We often say that running a nitro car is serious and dangerous business. These videos (one from in the car and one from outside the car) are further proof of our claims. The videos show the crew of Jim Broome’s Candies and Huges nitro funny car starting the beast with driver Mike Halstead strapped in. As soon as the motor lights off, it goes right to the moon causing the clutch to engage and instantly wreaking havoc on the lives of the two guys starting the car. Thankfully both are jettisoned clear of the car and were not dragged a long distance by the headers. Also, credit needs to go to Halstead who got the car stopped and shut off as quickly as humanly as possible. He had a big handful of brake and the thing just powered right through it. Obviously, he whacked the fuel shutoff quickly as the car didn’t even make it close to the starting line from the water box by the time it was all over.
One of the men is thrown clear on the left (driver’s right) of the car quickly while the other dude grabbed onto the injector for a second before being tossed aside. The second guy had his shorts blown up and tattered but was able to scamper quickly up to the car. The other guy was up and moving as well, although he seemed to be favoring his arm significantly.
These guys may have started this car 100 times without incident but something about this time went wrong. When you are in the stands watching a drag race with nitro cars, understand that every person on that team has a specific job and absolutely nothing good comes of mistakes in any part of the operation. Honestly, we’re not sure what happened here but we’re just glad everyone was able to walk away. Someone could have gotten REALLY messed up in this deal.
PRESS PLAY BELOW TO WATCH AN OUTSIDE PERSPECTIVE AND A WILD IN-CAR PERSPECTIVE! (SKIP TO 2:17 ON IN-CAR VIDEO)
On the in-car camera at Approx. 1:12 in you can see the driver tap the throttle ever so slightly a couple of times pumping extra fuel into the engine right before they go into their starting routine.
That’s not how it works on these engines. Good guess though.
Drivers don’t put there foot on the throttle until the body is down and people are out of the way. Look again! Thanks
Aj if you knew anything about these cars, pumping the throttle does nothing unless the motor is running. If the motor isn’t turning you will not be putting fuel in by simple pushing the pedal!
There’s no fuel pressure with the engine not running, that’s why they have to spray fuel into the injector hat with a bottle.
The nozzel of the prime bottle got caught in the injector, dumping way too much fuel in the hat….
Too much fuel doesn’t make an engine rev up like that. However an open throttle blade will.
You never crank a motor over while holding the butterflies open and priming it. Open, prime, close, start and keep it running off of the primer bottle till the pump takes over. Crewman error and totally avoidable. Thank God no one was hurt!
Yep left side guy leaning on the throttle lever, not too swift…
Bingo! see my article down below.
Crew member holding open the butterflies while cranking over… Damn, treed!
The guy on the left, leans on the throttle and pulls it part on, did he bend it maybe?
And what’s the driver doing climbing out of a running vehicle anyway??
SHUT IT OFF!!!
My bad, was the car in the other lane getting louder
Glad they were able to get out of the way. I know (knew) a man who wasn’t able to get out of the way when that happened, and it was terrible. He’s no longer with us as a result. Broken neck, paralyzed, collapsed lung – eventually pneumonia took him. RIP Big Jim.
So to many people want to know about the accident and I can’t possibly get to everyone so I will make one post for family and friends to see. Nice job on the article Bangshift. As a drive starting the race car the very first thing I do is look at my oil pressure so it really caught me by surprise. First thing I want to say about Mike and Kenton. These guys have been starting this car for over 5 years now, I think they know what they are doing. They are human and very good friends of mine. Everyone makes mistakes one time or another. I make them every day so go easy on these guys. They have big hearts. Yes Mike opened the Injector and Kenton pulled the wire and that’s how the primer bottle cap got stuck in the injector. People say why didn’t you hit the mag switch. Well because of the automatic shut off for when you blow up the engine happened to be in the way so I could not get to it. I have my left hand on the wheel and Left hand on the brake and the clutch in. Its amazing how fast you brain reacts to an incident. When the car lit all I could think of is to put my right knee in the steering wheel so the car will go straight when I let go of the wheel to slap the fuel shut off closed and keep the clutch in and brake on hard and ride it out. Once the engine quit running I got out and when I see the guys were ok I walk to the cart and took my gear off. I then went to the meat wagon to check on Mike. They were checking him out. He has some minor burns on his leg and side from the header flames and a little sore today. Thank God everyone was ok. This is why you need to try and get a good night sleep and eat good meals. Your brain works better nourished with the right foods and sleep. I believe that’s what keep my head in the game. Thanks everyone for your thoughts and concerns. Lesson learned and we are going racing at Cordova in a few weeks.
Great info Mike, thanks!
Hey Mike, My Brother and I met you and your wife at Bobby Cottrels house at his Christmas party! Sir, just saw the video of the incident with the fuel car and just wanted you and your crew to know how glad we are that no-one got hurt. Quick thinking on your part, just damn glad your all ok! My brother and I will be coming out with Scott and Bob Cousamano in september with there new fuel car, and its something we all need to keep in mind how quick things can go wrong with these cars!! Safety FIRST!!!! WE will talk to you real soon Mike!!
Looked to me Mike that you handled it perfectly…. fuel kill takes a few seconds longer but less damage …. hate to see what would have happen if you were able to kill ignition with the motor loaded with fuel.