Crash mars day two of Targa Rally

Two people were injured after a crash during the Targa Rally yesterday.

Their car crashed over a bank on Tuapeka Rd West, near Lawrence, about 12.50pm.

Targa Rally spokesman Paul Shanahan said minor incidents happened a lot but having a serious crash in the event was most unusual.

‘‘We haven’t had a serious crash or someone who has been seriously hurt for quite a number of years.’’

While he did not have many details of the crash, he did not think the injuries were lifethreatening.

Rally officials ensured drivers’ safety by putting precautions in place, such as speed moderation, Shanahan said.

A St John Ambulance spokesman said a 50-year-old man with serious injuries had been airlifted to Dunedin Hospital, and a 40-year-old man had moderate injuries.

Earlier in the day, spectators in Papatowai were happy to see the cars racing again after participants were told to tour instead of race in the final stage on Tuesday.

Curios museum and cafe owner Blake Somerville said he was disappointed the cars had slowed down.

‘‘It was a shame they were going slow yesterday but good to see them today at speed.’’

Crib owner Karl Thomson said he felt it was a letdown, as his group had been looking forward to it.

‘‘We gathered yesterday, three ute-loads of us with a few bites to eat and a few drinks ready to watch the race, but we were all a bit disappointed.’’

Shanahan said there had been a communication issue, which prevented officials from using their regular health and safety programme.

‘‘The decision had to be made that if we couldn’t manage it properly and we didn’t know where every car was, we were unable to ensure that safety measures were met and couldn’t run it through at race speed.’’

However, the action of day two had made up for Tuesday’s disappointment, he said.

The race, which runs over five days, will be in Dunedin today and tomorrow, and ends in Queenstown on Saturday.

Photos: ROBYN EDIE/STUFF Anthony and Joanne Butler, of Auckland, in their 1972 Holden Cheetah, passing Papatowai.

Haydn Mackenzie, of Auckland, and co-driver Matt Sayers, in their 2013 Mitsubishi Evo 10.

Special stage 7 on Chaslands Highway, in the Catlins, with some of the cars coming through Papatowai.

Crib owners Brenda Duncan, left, and Karl Thomson, out with their dogs waiting for the cars to arrive.

Scott O’Donnell and co-driver Scott Milne, of Invercargill, in O’Donnell’s 2005 BMW Mini.