This time last year, Bunya drag racer Steve Reed provided a spectacular demonstration of the safety of the sport of drag racing when he walked away from a massive 400kmh crash at the International New Year Series at Willowbank Raceway.

Today he will return to the same event almost 12 months to the day aboard his Top Alcohol Funny Car, as part of the 2010 International New Year Series at the track, which will run over January 2 and January 16.

Reed’s Top Alcohol Funny Car suffered an engine explosion on the 3rd of January last year, which saw the car quickly engulfed in flames, before it veered across the track and into the wall at what he estimated at the time to be 400km/h as the body flew free from the chassis before the car came to a stop and Reed was able to exit the car unaided, with nothing more than a sore tongue and some minor burns he likened to sunburn.

This time last year, Bunya drag racer Steve Reed provided a spectacular demonstration of the safety of the sport of drag racing when he walked away from a massive 400kmh crash at the International New Year Series at Willowbank Raceway.

Today he will return to the same event almost 12 months to the day aboard his Top Alcohol Funny Car, as part of the 2010 International New Year Series at the track, which will run over January 2 and January 16.

Reed’s Top Alcohol Funny Car suffered an engine explosion on the 3rd of January last year, which saw the car quickly engulfed in flames, before it veered across the track and into the wall at what he estimated at the time to be 400km/h as the body flew free from the chassis before the car came to a stop and Reed was able to exit the car unaided, with nothing more than a sore tongue and some minor burns he likened to sunburn.

Vision of the amazing incident was replayed across television screens both domestically and internationally for days and weeks to come, as viewers watched amazed as the crash unfolded and Reed emerged unscathed.

“The crash was definitely devastating, we totally wrote off that car, but I was unhurt and we were able to come back just a few weeks later,” said Reed.

“I don’t have any bad memories of the incident, except of course in my pocket book!

“This weekend I am sure it will come into my mind, but I will just forget it and do the job I am here to do – do some runs, put on a good show for the fans and get some data under the belt for the rest of the season.”

In the weeks following the incident, Reed came back to compete in Perth and alongside his wife and fellow Top Alcohol competitor Debbie, went on to an all Reed final in that round, before the pair finished up 2-3 in the 2008/2009 Top Alcohol Championship chase at the season-ending Winternationals at Willowbank, before Steve went to be runner-up at the 2009/2010 season-opener in August, also at Willowbank.

While tomorrow’s racing will not be for championship points, Reed is looking forward to putting down big numbers for the fans and filing some important data as he continues his championship chase.

“It has been a long year, and a lot of hard work, but we are back on top it now and looking good - and I am really looking forward to putting on a show this Saturday.”

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