The national governing body for motorsport, Motorsport Australia (MSA), has been accused of failing to provide adequate safety measures for spectators at the Finke Desert Race, leading up to the death of a spectator in 2021. 

The iconic off-road race sees competitors navigate a treacherous desert track through Central Australia. 

The Finke committee was responsible for organising the race, but MSA sanctioned the event. 

The Northern Territory coroner, Elisabeth Armitage, resumed an inquest a month before this year's event to examine the adequacy of safety measures. 

The coroner's counsel stated that both the MSA and the Finke committee were aware of the extreme danger posed to spectators for years but did “little to nothing” to mitigate the risks. 

Despite warnings and recommendations in safety reports, none of the concerns were addressed. 

The MSA admitted to not acting on the recommendations of a safety report and acknowledged that they failed to provide resources and qualified individuals to address safety concerns. 

The inquest also raised questions about the Finke committee's ability to organise a race like Finke. 

Throughout the inquest, senior MSA staff and all members of the Finke committee declined to give evidence. 

Judge Armitage also questioned MSA's “increasing levels of secrecy” and a lack of transparency around safety issues.

More details are accessible here.