Overview

• Tasmanian coroner Simon Cooper ruled that excessive speed and driver error were the primary causes of four fatalities during the 2021 and 2022 Targa Tasmania rally stages
• All of the deceased competitors were over 59 and had pre-existing medical conditions, highlighting gaps in physical and mental health screenings for entrants
• Cooper questioned the suitability of track-designed racing cars on public roads, noting their lack of purpose-built safety features for variable surfaces and weather
• A 2023 internal review generated 94 safety recommendations, most of which have now been implemented by Targa Tasmania and Motorsport Australia
• The six-day, 1,900-kilometre rally is set to return in November 2025 with a new spring timeslot and enhanced safety protocols