The Finke Desert Race is a two-day race through harsh desert terrain, notorious in racing circles for the challenges it throws at those who dare to compete.
The event can also be dangerous to the thousands of spectators it draws each year, with news a man in his 60s was killed while watching this year's event.
Here's what we know about the annual desert race — and why it has a reputation as one of Australia's most challenging off-road courses.
Where is the Finke Desert Race?
The Finke Desert Race takes competitors through the Central Australian outback between Alice Springs and the remote community of Aputula, also known as Finke.
The dirt track is about 230 kilometres each way, and the race goes for two days as competitors drive to the community and back.
It is held every year on the Queen's birthday long weekend.
This year it ran from Friday, June 11 to Monday, June 14.
The remainder of the race was cancelled on Monday after a spectator was killed and two other people were injured.
What happened?
NT Police said they were alerted at about 9:40am that a competing off-road racing vehicle had struck a group of spectators near the track.
The incident took place about 35 kilometres from the start/finish line at the Alice Springs end of the track, and just a short while after winner Toby Price finished the course at about 9:00am.
Witnesses described seeing a truck cresting a sand dune but losing control upon landing and veering into some bystanders.
Police confirmed a man in his 60s was struck by the vehicle and died at the scene.
Two people in their 50s — a male spectator who was seriously injured and a female navigator with minor injuries — were flown to hospital in Alice Springs.
Can anyone enter the Finke?
Registration is open to amateurs and professionals alike, but entrants have to attend scrutineering and prologue events before vehicles can hit the track.
This year, registration for the Finke — which opened in February — booked out in less than 10 minutes.
Entrants take competing in the event very seriously.Finke began in 1976 as a motorbike-only race.
A second category allowing cars and off-road buggies to compete was added the following decade.
Organisers said there were more than 900 entrants in this year's race
Where are spectators allowed to stand?
The race is a major event on the Alice Springs tourism calendar.
Each year, people gather from far and wide to camp alongside the track and watch the race unfold.
But the event's website warns spectators that some areas are unsafe to stand and camp in, because vehicles can overshoot the track.
Attendees are banned from standing or camping near tight corners, hairpin turns and jumps, for example.
Spectators are also warned to stand well back from the track during racing, because cars and bikes travel at very high speeds in dusty conditions.
What is the race known for?
The Finke has a reputation as a notoriously challenging track, thwarting even highly skilled drivers as they battle red dirt, sand dunes and spinifex.
The lure of conquering the track has drawn many people to compete multiple times, including Toby Price, who claimed a historic seventh win on Monday.
Some of those people have spoken about the near-death experiences they faced in their bid to cross the line in first place.
The unique lure of the race was explored in the 2018 documentary Finke: There and Back.
