Veteran John Ireland sells racing car amid Targa Tasmania uncertainty

Uncertainty around rule changes and the future of Targa Tasmania has resulted in a veteran racer selling his beloved Dodge Viper, which is currently garaged in the state’s North.

John Ireland and Janet Binns in their 2017 DODGE VIPER ACR during the Moriarty stage of Targa Tasmania. PICTURE CHRIS KIDD

A Targa Tasmania veteran is selling his car and stepping away from the sport after proposed new rule changes mean his vehicle is likely to be ineligible to race.

John Ireland’s Dodge Viper is on the market alongside a truck from the same manufacturer for $450,000.

While Mr Ireland is based in Sydney, the car and truck are currently in Launceston.

Mr Ireland, who competed alongside his wife as navigator, said he was pulling the pin on his racing career.

“With the changes in the regulations, it doesn’t look like we’ll be able to run in any Motorsport Australia events again,” he said.

“We can still run in the other events, but until Targa comes up with a vehicle specification, we don’t know what Targa is going to require of us.

John Ireland and Janet Binns throw sparks out the back of their Dodge Viper ACR on the Theresa Creek stage of the Targa Great Barrier Reef. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE.

“But we’re under the impression that they want some changes to roll cages and a few other things, but nothing is definite.”

Another potential rule change for Targa Australia events is a 200 km/h speed limit cap.

Targa Tasmania was cancelled for 2023 and 2024 following a delay in implementing safety recommendations from Motorsport Australia following competitor deaths in the 2021 and 2022 events.

While the event is scheduled to take place in 2025, that event will not involve Motorsport Australia after Targa Tasmania split from it.

Mr Ireland said a lack of events had been “very frustrating”.

“Since the beginning of 2020, I’ve done one day of Targa and one day of an event in the Victorian High Country, so it’s been a less than satisfying experience.

“After competing in Targas for 23 years, it’s not the kind of way we wanted to finish up, but it’s just one of those things.”

Mr Ireland said he knows of other racers who are selling their cars.

“As far as Motorsport Australia is concerned, any modern high-performance vehicle is effectively off their list of competing cars.

“There won’t be much opportunity to use the modern cars because they are apparently too fast.

“But anyway, it is what it is, and we’re just going to have to live with that.”