A car road rally in Tasmania has delayed its resumption amid an ongoing coronial investigation into the deaths of four competitors.
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The 31st running of Targa Tasmania, which had already been pushed back after safety reviews, was scheduled for April next year.
Targa Australia announced on Thursday the event would now be held across April and May 2025.
Targa CEO Mark Perry said the further postponement was extremely disappointing but necessary to ensure a strong event in the future.
"In recent weeks it has become clear that the full scope of work needed for a successful return makes running the event in April 2024 an unachievable task," he said.
"While the further delay of our return will be sad news for thousands of people, we must ensure we get everything right first."
Mr Perry said the delay would enable Targa to support an ongoing inquest and implement any recommendations for the 2025 event.
The coroner is examining the deaths of competitors Shane Navin, Leigh Mundy, Dennis Neagle and Anthony Seymour.
Mr Navin, a veteran driver from NSW, was killed in 2021 when he lost control of his 1979 Mazda RX-7 during a stage on the state's west coast.
One day later, Mr Mundy and co-driver Mr Neagle died when their car hit trees south of Hobart.
Mr Seymour died when he lost control near Mount Roland in 2022.
The inquest, which is expected to hold public hearings in mid-2024, will examine driver error, loss of control, car suspension set ups and the rally's stage design.
It is not clear when a final report, potentially containing recommendations, will be handed down.
Targa Australia in July announced it was breaking away from national governing body Motorsport Australia because it had been too slow to implement reform from a safety review.
A review, made public in February, made 94 recommendations for tarmac rallies nationally including average maximum speeds and tiered licensing for drivers.
Tasmania's Events Minister Nic Street said the government supported the 2024 postponement and would continue to back the event.
"Targa Tasmania is an iconic event for our state," he said.
"We will not lose focus on the positive impact the competition has on our visitor economy in all the regions the event travels to."
The government said it would provide funding for the rally until 2029.
Australian Associated Press
