The national motorsport regulator says it intends to issue a permit for the cars component of the 2023 Finke Desert Race "subject to specific safety measures being implemented", amid uncertainty over the status of the event.
It comes after the Finke Desert Race revealed Motorsport Australia (MSA) was yet to issue a permit, saying the event committee remained in discussion with MSA, with the support of the Northern Territory government.
The announcement follows the conclusion of a coronial inquest into the death of a spectator at the 2021 event, where a competing vehicle veered off the track and into a group of people.
In a statement on Thursday afternoon, an MSA spokesperson said: "Following extensive discussions with the Finke Desert Race organisers, the NT government, NT Police, and other key stakeholders, Motorsport Australia can confirm it intends to issue a permit for this year's event, subject to specific safety measures being implemented."
"The decision is also subject to the final approval of the Motorsport Australia Board," the statement read.
"These measures will be outlined in the coming days and weeks as work continues in preparation for the 2023 race."
The MSA spokesperson also said spectators would have a "significant role to play" in ensuring the event ran smoothly into the future.
"Should the event proceed, there will be a zero-tolerance approach to any inappropriate spectator behaviour throughout the 2023 event," the spokesperson said.
"Organisers will have no option in stopping the race should spectators fail to follow the instructions of officials and event staff."
Discussions remain 'ongoing'
Earlier on Thursday, a spokesperson for the Finke Desert Race said discussions over the permit were "ongoing", less than a month out from the event's scheduled start.
"The Finke Desert Race Committee hopes to reach a resolution soon," the statement read.
"The outcome of the final decision will be communicated as soon as possible.
"The Finke Desert Race Committee thanks all competitors, crews, sponsors, contractors, and the Alice Springs community for their continued patience."
On Wednesday, a spokesperson said MSA was yet to issue a permit for the cars component of the race "as a result of evidence during the inquest".
They said the bike component of the race was expected to go ahead as planned, with governing body Motorcycling Australia giving its support.
The inquest into the death of Nigel Harris heard evidence that recommendations from several safety reports written in the years leading up to the fatal incident were not acted on by the Finke committee or MSA.
Following the 2021 event, a number of measures were introduced to improve safety including roving spectator marshalls, "no-go zones", and requiring spectators to keep at least 20 metres from the track at all times.
However, counsel assisting the coroner Jodi Truman told the court elements of a recommended spectator safety plan provided to the Finke committee by MSA were absent at the 2022 event, including designated spectator zones.
Racers 'already committed'
Long-time Finke Desert Race competitor and 2012 King of the Desert Brad Gallard said the uncertainty for this year's competitors so close to the race was challenging and potentially expensive.
"I know a lot of competitors that are already up there and prepping," he said.
"They've already made a big commitment to it."
Gallard said the cost varied for competitors with "some teams spending anywhere from $15,000 to $100,000" to get to Alice Springs.
Competitors could also lose valuable sponsorship deals if the race did not go ahead.
"People [will] miss out on those thousands of dollars in sponsorship," he said.
"It does certainly hurt their [race] program."
Since its inception almost 50 years ago, the Finke has grown into one of the world's most revered off-road races, which sees competitors navigate 230 kilometres of treacherous desert track between Alice Springs and the remote community of Finke — and back again.
More than 10,000 revheads from interstate and overseas descend on the small outback town on the June long weekend each year — this year for the King's birthday — providing a huge boost to tourism and hospitality businesses and injecting millions of dollars into the local economy.
