Video: Aussie Top Fueler Explodes Supercharger In Grand Fashion

At the Australian National Drag Racing Asssociation’s Nitro Champs at the Sydney Dragway back in 2009, female Top Fuel newcomer Amanda Shepherd experienced one of the most spectacular explosions in the modern era of nitro racing when her dragster popped the supercharger in spectacular fashion, leaving all of those who witnessed it in shock.

Now, the reason we suggest this as the modern era is because in decades gone by, and particularly back in the 1960’s and 70’s before the advent of blower restraint devices, superchargers simply exploded and scattered all over hell’s half acre, leaving everyone on the property in danger of being struck by flying shrapnel. Just sitting in the grandstands at the finish line could be a dicey endeavor. These days, supercharger technology has advanced exponentially, and so too have the talents of the people who tune them, making scenes like this beyond rare.

But on that fateful evening in Sydney, Shepherd’s nitro-burning dragster went up in smoke right at the hit, and three quick whacks of the throttle to get the Goodyears hooked up were too much for the big Hemi to withstand, as unburnt nitromethane filled up in the cylinders, causing the engine to hydraulic and send the pressure back up through the supercharger, literally vaporizing it. After the explosion that rocked the entire facility — and carried enough force to momentarily lift the front of the chassis off the ground — parts and pieces of the supercharger and the injector could be seen strewn all over the track, others sailing through the air in every direction. Another video, containing some post-kaboom footage of the engine back in the pit area showed the remains, with everything above the blower manifold completely leveled.

Although certainly up there among the biggest explosions in drag racing history, we wouldn’t go so far as to say it measures up to Doug Herbert’s legendary boomer at the ’99 Auto Club Finals in Pomona. But it was every bit as expensive, we’d dare to say.

About the author

Andrew Wolf

Andrew has been involved in motorsports from a very young age. Over the years, he has photographed several major auto racing events, sports, news journalism, portraiture, and everything in between. After working with the Power Automedia staff for some time on a freelance basis, Andrew joined the team in 2010.
Read My Articles

Drag Racing in your Inbox.

Build your own custom newsletter with the content you love from Dragzine, directly to your inbox, absolutely FREE!

Free WordPress Themes
Dragzine NEWSLETTER - SIGN UP FREE!

We will safeguard your e-mail and only send content you request.

Dragzine - Drag Racing Magazine

We'll send you the most interesting Dragzine articles, news, car features, and videos every week.

Dragzine - Drag Racing Magazine

Dragzine NEWSLETTER - SIGN UP FREE!

We will safeguard your e-mail and only send content you request.

Dragzine - Drag Racing Magazine

Thank you for your subscription.

Subscribe to more FREE Online Magazines!

We think you might like...


Street Muscle Magazine
Hot Rods & Muscle Cars
Diesel Army
Diesel Army
Engine Labs
Engine Tech

Dragzine - Drag Racing Magazine

Thank you for your subscription.

Subscribe to more FREE Online Magazines!

We think you might like...

  • Streetmuscle Hot Rods & Muscle Cars
  • Diesel Army Diesel Army
  • Engine Labs Engine Tech

Dragzine - Drag Racing Magazine

Dragzine

Thank you for your subscription.

Thank you for your subscription.

Dragzine - Drag Racing Magazine

Thank you for your subscription.

Thank you for your subscription.

Loading