A rally car driver from NSW has died in a crash on the second-last day of the Targa Tasmania race.
Veteran competitor Shane Navin, 68, was killed after his red 1979 Mazda RX-7 rolled about 10am on Friday on the Lyell Highway in the state’s remote west.
His co-driver, Glenn Evans, was uninjured, a statement from race organisers said.
“This is a very sad time for the Targa community. Shane was a much loved and admired member of our Targa family,” Targa Australia chief executive Mark Perry said.
“We send our heartfelt condolences to Shane’s family and friends on their loss.”
Emergency crews were unable to revive Navin after the crash, about 35 kilometres into the Mount Arrowsmith stage of the race.
The 2,000km Targa Tasmania event, which began on April 19, will continue and is set to finish on Saturday.
Police are investigating the smash and a report will be prepared for the coroner.
It is the third fatal crash in the event’s 26-year history.
In 2013, 71-year-old NSW driver John Mansell was killed when his Porsche ran off the road and into a tree at Exton.
Melbourne navigator Ian Johnson died in 1996 after a crash in the state’s northwest.
“Our thoughts are with Mr Navin’s family and his loved ones at this difficult time,” police said in a statement.
The highway has been closed to southbound motorists.
Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein also extended his sympathies to Navin’s friends and family.
“Any death on our roads is tragic,” he said.
