CHANGES FELT ACROSS MOTORSPORT

TARGA Australia CEO Mark Perry said recommendations made following the deaths of three competitors in Tasmania in April would affect motorsport across the country.

“Seven or eight pertain particularly to Targa Tasmania but the other 15 or 16 are sport-wide recommendations around licensing, car set up, car check in, pre-event, all things not controlled by us,” Mr Perry said.

He said the majority of drivers would not be affected by speed changes.

“This year, two-thirds of the field will be going less than 130km /h,” he said. “Less than 10 per cent of the field will be impacted by these speed changes.”

He said managing speeds would not be a case of penalising drivers.

“It’ll come down to course design in terms of managing speeds,” he said.

“The cars historically, in the full competition at least, have gone as fast as the roads will allow them.”

Mr Perry said despite the incidents, there’s still a love for motorsport across the country.

“The reality is, inquiries for Targa are actually up, people still love Targa Tasmania.”

Mr Perry paid tribute to the three men who lost their lives.

“It is a loss still felt by everyone at Targa and that is why we welcomed the appointment of the Tribunal by Motorsport Australia and greatly appreciate the effort that has gone into its report.”