IT WAS back to business for the Targa Tasmania field yesterday and, despite a few near-misses, the only injuries were a few bruised egos.
The 200-strong field tackled eight stages through the state's North-East and five competitors crashed their cars -- two of them rolled.
Despite some sad-looking vehicles, there wasn't so much as a scratch on a competitor and the Targa transport bus was kept busy collecting teams needing a ride.
The event continued after the tragedy on Wednesday when John Mansell, 71, of Newcastle, was killed when his Porsche hit a tree on the Deloraine stage.
His navigator, Tristan Catford, 26, of NSW, is still in Launceston General Hospital with severe neck injuries, but is expected to make a full recovery.
The two, particularly Mansell, were in the forefront of the minds of competitors yesterday, especially defending champion Jason White, who knew him.
"He was a hell of a bloke and it's rattled all of us," White said.
"We were good mates with him as most of the Targa community was.
"He was one of the smiliest, most likable blokes around the place.
"It's a real shame and everyone's definitely feeling it and I'm sure we will all be remembering him as we do the rest of it."
White said there was no need for anyone to withdraw from the event.
"It's more of a case that he realised the risks and was doing exactly what he loved to do," he said.
"And to all of us who are doing this, it is actually the purest form of living."
Day two was a testing course, particularly for Rockhampton mechanic Wayne Menzies, who rolled his Lancer Evo IX on Rossarden. It was his first Targa Tasmania.
"We came over the crest and got a bit of air and, with the road wet and slippery, we lost control and over we went a couple of times," he said.
NSW team Peter and Trent Avery did the same thing on Elephant Pass.
They went bush and a rescue unit used a chainsaw to clear tree limbs so their Lancer Evo VIII could be pulled out.
Only a handful of the 200-strong field has pulled out so far, and another eight stages through the state's west will test the teams today. Targa finishes in Hobart on Sunday.
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