Sam Fenech had a fatal crash at Willowbank Raceway on Saturday.
Aged 55, Sam is a professional drag racer who is part of the ACDelco Slammer Drag Racing team.
The team expressed their condolences via a statement, “It’s with deep sadness we acknowledge that Sam Fenech has passed away as a result of a racing accident this evening at Willowbank”.
The crash happened during the New Year Nitro event which is round four of the Burson Auto Parts Australian Top Fuel Championship.
It has the fastest drag racing vehicles with championship points on the line as drivers compete to win the Stan Sainty Cup.
The line-up includes Top Fuel Motorcycle, Top Doorslammer, and more.
Sam Fenech Crash Video
This is the moment before Sam Fenech was killed in a crash at Willowbank Raceway.
Sam lost control of his drag car and it flipped over the safety barriers before crashing to the ground.
The parachute was released from his car, but it didn’t mitigate the impact of the crash.
The crash occurred on Saturday during the New Year Nitro event hosted by Willowbank Raceway.
Paramedics arrived at the scene to attempt to save Sam, but he died at the scene.
The Sam Fenech crash video was uploaded multiple times on YouTube, totaling millions of views.
Racing teams and competitors gave their condolences on their respective social media platforms.
PremiAir Racing, “This is truly tragic news, and everyone here at PremiAir Racing is holding Sam in our thoughts tonight and sending our deepest condolences to his team, crew, friends, family, and loved ones”.
Red Bull Ampol Racing, “We’re deeply saddened to hear of Sam Fenech’s passing during the racing incident at Willowbank. Our thoughts are with Sam’s family, the Fabietti Racing team, and the entire Chevrolet Racing community during this extremely difficult time”.
Todd Hazelwood, “Absolutely lost for words. RIP Sam Fenech. To witness this tragedy at Willowbank Raceway tonight is absolutely heartbreaking”.