A damning investigation into three deaths that occurred during Targa Tasmania in 2021 has delivered 23 recommendations identifying a race lacking in its ability to respond to serious crashes.
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Shane Navin, Leigh Mundy and Dennis Neagle tragically died within the space of two days in two separate crashes during the April event.
The 23 recommendations range there being a risk the organisers of the race are unable to identify and respond to a "missing" car, drivers being unable to seek assistance on the course in the case of an emergency and driver competence not matching the high-performance potential of their car.
The investigation was released by Motorsport Australia, and said the recommendations needed to implemented immediately, with effect from March 2022.
The tribunal conducting the investigation heard from race competitors, some of who were witness to the immediate aftermath one of the crashes, and saw photos of the crash scenes.
In the final pages of the 61-page report, the tribunal made a comment on where it felt the race had made a significant error.
"This tribunal holds are contrary view. It believes it had a responsibility to comment on this ... This tribunal believes that it is not solely the right and responsibility of each individual to decide the level of risk they are willing to be exposed to," it said.
"The death or serious injury does not just impact the deceased or injured party. It impacts their immediate family both emotionally and financially. It also impacts their friends, and it impacts others involved in the event, in particular the intervention teams and organisers."
Targa Tasmania immediately responded to the report to say it would work with Motorsport Australia to implement all 23 of the recommendations.
Targa Tasmania chief executive Mark Perry said the event cooperated with the tribunal.
"We know that competitor safety, while understanding the inherent risks of motorsport, must be a priority for all of involved in our sport," he said.
"All parties understand that we have much to do in the coming months, but we embrace the challenge that will see safety at our events continue to evolve and improve."
Mr Perry said a Targa event held in North Queensland early in September had implemented 13 of the investigation's findings.
