Changes are coming for a new-look Targa Tasmania to make it safer than ever

Targa Tasmania is set to implement a series of new safety measures this year following the deaths of four competitors in previous events. Here’s a look at the top-10 changes.

John Ireland and Janet Binns in their DODGE VIPER - Targa Tasmania is back in November 2025, designed to be safer than ever. PICTURE CHRIS KIDD

Targa Tasmania officials have five months to put in place a host of changes they hope will make the world-famous tarmac rally safer than it has ever been.

One of Tasmania’s major events worth an estimated $8m to the economy every time it happens, Targa has been on hold for the past three years while a coroner’s inquest was held in to the deaths of four competitors, Shane Navin, Leigh Mundy, Dennis Neagle, and Anthony Seymour, in 2021 and 2022.

Among the main changes is a limit to the number of cars that can take part, much tougher licencing regulations, and speed limits across all four competition categories.

Coroner Simon Cooper, who handed down his findings on Thursday, noted that driver error and preexisting health conditions were contributing factors in all three fatal accidents.

Targa Tasmania 2021. 1979 Mazda RX-7 of Shane Navin and co-driver Glenn Evans crashed 35.4 kilometres into the stage at approximately 10am this morning. Medical teams were immediately dispatched to attend the scene of the accident but were unable to revive Shane, who died at the scene. Co-driver Glenn Evans, was assessed by the attending medical crew and cleared of injuries. Picture: James Bresnehan

The coroner also questioned whether Mundy or Seymour should have been allowed to compete due to those conditions.

Targa Tasmania boss Mary Perry said he was taking a few days to digest the findings.

“Targa Australia appreciate all the work carried out by Coroner Simon Cooper and all those involved in the inquest,” he said.

“In receiving his findings, we will now consider those ahead of issuing a further release next week.

“We appreciate your patience in granting us the time to undertake this review of the findings.

“We will continue to plan for the safe and successful return of Targa Tasmania from November 16-21.”

Porsche Cayman GT4 at Targa Tasmania 2021.

The field for new-look Targa has been capped to what is considered a more manageable 300 cars, down from 500 entries in 2022.

It took only 24 hours after the release of entry applications in mid-April for 225 of those spots to be snapped up.

The field is subsequently fully-subscribed. Other Targa hopefuls have been put on a wait-list.

New-look Targa Tasmania will run in mid-November, ditching its traditional April-May slot. It will hold the same calendar time-slot for the next five years.

When he announced the date shift, Perry said: “A mid-November slot can only assist in improved safety outcomes for everyone involved and give our large tour contingent a more pleasant drive around Tasmania.

“It is also great news for spectators and will give us some amazing opportunities to put on more outdoor events for the public at a warmer and drier time of the year.”

For the first time in Targa history, the start has been switched from Launceston to Hobart.

That means more than 300 competitors, their crews, friends and families will spend three to four days in the state’s capital in the lead-up, producing a significant boost for hospitality businesses in the south.

The rule changes are designed to enhance competitor safety.

“The main change is the introduction of the Targa Academy, which is compulsory to attend annually for all competitors regardless of experience,” Perry said.

“We want to train and prepare competitors better for the challenges of the event.”

TOP 10 CHANGES

1 – Date change: The event has moved from April/May to November when weather conditions are more stable and roads potentially less slippery and there are more daylight hours to conduct the event each day.

2 – - A new Targa Academy has been established, mandatory course for all competitors to complete annually aimed at increasing their “knowledge and understanding of the event”

3 – Tougher competition licence requirements and licences are valid only for one event

4 – All new entrants must start in the bottom category with a speed limit of 130kph.

5 – If they successfully complete every stage of the event they are eligible to step up a grade to the 160kph category.

6 – A successful completion of that class means they can apply for the new outright class SuperCup with a speed limit of 190kph for the supercars of the event

7 – Circuit racing tyre semi-slick tyres will be banned and competitors will receive reduced penalties for using extra tyres to encourage tactical decisions like those seen in F1.

8 – The three competition levels and three classes[MARK] at each level have been limited to 10 entries per category with entry only available via application and strict criteria relating to competing at the Supercup level

9 – The entire field has been capped at 300 participants (previously 500) of which 200 will take part in the non-competitive Targa tour, speed limited to 120km/h

10 – For the first time Targa Tasmania will start in Hobart and finish in Launceston, breaking from the traditional Launceston to Hobart course. It will continue to visit the East, West and North West coastal regions.