Targa Adelaide death

[Jim Goose]

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-08-2...elaide/4220994

A driver has died in the Australian Targa Championship rally in southern Adelaide after a car hit a tree and rolled in mid-air, ending up in a paddock.

The crash happened on Main Road at Chandlers Hill during the Clarendon stage of the rally in the Adelaide hills.

The injured navigator in the vehicle has been airlifted to hospital after the accident which occurred just after 1pm (ACST).

Michael Ceruto was an eyewitness as the tragedy unfolded.

He said a Mitsubishi Lancer slid around a corner at about 100 kph, then hit a tree and rolled three times in mid-air before ending up in a paddock.
Audio: Michael Ceruto saw the Targa Adelaide fatal crash (ABC News)

Mr Ceruto said a bump in the road and slippery surface may have caused the driver to lose control.

Rally organisers and the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport have issued a statement, saying they are deeply saddened about the death and working with authorities as they investigate the circumstances.

In late 2009, two competitors died in another rallying event in South Australia when their car hit a tree at Forreston in the Adelaide hills.

There was also a rally death back in 1997 when former Grand Prix executive Ian Cocks died in an Adelaide hills crash.

Very sad to hear...