Publications
Partners
POMONA, California – The NHRA Winter Nationals auto racing event in California had the heat turned up when a dragster’s car exploded into a fireball on the drag strip.
According to the London Daily Mail, driver Antron Brown had just crossed the start line during the second round of final eliminations in the National Hot Rod Association Winter Nationals on Feb 17 against fellow racer Dave Grubnic when his 5965kW monster exploded.
View the video
Brown was travelling at 483km/h when his car exploded and flipped over, hurtling him down the strip and and across the finish line - ahead of his competitor.
The 36-year-old got himself out of the car, unharmed, and walked across the track to be checked out by medical staff on the scene.
FATAL SPORT
Despite numerous safety precautions implemented during the last few years, the sport killed 13 drivers between 1983 and 2010. This came about after American race legend, Edward Glenn 'Fireball' Roberts burned to death in 1964 after a fatal crash the Mail reported.
Safety precaustions to protect drivers from engine explosions include the use of a fire suit and a safety harness which holds them secure in these powerful machines but can also be released in less than a second in case of an emergency.
Brown also had a plastic canopy covering his head which helped protect him as the car rocketed down the track. That rule was only implemented in August 2012.
According to the London Daily Mail, driver Antron Brown had just crossed the start line during the second round of final eliminations in the National Hot Rod Association Winter Nationals on Feb 17 against fellow racer Dave Grubnic when his 5965kW monster exploded.
View the video
Brown was travelling at 483km/h when his car exploded and flipped over, hurtling him down the strip and and across the finish line - ahead of his competitor.
The 36-year-old got himself out of the car, unharmed, and walked across the track to be checked out by medical staff on the scene.
FATAL SPORT
Despite numerous safety precautions implemented during the last few years, the sport killed 13 drivers between 1983 and 2010. This came about after American race legend, Edward Glenn 'Fireball' Roberts burned to death in 1964 after a fatal crash the Mail reported.
Safety precaustions to protect drivers from engine explosions include the use of a fire suit and a safety harness which holds them secure in these powerful machines but can also be released in less than a second in case of an emergency.
Brown also had a plastic canopy covering his head which helped protect him as the car rocketed down the track. That rule was only implemented in August 2012.
