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A professional race car driver who was killed when his car overturned a barrier and crashed into a camera tower at 200 mph got lucky three years ago when he walked away from a similar accident.
Sam Fenech was competing in the New Year Nitro race at Willowbank Raceway, west of Brisbane, before 7pm on Saturday, when he lost control of his Chevrolet Camaro in front of a horrified crowd.
He was treated by paramedics at the scene but died a short time later.
It can now be revealed that the 55-year-old was in a similar accident at Sydney Dragway in January 2019.
Sam Fenech (pictured with his wife) died in a racing accident on Saturday night in Brisbane.
Fenech hit the tire barrier at the end of the braking area when his parachutes failed to flower after the 410km/h run, according to Drag News Magazine.
While the accident appeared dangerous to onlookers, Fenech walked away from the car unharmed.
“I’ve received a lot of phone calls, a lot of messages and a lot of words of encouragement,” he said at the time.
‘Fortunately I feel very well today. I have no injuries that I know of, all the security team did their job. The track crew, the ambulance crew, they all did an amazing job.
‘Unfortunately the car went away, but we had a very good victory. As far as the team is concerned, we are strong and everything is good, so thanks for all the good wishes.”
Sam Fenech was a professional drag racer who was involved in a similar accident in January 2019.
Sam Fenech (pictured) was competing in the New Year Nitro race at Willowbank Raceway, west of Brisbane, before 7pm on Saturday when he lost control of his Chevrolet Camaro.
Tributes from friends, family and shocked viewers began pouring in online in the aftermath of Saturday night’s tragedy.
Mr. Fenech’s cousin remembered him as a good person.
‘I am blessed with the most amazing family. Love you very much. People full of empathy and love. I think of each of my cousins on the Fenech side and smile,” she wrote.
‘They are really good people. They make you want to be a better person. Rest in peace, Sam Fenech.
A friend said: ‘I still can’t believe you’re gone Sam Fenech RIP my friend. Thank you for the friendship, help and knowledge of him during all these years, he is one of the kindest people I have ever met.’
“My condolences to your family and you will always be in my heart partner.”
Sam Fenech was competing in a race at Willowbank Raceway west of Brisbane in his Chevrolet Camaro when the accident occurred just before 7pm on Saturday.
A devastated fan who witnessed the tragedy said: “I’m still shaking from what I just witnessed.”
V8 Supercar driver Todd Hazelwood, who was in the crowd, wrote on Twitter that he was “absolutely speechless”.
“To witness this tragedy at Willowbank Raceway tonight is absolutely heartbreaking,” he wrote.
‘My heart goes out to Sam’s family, the pit crew, friends and fans. Also wishing the cameraman a speedy recovery.
The shocking footage shows his car scraping the wall of the barrier before taking off, flying through the air and breaking into pieces on impact.
Mr. Fenech was participating in Willowbank’s New Year’s Nitro drag racing event, which included ‘top fuel dragsters’.
Mr. Fenech was filmed admiring his car shortly before the race started. Willowbank Raceway confirmed his death on social media
Paramedics tried to save Mr. Fenech, a high-profile drag racer, but he died at the scene.
He was driving a Chevrolet Camaro and was competing against a Ford Mustang driven by Kelvin Lyle.
Mr. Fenech was filmed admiring his car shortly before the race started.
Willowbank Raceway confirmed his death on social media.
“It is with great sadness that Top Fuel Racing Australia announces that Sam Fenech, driver for Fabietti Racing Doorslammer, succumbed to injuries sustained in a racing accident at Willowbank Raceway and passed away tonight,” he wrote.
‘We send our love and support to the Fenech family and the entire Fabietti Racing team.
‘The accident is being investigated by [Queensland] Police and other agencies, and as such there will be no further public comment.’
Police said their accident forensics unit was working with Workplace Health and Safety to investigate.