Fatal Accident at Classic Adelaide Rally

Classic Adelaide rally organizers announced the driver and co-driver of a car competing in the South Australian event were killed in a crash today.

They were driver Gary Tierney, 60, and co-driver David Carra, 43, both from Melbourne.

Their 1974 Porsche 911RS skidded off a right-hand bend and struck a tree on Norsworthy Road, Forreston, about 40 kilometres north-east of Adelaide. The crash happened on Special Stage 6, a 7.24 km test called Kersbrook Reverse, on day one of four on the 13th annual rally.

An emergency medical vehicle stationed at the start of the stage attended the crash, but both crew members were pronounced dead at the scene.

The pair was running eighth out of 47 cars in the Late Classic Competition category at the time of the crash.

Rally officials stopped the stage and the road was closed for several hours until late tonight.

The rally will continue tomorrow, but immediately before the 8 am start in Adelaide’s Victoria Square, fellow competitors, support crews and officials will be led in a prayer and a minute’s silence by rally chaplain David Vaughan.

Tierney and Carra were well regarded rally competitors with many years’ experience in tarmac events around Australia.

Carra’s brother Andrew said: “David absolutely loved his rallying. Everyone has to jump off this life eventually and he did it doing what he absolutely loved.”

Classic Adelaide Clerk of Course Ivar Stanelis extended the event’s deepest condolences to the victim’s families and support crew.

“We all understand that motor racing can be dangerous despite the extensive safety systems in place, but that does nothing to alleviate the great sadness we now feel for the victims and their loved ones today,” Mr Stanelis said.

A full inquiry into the crash will be conducted by police and motorsport authorities.

[Source: Classic Adelaide]