Crash at drifting may lead to probe

The organiser of an inaugural Whangarei motorsport event is defending its safety standards after a spectator was injured after a car slammed into a barrier.
Department of Labour acting service manager Rod Gibbon said the department was notified of the incident at the D1NZ National Drifting Championships on Saturday and was making inquiries to identify what follow-up action might be needed.
In order to continue, it needed to establish whether  the event was classified as a workplace, he said.
Witnesses have told the Advocate  that the woman, in her twenties, was standing behind safety barriers on Port Rd when a car  crashed through three rows, hitting the woman.
She was driven away in a private car with what was understood to be a broken leg or ankle.
However, organiser Brendon White said a barrier struck the woman's ankle after the car slammed into it. "She's okay now and was seen drinking later at the after party," he said.
Motorsport New Zealand general manager Brian Budd said he was waiting on a report from an official who attended the event.
"We have our own processes and systems for dealing with such incidents. The crash will be investigated if it's highlighted."
On Friday, a group of adults and spectators had to step aside  as a car crashed through the barriers and stopped near where they had been standing.
Organisers said at the time they were confident the event was safe for spectators.
Yesterday, Mr White said spectators were repeatedly told to stand back from the barriers but became "excited".
"A message was broadcast over the sound system to ensure the area was kept clear so officials could do their jobs, but it was also for everyones's safety."
It would have helped if the crowd had been kept back and it wasn't satisfactory that someone got hurt - but all guidelines had been met, Mr White said.
"We did everything Motorsports NZ asked us to do plus we put in some extra concrete barriers where they weren't needed.
"It's unfortunate it happened but with motorsports these kinds of things happen. We do out utmost to protect to the safety of spectators."
 A Motorsports NZ  steward was at the scene  "and spoke to the girl before giving the okay to continue", Mr White said.
"As far as I am aware no review is going on."
Whangarei District Council spokesperson Ann Midson said safety management during a private event is the responsibility of the event organiser. A traffic plan was submitted to and approved by council, she said.