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AAP
AAP
National
Ethan James

Rally driver deaths inquest to probe speed, design

An inquest into four Targa Tasmania rally deaths will examine course design. (HANDOUT/MARK HORSBURGH)

Course design will be examined as part of an inquest into the deaths of four competitors in three separate crashes in Targa Tasmania rally events.

Veteran driver Shane Navin, 68, was killed on April 23, 2021 during the second last day of racing when he lost control of his 1979 Mazda RX-7.

A day later Hobart's Leigh Mundy, 68, and co-driver Dennis Neagle, 59, from Queensland died when their car veered off the road and hit trees.

In 2022, Anthony Seymour's car rolled after he lost control on the Mount Roland stage of the event. 

An inquest into their deaths will investigate driver error, loss of control, car suspension set ups and the rally's stage design. 

Speed and high performance cars were involved in three of deaths, aspects which "needed to be investigated", counsel assisting Sara-Jane Knott told a coroner during an pre-inquest conference on Monday.

She said Mr Navin's car hit a bump travelling about 100km/h, causing him to lose control on a section where there was no safety barrier. 

Mr Mundy and Mr Neagle lost control of their 2019 Porsche 911 after approaching a crest at 188.5km/h. 

Mr Seymour's car went through a wire barrier and rolled down an embankment after he drove over a cattle grate at more than 100km/h in wet conditions. 

There had been two minor crashes earlier in the same spot, Ms Knott said in Hobart Magistrates Court.

The inquest is expected to be held in mid-2024. 

In July, organisers of Targa Tasmania announced they were breaking away from governing body Motorsport Australia because it was taking too long to implement recommendations from a safety review. 

Targa Australia in August said it would hold a Tasmanian event in April 2024 under its own race regulations. 

Targa Australia describes the Tasmanian event as the "longest and hardest" tarmac rally in the world.

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