The Aussie depository.....

I don't know what to say, speed limited to 200ks didn't do much. I do hate to see them write off some great old cars not to mention kill themselves. As said the throttle works both ways, ambition over talent, not racing for sheep stations. Mixing some of the greatest pro drivers ever eg Jim Richards who has won EVERYTHING with alpha male amateurs in cars with massive performance on public roads, what could go wrong.
 
Would be interested to know what people's opinion is on this. As I live bang smack in an area where one of these events is held and being a first responder I may have different views to the mainstream.
 
After watching vids of the NW 200 race series in N Ireland, Targa Tas looks positively safe! As much as I think individuals have the right to decide if they risk themselves or not, I'm not surprised in this nanny-state age of incessant focus on speed restriction that they would shaft an event like Targa Tas.

I think the IoM and NW are so well attended and spectated that there's a louder body of protest at suggestions of cancelling them.
 
Interesting point of view, and everybody is entitled to one.
My neck of the woods is directly affected by the rally held here. The roads through the hills can be closed off for up to eight hours, I'm not talking about minor roads, these roads connect communities and towns, causing disruption to people trying to go about their daily business, these disruptions can last up to a week.
As a member of the local emergency services, we do get called out when there is a prang, of which there have been many; the first one involved one of the organisers who was trapped in his car and was incinerated, the organisers tried to shift the blame on to the emergency service for taking too long to get on scene. The second one involved a motorcyclist who was killed when one of the competitors turned across the road in front of him during a transport section (road open to the general public), the organisers tried to protect the driver who quickly returned overseas but not before one of the first responders had to be physically restrained when the driver was seem lamenting the damage to his Merc.
I guess it all depends how you are effected by these events but I can assure you that, contrary to the PR put out by the organisers, these 'tarmac rallies' are held in disdain and contempt by most of the people who are affected one way or another.
I guess anybody reading this will know on what side of the fence I stand.
 
Interesting, to be honest, I found it amazing how many of these happen in Nanny state oz. It's like The Mille Miglia recreated in modern times, even with that banned in the 1950s in racing mad Italy.
 
Can see where you are coming from, entitled arseholes stuffing it for everyone else. In '94, Dickheads in an F40 on Stuart Highway killed themselves and 2 marshalls at a canonball run. Slowing from +300 literally drove through a checkpoint.

The NT open limit was always under threat after that. It became election fodder until they imposed a 110 limit in '07, later increased to 130.
 
Mille Miglia is a time trial, not out and out racing. Same goes for the bike events such as Moto Giro and Milano-Taranto. Get caught going over the limit, anywhere, you're out! Quite simple actually.

Lots of aggro during the 2015 Mi-Ta event I participated in. 3 or 4 big accidents involving participants and marshalls and many police-recorded speed infringements, organisers pleaded every evening for us to behave ourselves! Seems this year each bike will be fitted with a transponder... wonder why?

piet
 
In Australia, there are approximately twice as many people killed in ball sports (football, rugby, etc.) than in motor sport. But there seems to be a louder reaction when someone is killed in motor sport, and governments seem more likely to make knee-jerk reactions that are poorly thought through.

Targa Tasmania does cause some disruption to local residents, and I don't really know what benefits it brings to the state. Presumably it injects a few dollars into the local economy. Personally, I don't really care if it stays or goes. It doesn't have much relevance to me. Much like the Sydney-Hobart yacht race, it's just rich boys playing with their toys. There was a big outcry to ban the Sydney-Hobart after the disastrous 1998 race when 5 yachts sank and 6 sailors died, but when the media storm died down nothing changed. I wouldn't be surprised if Targa stays the same once the dust has settled.

The drivers (and yacht sailors, and footballers) all know and accept the risks of their respective sports. They probably don't want legislators sticking their nose in and hamstringing their sport.
 
Maybe there are more people killed in ball sports than in motor sport because the are more bods kicking balls around :unsure: .
Four drivers killed in a specific event in one year, can't think of any other motorsport in Australia that has claimed four lives over the same time period.
Have not mentioned the pros and cons of this particular type of sporting event, only how it affects the locals. Something that doesn't seem to get much coverage.
Suppose it all boils down to 'Money Talks'.
 
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