It isn’t a mistake or coincidence that nearly as soon as a new performance car is released, nitrous companies are on the scene with bolt on plate kits for them. It is cheap horsepower and when used correctly and in moderation it is a safe and super fun bolt on for your car. The downside is when you apply that technology incorrectly or when circumstances stack up on you and the below video is the result. You’ll see a late model Dodge Challenger, presumably with the 6.1L or 6.4L Hemi engine, launch off the starting line of an unnamed dragway, go about 60ft and then explode violently, the engine bay erupting in flames.
The concussion of the explosion was violent enough to buckle the hood like tin foil and convince the driver that he needed to exit stage left POST HASTE! When he does come out of the car, we see a dude with no helmet and shorts. Spending as much time around drag strips as we do, a car like this with even a sniff of nitrous on it should be good for super deep 13s or high 12s. That’s very deep into helmet territory. The shorts are not legal for an ET, so this strip is either loosey goosey with the rules or is an outlaw spot that doesn’t heed the major sanctions requirements. The starting line guy responds quickly (in his shorts) packing a fire extinguisher. He gets the fire handled quickly, but that engine bay has to be a mess. The intake manifold has probably exploded and anything that isn’t steel is likely melted into a neat looking puddle.
What caused the pop? Your guess is as good as ours, but the tell tale of the white smoke out the tail pipes before it all goes very bad leads us to believe an internal failure in the engine started the chain of events that led to this disaster. It sucks for this guy, but we think we know where you can buy a modern Hemi long block for cheap!
Press play below and watch the firey end of a late model Dodge!
That would be US41 dragway. Now known as No Limit raceway. Wonder if they upgraded the ambulance yet…
Funny, I watched this video several times thinking it was 41. I was down there last summer with a buddy for test and tune. Yeah its pretty much same ol same ol down there.
That’s probably what would have happened if I’d have attempted a pass with the buzzing and leaking “Brand Z” “Nitrous Management Unit” on the final day of Drag Week 2012 . . . .
Yep, No Limit. That track was built to host national events. I think IHRA had a big show there a time or two. It’s not far from Chicago, but I’ve never been there.
One roasted SRT8 ’11 Challenger,how is he going to explain this one to the dealership service manager? Nothing more than melted aluminum and wires.
What do you mean this isn’t covered in the warranty!!!!?
man! this bonehead was runnin n2o and wearing a tee shirt, shorts and no helmet?? good thing it went up at the line…. :{P
Gotta love the fire retardant clothing…
I’ve heard of Nomex….but “NoShirts”????????