Competitors including accomplished race driver and TV celebrity Grant Denyer have chosen to continue on the TARGA Tasmania 30 Tour today in Tasmania’s west.

The reigning TARGA High Country champion Jeff Morton has elected to continue for the remainder of the event with his wife joining him from Sydney.

The event continues today as a downgraded tour on closed roads but at signposted road speed limits.

Jeff Morton (2019 Porsche 911 GT2 RS). Image: Otherside Productions

Good morning folks, this is just a reminder that all scheduled road closures for TARGA will remain in place for the duration of the event.

The tour groups and competition cars who have agreed to continue, will be going through each stage at signposted road speeds.

Motorsport Australia and TARGA can confirm the remainder of TARGA Tasmania will be downgraded to a non-competitive tour event.

The decision follows the tragic passing of a competitor on Wednesday afternoon.

While cars will continue to drive on closed roads, drivers will now be limited the signposted speed limits for the remainder of the event.

Those who have entered into the competitive stages will be given the opportunity to join the Tour.

TARGA CEO Mark Perry said the decision to downgrade TARGA Tasmania was a difficult one, but necessary so the incident could be fully investigated and understood.

“It has been another tough day for all our TARGA community and we offer our sincere condolences to the family and friends so impacted by this tragedy. Their loss is immense and we feel their pain. This is a very sad time,” Perry said.

“The change to downgrade the event to touring only was a difficult one for all of us to make but one that was necessary in the current circumstances as we work through this difficult time.

“So much has been done to make this sport safer since our event 12 months ago but we have still lost a member of the TARGA family, and we all need time to further reflect.”

Motorsport Australia Director of Motorsport Michael Smith said the governing body supported the decision.

“On behalf of everyone at Motorsport Australia, we offer our sympathies to those impacted by this tragedy,” Smith said.

“We are now working closely with the Tasmanian Police and emergency services, along with TARGA event organisers as the investigation into the incident begins.

“We will continue to offer our support to the entire TARGA community, including our officials and competitors.”

Motorsport Australia and TARGA will provide further information over the coming days.

With great sadness TARGA Tasmania can confirm a male competitor has died in a single vehicle crash on Olivers Road, Mount Roland, this afternoon.

Around 3.30pm today, a vehicle participating in Targa Tasmania crashed over an embankment on a closed section of the event.   

No other vehicles were involved. 

Police and emergency services were called to the scene, however the man sadly died. The female front seat passenger received non life threatening injuries in the crash. 

Police do not have permission from the man’s family to release his name at this time. 

The crash is being investigated by police. 

The road remains closed while a crash investigation is carried out. 

A report will be prepared for the Coroner.

Targa Australia CEO Mark Perry said: :”The thoughts of our the entire TARGA community are with our fellow competitor’s family and his loved ones at this extremely difficult time. We feel deeply for them all.”

“We will work with Tasmania Police and Motorsport Australia to understand the full circumstances of the accident.

“For now, matters around TARGA Tasmania for this year is part of an on-going discussion with our partners, Motorsport Australia, and we will announce more once our plans have been finalised.”

More details to come tomorrow.

After TS 7 Jason and John White are up to 22nd in the overall standings, after starting the day in 133rd place. They matched Maguire with the fastest time on that stage.

The 1989 Porsche 944S2 (Prieston/Braithwaite) is off on TS 7 (Mt Roland) all okay.

#827 (Andrew Penny/Kirra Penney 1999 Subaru Impreza), #670 (Ben Manion/Mitchell Lukasz 1989 Nissan Skyline) and now #927 (Peter Nunn/Keith Johnstone 2019 Porsche 911 GT2 RS) have fallen behind #999

There are reports of slippery stages as the field converges on the lunch stop at Sheffield.

The 1988 Peugeot 205 GTi of Callum O’Callaghan/Harry Hope and 1973 Datsun 204Z of Grant Chugg/Damien Roach stopped on the Nook stage. All okay.

Anthony Sandy/Keith Littlewood (2011 Renault Megane RS250) had an accident on the Paloona stage.

All okay.