Targa Tasmania secured for five years after fresh funding deal with state government

Targa Tasmania’s future is assured until at least 2027 as recommendations made following three competitor fatalities last year are rolled out. LATEST DETAILS >>

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TARGA Tasmania’s future is secure for at least another five years,

A new $1.97m funding deal with the state government comes as recommendations made after the death of three competitors last year are progressively rolled out.

Targa Tasmania has signed a deal with the government for 2023-2027 and the event is due to notch up its 30th anniversary in April next year.

Targa Australia CEO Mark Perry said few people would have believed the event would still be going strong three decades after it first kicked off.

“I don’t think anyone at the start would have thought we would be still going strong now,” Mr Perry said.

A Porsche Cayman GT4 in action during the 2021 Targa Tasmania. Picture: Supplied

He said the event was changing and was becoming a touring attraction rather than a pure racing drawcard.

“People like to drive around in their special cars and also have a holiday,” Mr Perry said.

“And the event brings high-end car owners onto the island. It will always be a car race to some extent but it is changing organically.”

He said the 23 recommendations made in a review of the 2021 event after three competitors were killed were being progressively rolled out.

“Thirteen were in place for Targe Great Barrier Reef and then more will come in at Targa High Country in February and then more here,” Mr Perry said.

Those recommendations include speed limits for full competition drivers.

“By the time we get here in April we will be ready to go with all those recommendations.”

Targa report fatalities

Tourism, Hospitality and Events Minister Sarah Courtney said Targa Tasmania was loved by Tasmanians, especially in the regional areas.

“The event also drives huge economic value into those regions,” she said.

“Targa Tasmania is an international motorsport event which is broadcast to more than 130 countries and exposes the Tasmanian brand to major tourism markets.

“Large number of visitors and spectators from both interstate and overseas travel to Tasmania to witness the action, with 80 per cent of Targa competitors travelling from outside of the state to participate.”

The six-day event covers more than 2000km of the state, with about 40 competitive stages and up to 300 cars.

Targa Tasmania returns from April 26 to May 1.

How you can drive your own car in Targa Tasmania 2022

ATTENTION motor fans — if you’ve ever stood on the side of the road watching the Targa Tasmania field whiz by thinking, one day I’d love to try that, here’s your chance.

As a special thank you to Tassie fans on its 30th birthday next year, Targa will allow ordinary punters to enter their cars for a whole day at a bargain price.

For $500, fans can enter their cars for between six to eight stages, depending on the day, and drive on the same roads as the hot-shots like Jason White.

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

Targa event director Mark Perry said almost all types of cars would be eligible and hopes as well as the everyday family driver, some people might dust off classic cars gathering dust in garages and bring them out to play.

It’s all a nod to the support the state has given Targa since it began in the 1990s.

“The Tasmanian community have been right behind Targa from day one in 1992, with literally thousands of people turning out each year to cheer on the cars and crews taking part, while also being there for us in sad times like we experienced earlier this year,” Perry said.

Targa Tasmania CEO Mark Perry. Picture Chris Kidd

“Many Tasmanians have dreamed of taking part just once and we understand that this can be a difficult and expensive exercise.

“So, with there being Touring options these days we thought what better way to thank Tasmanians than to remove these obstacles and make it as easy as we can for Tasmanians to join us in celebrating 30 years of their event, Targa Tasmania.”

Perry said it was the ideal Christmas gift for motor fans.

“The price for the Tasmanian Tour has been set at just $500 for a single day experience like nothing you have ever done before,” he said.

“There are some restrictions on the choice of car, you won’t need an expensive or rare collectable classic fitted out with the latest safety gear in order to take part.

“In fact, this Tour is perfect for the motoring enthusiast who has always wanted to drive on a Targa stage and is happy to do it in the family’s every day transport.”

Spots are limited for this “exclusive and rare opportunity” to take part in one of the world’s greatest motoring experiences in the 30th anniversary event.

For further information and to secure your spot, email [e-mail].