On Saturday night 16th February, 2013, South African driver Pieter DeWit was racing American Chuck Haynes in J60 Pratt and Whitney jet powered Dragsters on the Perth Motorplex quarter mile dragstrip.
During Saturday’s final round of racing the experienced 37 year old South African driver suffered a high speed racing incident.
After completing a 5.7 sec run and travelling at approximately 440 kilometres per hour, DeWit experienced parachute issues with the Dragster.
As a result the Jet Dragster hit the sand-trap and safety net area at high speed causing significant damage to the vehicle.
DeWit was trapped in the car for a period, but was extracted by emergency crews with no life threatening injuries.
During this period, De Wit responded alertly to all safety crew in attendance and was communicating with them until he departed the venue.
At this time DeWit remains in hospital under observation with a fractured kneecap and a burn to his back.
Photo: Phil LUYER – www.highoctanephotos.com
