Summernats co-owner Andy Lopez says people rushing to judgement on social media over Friday's ute riding death should consider the victim, Luke Newsome's, friends and family.
Mr Newsome, 30, from Emerald in Queensland, fell from the tray of a utility on Thursday and died in Canberra Hospital on Friday afternoon.
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Man dies riding ute at Summernats car festival
A 30-year-old Queensland man has died after falling off the back of a ute at the Summernats car festival in Canberra.
Police are still investigating the death, and Mr Lopez said any decisions on whether a ban on riding in the back of utes would be extended would depend on that investigation.
He also hit out at people who had criticised the people in the ute at the time of Mr Newsome's death, saying they had been unfairly targeted on social media and were feeling terrible about their friend.
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"I would like to really extend my sympathies and care to the other people involved in the incident," Mr Lopez said. "They are going through a really terrible time.
"People commentating on social media and playing the blame game need to pull their head[s] in and have a real good think about what they are saying.
"Pointing the finger is just rubbish behaviour."
Recent Facebook posts had included unsubstantiated claims, including that Summernats was now in danger of being closed down.
Mr Lopez, who thanked the police and the ACT government for their support and assistance, has not ruled out a Summernats tribute to Mr Newsome but said now was not the time.
"I think there is a real natural desire by everyone to see a tribute being paid but I don't feel it is our right to do that [now]," he said.
"It would be really inappropriate for us to consult with the family at this time; people are grieving. We've offered our condolences and asked if there is any support that is needed; for us to push forward and say we would like to do a tribute is inappropriate at this juncture."
Over the weekend the family used social media to ask their privacy be respected while they came to terms with the death.
It is not known if the Summernats ban on riding in the back of utilities, imposed in the wake of Mr Newsome's fall, will be permanent.
"That is going to be subject to the police investigation," Mr Lopez said.
Andrew Verwey of Tamworth, who travelled to Canberra with his 1971 Falcon ute and sons, John and Tyler, said he could appreciate why it was imposed but hoped it would be reconsidered before 2018's event.
"Accidents happen," he said. "It was unfortunate but this was in a controlled environment. There are other ways to address this, such as the use of restraints. That could be sorted out at scrutineering."