TARGA update: Perry declares 2024 as defining year
Whilst there will be no TARGA events in 2024 with the coroners inquest still to be held on August 25, CEO Mark Perry has stressed this year as the most important in TARGA Tasmania’s history.
Since the date has been locked in for the coroners inquest into the deaths at the 2021 and 2022 TARGA Tasmania events, the push toward the return of the event in 2025 has further ramped up with a discussion opened on the new Draft Regulations.
Some of the changes put forth via the new Draft Regulations include:
• the return of the Rookie Rallye in a speed limited form
• an updated licence system, which sees the removal of the Super Licence
• removal of the Supercar list and replaced with a Modern Category 1 list, which retains the same licence but will require greater experience to compete in these vehicles
• tyres have been increased to eight
• Mechanical freedoms that do not impact safety have been added to overcome availability challenges and reduce costs, especially for those in Classic and Early Modern vehicles. Thanks again to all those who provided great input into this area
• clarifications on cages, seats, foam, and ABS, are included
• derived time system has been updated and streamlined
• overtaking and reconnaissance requirements have been updated
• and many more…
Targa CEO Mark Perry has been highly active in communicating with members on TARGA’s future. Image: ABC pics
Perry has spent the last half a year in constant communication with members and competitors to ensure that the return of TARGA Tasmania not only goes ahead, but goes ahead as relevant tarmac rally that remains healthy for the future generations to enjoy.
“It will take patience, understanding, compromise, engagement, input, support, prayers, vision and innovation from every member of the TARGA family to overcome the challenges that are obvious for all to see,” Perry said in his regular communications.
“To survive, TARGA Tasmania must remain an all-embracing destination tourism event that appeals to motorsport competitors and driving enthusiasts alike.
“This year, a year where there will not be a TARGA event, will be the most important year in the history of TARGA Tasmania. This is the year that we will SAVE TARGA Tasmania!”
“TARGA must continue to travel to all corners of Tasmania and cannot be shortened to a generic and homogenised loop-style rally based in a single location.
“There is a surplus of these events around the world but there is only one TARGA Tasmania; we must save it for us to continue to enjoy, but importantly we must save it so future generations can also experience the journey of a lifetime. A journey of freedom and the sorts of things that we have all taken for granted for the last three decades.”
Perry stresses that the event must still traverse the greater area of Tasmania to hold onto its roots and relevancy. Pictured: The Queenstown stage, one of the classics of TARGA Tasmania. Image: TARGA
The version 1.0 of the Draft Regulations received over 300 responses after Perry released them to get a handle on opinions from members and competitors, with the more defined Draft Regulations 2.0 being formed.
There is also a beginners guide on the way for new competitors in order to properly digest the experience in 2025.
Perry – a competitor himself from the late 90’s – said that the overarching theme in the feedback was to return the event to what it once was.
“…Others may say that this is a ‘rose coloured glasses’ view and you can never go back, but I feel there is some middle ground needing to be found to ensure a long and successful future for TARGA Tasmania.
“In essence, there is a very strong feeling amongst many of you that TARGA Tasmania needs to have less competitions, far more categories to replace these, a merged TARGA plate system which is not impacted by where you choose to compete, and a range of new TARGA plates and awards to incentivise people to keep coming back and focus on winning these awards instead of chasing outright results and championship points.
“For me, it made for compelling reading and as someone who competed in the late 1990s, I could relate to what many of you were saying.”
Perry also encourages people and those with a passion for TARGA to download the SAVE TARGA banner to their social pages (as seen below).
Stay tuned in with AUTO ACTION both online and in print to get all your TAGRA updates from the desk of CEO Mark Perry.
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