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. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow “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.
Finke Desert Race, Northern Territory, Race Day 1, rider death, Alice Springs, Aputula, Finke, police investigation, Craig Lowndes
RIP, race day 1 just hits different. Praying for everyone.
How does a rider die like that and they don’t say anything else? First half of the route… was it like a crash or some mechanical thing? Seems like every year someone gets hurt there.
They say police investigation but it’s basically always “too fast for conditions” right? Also I remember the shock absorber explosion and that’s probably the same kind of stuff, like random failures. I feel bad but these races are sketchy.
Wait this is the off-road race near Alice Springs? I thought Craig Lowndes would’ve been safe because he’s like Supercars famous, but then again stuff happens out there. The article mentions a kid who can’t walk again too which is just… awful. Honestly they should shut it down if there’s that many incidents, but I guess money talks.