motorsport (CAMS) has expressed its sympathy to the family of the deceased and will release more details as they come to hand.
In what is one of the hallmark events on the Australian motor racing calendar, this is just the second fatality in the event’s 21-year history and the first since 1996, when a navigator was killed on the Riana stage in the state’s north-west.
However, deaths in Targa events across the rest of Australia are not entirely uncommon, with the most high-profile of which being the death of Peter ‘Perfect’ Brock, who died competing in WA’s Targa West event in 2006.

http://motoring.ninemsn.com.au/cars/...targa-tasmania

[Peuty]

Not good to hear.

RIP

[Polyal]

***** thats horrible.

[tex]

No good, horrible news for the families involved, competitors and organisers.

It's a managed risk, but unfortunately chances are that every now and then despite pace notes, marshals, roll cages, race suits helmets and road race experience.... a competitor will be badly injured or killed in the Tarmac race events.

Those that have driven Tasmanian roads, specifically some of the more challenging Targa stages know first hand just how difficult a race environment they present.

Full tilt race pace on these roads takes serious skill and determination, and no small helping of courage.

high speed, big trees, cliffs and highly variable weather and road surfaces are all doing their best to catch competitors out.

My sincere condolences to the family and friends of the fellow killed.

[2011G6E]

Very sad, but I suppose, as the old cliche goes, he went out doing what he loved.

There's already rumblings amongst the less well informed press about the "future of the race". Then they say it's the "second death in the Tasmanian races history".
It sounds callous to say "only" the second death...but well...it's only the second death.

People forget it's a road race, and the competitors know what some of the risks are...it's just they don't openly discuss them, especially with the press who tend to sensationalise risk.

Then again, sometimes the authorities have a way of seeming to really over-react to deaths in racing...after the first death in the history of racing at Bathurst (Mike Burgmann in 1986) they panicked and stuck a whacking great kink in Conrod Straight to "slow the cars down"...even though the cars now are faster than ever.

[Polyal]

Thats right they are all very smart indiviuals who undertand the risks.

What I dont want to see if the tassie premier coming out saying that the officials need to look at mitigating the risks. They already do, very well.

Nothing will save a Porsche hitting a tree at 200kph. RIP.

[TC200six]

RIP indeed.

It's these smaller motorsport events you don't hear much about when someone dies. For instance, someone has already died after a crash at Lakeside this year, but the only ones who know this are the track officials.

[Pedro]

Originally Posted by TC200six

RIP indeed.

It's these smaller motorsport events you don't hear much about when someone dies. For instance, someone has already died after a crash at Lakeside this year, but the only ones who know this are the track officials.

Yes, having done hundreds of laps around Lakeside, I love the place and it was just tragic to read about that. It was reported his throttle jammed open.
I didn't know the man, but as a fellow enthusiast ... RIP Colin.

[SteveJH]

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

Then again, sometimes the authorities have a way of seeming to really over-react to deaths in racing...after the first death in the history of racing at Bathurst (Mike Burgmann in 1986) they panicked and stuck a whacking great kink in Conrod Straight to "slow the cars down"...even though the cars now are faster than ever.

That was an FIA requirement so that the WTCC could race there the following year.

[LTDHO]

Originally Posted by tex

No good, horrible news for the families involved, competitors and organisers.

and insurers.

Originally Posted by tex

It's a managed risk, but unfortunately chances are that every now and then despite pace notes, marshals, roll cages, race suits helmets and road race experience.... a competitor will be badly injured or killed in the Tarmac race events.

Those that have driven Tasmanian roads, specifically some of the more challenging Targa stages know first hand just how difficult a race environment they present.

Full tilt race pace on these roads takes serious skill and determination, and no small helping of courage.

high speed, big trees, cliffs and highly variable weather and road surfaces are all doing their best to catch competitors out.

My sincere condolences to the family and friends of the fellow killed.

RIP John, died doing what he had done for many years.
Wishing Tristan a speedy recovery.

Motor racing deaths are very rare considering the enviroment they are in, especially in the tree lined targa events.