The Australian motorsport community is in mourning after the death of a competitor during the Northern Territory’s annual Finke Desert Race.
In a statement, race officials tragically confirmed there had been a casualty on Sunday.
“The Finke Desert Race mourns the loss of a rider during Race Day 1,” the statement reads.
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“A competitor died at the scene along the first half of the route from Alice Springs to Aputula/Finke.
“The committee are deeply saddened by this loss and extend their deepest sympathies and condolences to the rider’s family and friends.
“We ask all to respect the privacy of the family, friends and those who have been impacted by this incident.
“We appreciate the efforts of all emergency services, first respondents, officials and volunteers.
“The Finke Desert Race is providing ongoing support at both ends of the route.
“A police investigation is underway.”
The Finke Desert Race is Australia’s richest off-road race, taking place on the King’s Birthday weekend every year, 70kms from Alice Springs.
Supercars legend Craig Lowndes is among the competitors at this year’s event.
Sunday’s tragedy is not the first time the Finke Desert Race has made headlines for the wrong reasons.
Two years ago, an unexpected explosion of a shock absorber injured six fans at the race.
Six Victorians, aged between 18 and 23, were injured during a “serious campfire mishap”.
Five of those men were flown interstate for treatment, two to the Royal Prince Alfred in Sydney and three to the Royal Adelaide Hospital.
In 2023, young rider Zac Watson was been told he will never walk again after being paralysed from the chest down while training for the Finke Desert Race.
The Mount Gambier local was in Alice Springs as part of his preparation for the race when he suffered a life-changing fall.
Watson was airlifted to hospital and underwent emergency surgery.
