Targa Great Barrier Reef driver Aaron Dunkerton says event is in jeopardy following Motorsports Australia’s suspension of Targa racing permit
A Cairns driver says the future of a popular Far North motorsports event could be in jeopardy after a national review was opened into the safety of the competition.
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THE future of a popular Far North event that pulls spectators and competitors alike to Cairns could be in jeopardy after a national review was opened into the safety of the motorsports competition.
Targa’s competitive car rallies are currently under review by Motorsport Australia following multiple fatalities involved in the Tasmanian circuit of the high-speed race.
Motorsport Australia, formerly having sanctioned the competition, has suspended Targa’s permit and opened the Targa Review to investigate the deaths of the racers.
Motorsport Australia CEO Eugene Arocca said there was no set time frame for the review process at the current time.
“We will endeavour to make sure this review process is completed in a timely fashion, however, it’s certainly not something we can rush,” he said.
“Motorsport will not be sanctioning any Targa style tarmac rallies until the panel findings are presented to the board, and the board will then make a decision based on these findings.”
But with the Great Barrier Reef event set for early September 2022, competitive Targa Great Barrier Reef driver and Cairns local Aaron Dunkerton said he believed the event “as it stands, is in jeopardy”.
“I’ve done every Targa GBR event since it started in 2018 and I’ve never had any concerns about the safety,” he said.
“I think Targa does a good job selecting roads that strike a balance between safety and competition.
“The Cairns event hasn’t suffered any fatalities to date.”
Mr Dunkerton voiced his concerns for the future of the event, but also for the outcome of the tourism boost it usually draws.
“Commentators of the review say the future of the event is in non-competitive stages and I strongly disagree because it is a rally, the reason it is a spectacle is because it’s a competition,” he said.
“It would be extremely disappointing if the competition portion of the event were to go but it would also impact local businesses and the economy of the local towns we visit.”
Mr Dunkerton said in its second year the Far North Targa competition pumped over $3m into the Cairns economy.
“Looking at this year’s entry list, there are 17 touring, non-competitive cars registered and easily four times that number of competition cars,” he said.
“I’m entered this year with my younger brother. If I didn’t have confidence in this event, I wouldn’t have entered, let alone with my little brother.”
Motorsport Australia said they remained in close contact with the Targa Australia team as investigations continue.
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Originally published as Targa Great Barrier Reef driver Aaron Dunkerton says event is in jeopardy following Motorsports Australia’s suspension of Targa racing permit
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