Accident report issues urgent safety alert to Sydney International Dragway

An independent report by Accident Investigation Services has cited no less than 10 safety concerns and prompted an urgent safety alert to Sydney International Dragway at Eastern Creek, ahead of this week’s high-speed Nitro Thunder racing event. 

Sydney International Dragway is a drag racing and motorsport venue that showcases championship drag racing, which regularly sees speeds in excess of 500 kilometres per hour, and many of Australia's most prestigious racing events that attract teams and audience participation from around the nation and internationally.

The Accident Investigation Services report finalised on 17th April was commissioned to examine the failure of safety systems and circumstances of a high-speed accident that occurred at the Sydney International Dragway on 19th January involving the JSS Racing Camaro Pro Slammer. 

Mark George, principle of Accident Investigation Services reported that “it was a ‘miracle’ the driver of the vehicle, Sam Fenech, escaped serious injury or death as a result of the accident.”

When asked about the new safety system George said, “Given our review and analysis of the newly constructed safety net system, we request that the Sydney International Dragway and perhaps any interested parties, be urgently advised of our safety concerns for their necessary attention.

"We would recommend that a detailed engineering safety assessment of the new net system be undertaken by an accredited structural engineer who has appropriate knowledge and experience in road safety, crash worthiness of vehicles and associated occupant safety.”

Accident Investigation Services and JSS Racing team owner Steve Sarkis, who’s winning Pro Slammer was written off in the incident, believe that there are serious safety issues with the dragway that need to be addressed before any further races are held.

The report details a number of urgent safety concerns around the Pavement Braking Area, Gravel Emergency Braking Area, Safety Net System and End Tyre Wall. It further notes that the new double safety net system constructed at the site after the crash suffers the same design faults as the original, and analysis shows that it would be prone to double failure in high speed crashes similar to this case.

“My team and I are passionate about drag racing. It’s a dangerous sport at the best of times, however we just need to heed safety precautions so that it can be as safe as possible”, commented Sarkis.

As reported in Dragnews Magazine, following Lloyds Classic Car Auctions Camaro driver Sam Fenech's first ever Pro Slammer event win at Santos Summer Thunder on 19th January, 2019, a parachute failure resulted in an horrific end to the night's proceedings. 

After Fenech crossed the finish line at 410 km/hour to defeat Paul Mouhayet, he then went through the braking area as the chutes failed. It took Fenech just six seconds to cover the 600 metres of bitumen left before he went into the gravel trap and then the safety net, which the Camaro went through or under before hitting a tyre bundle.

While the incident looked spectacular, Fenech emerged unhurt and was able to walk away from the car.