Brisbane driver dies in Targa Tasmania race a year after triple tragedy, event downgraded

The Targa Tasmania car rally has again been marred by a fatal crash, a year after a triple tragedy shocked the racing fraternity.

The death has prompted organisers to downgrade this year's race to a non-competitive tour event.

A 59-year-old Brisbane driver died when he and his wife crashed over a steep embankment on Olivers Road, Mount Roland, with their car coming to a stop against a tree 20 metres down.

The woman, also 59, received non-life-threatening injuries and was able to walk away from the crash.

She has been taken to Launceston General Hospital for observation overnight.

No names have been released.

Police Inspector Darren Hopkins said the crash was in a «very remote location» in northern Tasmania, and officials were using a crane to recover the car.

«We've got absolutely no idea at this point as to what caused the crash,» he said.

«The crash investigators are at the scene now. 

»The conditions aren't very conducive to getting photos and data from the road, so they'll be returning tomorrow and the following day to do a survey."

Targa Australia chief executive Mark Perry said he was «totally devastated by what happened».

«It's hard to put words to it for us right now, after last year and all the work we've done, after the 90-minute briefing we gave everyone the other day … we swing towards devastation and we've just got to accept the loss.

»It's just hard to talk right now, to be honest. We're totally devastated given we worked so hard to improve the race."

He said the pair were experienced racers and the course would have been very familiar to them.

«It's a long-term stage for us, it's not new, it's not unfamiliar to any of the competitors and particularly to this crew,» Mr Perry said. 

«It's not a new stretch of road, it's a