Emergency services were called at 9:30am local time (12.30pm AEDT), after a motorcycle crash during the event outside Kalgoorlie, approximately 600km east of Perth.
A man in his 50s was taken to Kalgoorlie Hospital but was unable to be revived, police confirmed.
“The Kalgoorlie Desert Race can confirm a fatality has occurred on Saturday 21 October as part of the Motorcycle component during the first day of competition,” event organisers said in a statement.
Adding: “The Kalgoorlie Desert Race extends its condolences to the family, friends and wider off road community.”
Event organisers are now working with Motorcycling Australia and Motorcycling Western Australia as they investigate the incident, as well as assisting the WA Police and Worksafe.
The Kalgoorlie Desert Race is an off-road event which bills itself as ”a dynamic and challenging discipline” which is attracting “a surge of racers eager to embrace the excitement and test their mettle”.
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Saturday morning’s event involved motorcyclists undertaking a gruelling 121 km circuit of rough desert terrain.
All racing was called off on Saturday and it remains unclear whether the event will continue on Sunday as originally planned.
Statement in full from organisers
“The Kalgoorlie Desert Race can confirm a fatality has occurred on Saturday 21 October as part of the Motorcycle component during the first day of competition.
“Event organisers are currently working with Motorcycling Australia and Motorcycling Western Australia, and providing support to those at the track, as well as assisting the WA Police and Worksafe. The next of kin has been advised.
“The Kalgoorlie Desert Race extends its condolences to the family, friends and wider off road community.”
