Locals represent at Targa Tasmania

MANSFIELD motorsport legend, Brian Dermott, and his wife Linda, recently crossed the Bass Strait for their final time – in a racing sense, at least – driving their Austin Healey in the Classics category of Targa Tasmania. Following a pre–race briefing where Dermott said it was clear that safety and good behaviour was at a premium, they began their campaign the following day. "We spluttered through the warm up stage and lined up for Georgetown, the race around the town which we used to win," said Dermott. "And stuffed it up, although not as badly as some who crashed through fences and bashed over kerbs. "By the end of the first day we were nearly last of the 24 Classics. "Although we didn't know it at the time, Day 2 would be our last ever day of competition. "We had moved from 22nd to 10th. "We were back on it, confidence and the old will to win flooded back. "Then suddenly, brutally, catastrophically, it was all over. "The text message stared back: 'we are deeply saddened by the news of the fatality today and all competitions have been cancelled'." The tragedy was followed by a split of competitors, with many leaving early while many stayed on to complete the course in tour fashion. It was a bittersweet end for the Dermotts who participated in the rainy and foggy touring before receiving their 25th Targa plate, a 15 year award and induction into the Targa Hall of Fame. But it wasn't all gloomy, a symbolic passing of the torch between locals perhaps providing a shining light. "Dear friend and rising star (AKA The King of Mansfield) David Blunden also entered in Early Modern 2WD, with his fire breathing Skyline and his navigator Rob Sheppard had organised a separate team," said Dermott. "I was fairly cautious on day one," said Blunden of his first time in the Tasmanian event. "I wasn't going to take risks until it felt right and we'd warmed into the event. "A lot can go wrong in a town stage like the second at Georgetown, which is twice as long as Mansfield's town stage, but come day two I was getting a bit more into it, gaining more confidence." Blunden, who'd attended two safety briefings prior to the race – one specifically for first timers – was as saddened and disappointed as anyone when the news came through. The fatality follows three which occurred in two separate incidents at the event last year. "It was devastating to hear of the tragedy," said Blunden, who decided to stay on touring. "The day after was understandably subdued, but it was a highlight just being there, the camaraderie in the touring and dinners afterwards. "The experience I gained – particularly with the wet weather driving – had we withdrawn I wouldn't have had that opportunity to experience." So while it was a sombre end to 57 years of motorsport for Brian Dermott, a local motorsport legend with myriad accomplishments, David Blunden says he's been a wonderful mentor for him coming into the sport, a sport he looks forward to continuing while flying the flag for Mansfield in years to come.

Locals represent at Targa Tasmania

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