Targa champion’s seal of approval for format
TWO-time reigning champion Eddie Maguire will start his preparation soon for Targa Tasmania 2023 after officials guaranteed the event would continue next year and with a completely new format.
As revealed exclusively by the Mercury on Friday, Targa Tasmania – which is worth $1m a day to the state’s economy over its eight days – will continue as a full tarmac rally competition with 10 different classes, as well as building on its various non-competitive touring categories.
A cloud hung over the future of Targa Tasmania after Brisbane driver Tony Seymour crashed and died on day two of Targa Tasmania in April, causing the 30th anniversary event with its record 502 field to be abandoned. Maguire, who won in 2019 in his Dodge Viper and was also crowed the winner this year, is delighted the race will go on.
“It’s fantastic that the competition will go ahead,” Maguire said.
“We were also very hopeful that it would, because it’s incredibly important for the whole event that there is a competitive section.
“I don’t think the tour part would work without the competition section, and I don’t think the competition would work without the tour either.
“They definitely come as a package, so it’s fantastic news, and we look forward to the new format.”
For the first time since it kicked off in 1992, Targa will start in Hobart with the two days of build-up and the opening stage around the state’s south and the first overnight stop.
It then heads to Strahan, then two days in the state’s north based in Launceston, back to Strahan, and then the traditional long haul to the finish in Hobart.
“Starting and finishing in Hobart is going to look different and it’s good to get a big mix-up in the event, something new and different having new stages.
“I’m really looking forward to it.”
Targa Tasmania CEO Mark Perry said more changes to make the event safer for competitors were on the way for the April 17-22 addition.
“The competition may look different, but it may not. We don’t know that yet and that’s a process we will continue to work through with all of the relevant stakeholders,” Perry said.