Marshals to patrol Finke Desert Race this year following death of spectator | NT Independent

Marshals to patrol Finke Desert Race this year following death of spectator

by | May 31, 2022 | Alice, News | 0 comments

Race marshals will now be part of the Northern Territory’s Finke Desert Race in an effort to improve safety after a spectator died last year when he was hit by a car 35km from the finish line near Alice Springs.

During the 2021 race event, a racing vehicle struck spectators killing one and hospitalising two others including the driver, subsequently cancelling the event.

“Marshals will play an important role in protecting both spectators and competitors by ensuring adherence to the recommended spectating distance and providing safety information to the public,” race organizers said in a statement.

“Spectator marshals will be located trackside at high-density spectator areas and will be responsible for reporting competitor accidents and serious spectator incidents,” they said.

The race organizers also now require race fans to stand at least 20 metres back from the race track in any areas of the course where there is no fencing.

Likewise, temporary structures, vehicles and campsites are banned within 30 metres of the track.

Considered among the biggest sporting events in the Territory, the desert race is held annually on the Queen’s Birthday long weekend in June and is expected to attract more than 10,000 fans this year.

The race is an off-road multi-terrain two-day event for motorbikes, cars, buggies and quad bikes that runs from Alice Springs to Aputula (Finke community).

 

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