Watch the terrifying moment a race car catches fire as Supercars star escapes a burning vehicle in scary scenes in Australia
- Cam Waters’ car caught fire in Darwin on Saturday
- He started on pole position before the incident
- His team says the fire was due to a loose fuel fitting
The spectacular fire that dashed Cam Waters’ hopes of a maiden Supercars win in 2023 was caused by his Mustang’s loose fuel supply during the opening race of the Darwin Triple Crown, says Tickford Racing.
From pole position, Waters led Saturday’s race after five laps at Hidden Valley Raceway before the front left of his Ford Mustang caught fire.
Flames and smoke quickly spread around the vehicle, forcing Waters to hastily break free and flee before returning with safety commissioners to put out the blaze.
Supercars issued a statement after the 35-lap sprint race saying an investigation was underway.
“Most importantly, Cam Waters walked away from the incident safe and unharmed,” the statement said.
Cam Waters’ car burst into flames at the Darwin Triple Crown on Saturday
Waters managed to escape the fire caused by a loose fuel fitting
“Following an initial inspection conducted by Supercars, Tickford and Herrod Performance Engines, the fire appears to have been caused by a loosened fuel fitting and is not related to any previous fires in the 2023 championship.”
Fellow Tickford driver James Courtney’s Mustang caught fire during the Australian Grand Prix weekend in Melbourne earlier this season.
Tickford team principal Tim Edwards said the incidents were unrelated.
“It’s different from what happened at the Grand Prix, where they were fuel fires caused by a different cause,” he said.
“A lot happens in the pit lane afterwards… But we are all masters of hindsight.
“All Fords have the same fuel connection to the engine, and in hindsight it probably could have been a little different.
“Even though you saw flames coming through the firewall, it doesn’t look like it did much internal damage.
“(Courtney’s) had a lot of internal and external damage.”
Taking advantage of Waters’ plight, Mark Winterbottom raced away for his first win since his win in New Zealand in 2016.
But the 42-year-old expressed concern about witnessing the incident.
“Cam and I are very good friends and you fight on the track, but when you see that stuff it’s scary – getting out of the car isn’t that easy,” said Winterbottom.
“I had a car on fire in Bathurst and it was one of the scariest things ever because you’re just looking for a marshal and it’s panic.
‘It’s a terrible feeling. That’s not what you want to see.’
