Piranha Racing - Supercharged Outlaws

Well the trip started off good. We were a bit short of pit crew on the way down so we had Nathan, myself and Andrew Thackeray who works for us and rides locally in modified bike. We had a safe trip down from Rockhampton all the way to Sydney - virtually 20 hours straight with a couple of stops, some McDonalds and comfort stops and we arrived outside the gate at 4.30 p.m on the Wednesday, got in with the Wednesday night madness crew street racers and glad to see that from all reports the local street racing has dropped and Western Sydney as is banana
motorplex by having street racing on week nights it gets the young people off the streets and onto the controlled atmosphere of a drag racing track.

It is a good money spinner for the track and it is a win win for the local community and the police and it is why we desperately need tracks in Melbourne and Adelaide so we keep more of our young people alive. Remember street racing is not drag racing. When ever you see it in the papers, get on the band wagon, email the editor or the journalist and tell them not to denigrate our sport and call street racing what it is and we do not condone it in any shape.

We went down early so we get the owned and on board gen set serviced in Sydney. It has been two years and done 950 hours and I have previously arranged to have it serviced at the track on Thursday, Friday we had our two qualifiers and to say we were stoked after the first one would be an understatement. Off the trailer, career best, ET and MPH. The little Lexus Piranha Real Deal Motor Sports Insurance Toyota genuine parts hot rod cranked out a 781 at 171 MPH eclipsing our 785 in Perth and at Palmyra in North Queensland.

Next run the air was not quite as good and the car did not like the right lane as much - 793 at 162 MPH. We were just looking forward to running in some night time air and as we prepared for our third qualifier on Saturday, the team had high expectations.

As always in drag racing it is a quick trip from the penthouse to the outhouse. After a pretty ordinary start line shambles with a funny car being pushed backed we were ordered into stage then all of a sudden when Nathan has both the stage lights lit they were starting to wheel the funny car in. He launched hard but we did not find out until we got back to Rockhampton that we tore the guts clean out of the flex plate. It did not deter us for the week end, we had a run a career best - that is drag racing, we put on a good show and the car looked great and the
crowd was appreciative of the crocodile paint theme, our feature in the Australian drag racing magazine and front cover in Dragster Australia - certainly highlights our sponsorship endeavours' and hopefully we will pick up some help because we would just like to put a Lexus or Toyota body on it in carbon fiber and a three speed lenco drive or Bruno drive to just try and help the car in the mid range.

Next the out house part of the Western Sydney adventure. Crofty and I were talking to Ian Bryant (formerly Rockhampton residence), now racing a hydro plane and a long time friend and a long time rev head and I decided a better fuel up the gen set as I have done hundreds of times before heading up for the 4 o'clock start of the Group 1 cars. I did nothing that I have not done a hundred time before and contrary to some of the stupid rumors that I was pouring petrol in over the top of the gen set we have an own and on board mobile gen set right in the back
drivers side corner of the transporters - 6' - 8' away remote fuel tank. I had a 20 litre drum sitting on a chair with another 20 Litre on top to get enough elevation to siphon with the jiggler hose. When I popped the gerry can it spurted 15 - 20 mls of fuel up the side of truck just above the top of my head, jiggled the hose and probably 10 litres had run into it and I was a bit tired and put my right hand high above my head to balance on the side of the truck and I noticed the static electricity lit one bit of dried fuel on the truck - it was just a little whoof - 20 ml little bal of flame and I thought don't you jump to the next one but no it did.

Many years of living in the country, my Dad had a butcher shop and slaughter house and I use to light the pot fire and you would throw the diesel in on the hot coals, throw a match, turn your back on it because it would be fire in the hole when it went whoof. I knew that the fire
was going to come out of that hole with an angry attitude so I turned my head, shoulders and upper torso to the left and closed my eyes and the fire came out the hole and consequently went up both hands and stopped at my elbows thank God. My left arm copped the worst of it - I saw I was on fire, I immediately barrow rolled to the ground to try and suffocate the flames, got up, one was pretty well out and one was still going, barrow rolled again. I ran down 30 foot to the back of the trailer, had a large fire extinguisher there, roared back and starting putting the fire out, by that stage there was people everywhere and I am lead to believe that Darrel Walford was a major help in putting out the fire. He had a couple of big extinguishers and was a fire fighter and knew what to do and if we can learn one thing out of this is no good having $20 K Mart fire extinguishers, you have to invest in some decent sized fire fighting equipment and don't have one, have a couple of them.

If you run on menthol, at least have a big water one and learn, read some books, going to do a course but learn how to use them. Different fires have to be fought in different ways. I am unsure of all the people that helped, I do know that Craig Bonwick's wife (the ANDRA Stewart) was tremendous and I apologise to the people I leave out.

I know that Leon Mansleman ran all the way down and was a great help with the drip. I will always remember Leon, his bark is worst than his bite and he is a big mother of a lad but he was handling the drip and the lady said do you know what to do and his explanation was "lady I have had strange horses for years. How do you want this drip, fast or slow". Leon thanks a million. Pay your phone bill and I will be able to ring you.

To the ambulance people, to the track fire fighters who were dribbling the water onto my hands - I can not thank you enough. To Dave Cook and Steve Betts, the look on your faces were priceless. The people that were trying to help and the people that were helping, just conveyed that look of "You will be right Pete, hang on Pete", I do not know what to say but Thank You and To the people at Concord Burns Unit - Professor Maitz.

If you are going to get burnt, at least get burnt where you are an hour away from a world class burn centre. Professor Maitz is a gentleman Ibelieve has an Order of Australia for his work with the Bali burns victims. They are a remarkable team who do difficult work. To Megan, the best nursing sister (I know they don't call them sisters anymore), you are an absolute treasure, your knowledge was incredible. In one of our many conversations she remarked on how it had be an absolute pleasure to have worked with Victor Chang and she always said that Professor Maitz was the Victor Chang of burns. Megan continued to look after me in out patients and I will always remember her caring,understanding and just her absolute knowledge which is mind boggling and
what she was trying to pass onto the third and forth year students.

I am back in Rockhampton and I am recovering. It will not be a short haul but I am very fortunate that I will not need the pressure bandages as long as I continue to do the exercises and minimizing the scarring and keep the hygiene up.

We hope to return to the drags at Willowbank on the 5th and 6th January and as you can see by the photo's on the web site there is a fair bit of carnage to the truck. One thing for sure, there will be a diesel gen set plumbed into the diesel tanks on the trucks, no more petrol for this baby. It might only be a one chance in a million but I do not want to take the chance of it ever happening again.

They say that there is no place like home and I have received many cards and phone calls and today I even received a get well card from the check out chicks at Coles (our local supermarket). When you are down and you are feeling a bit sorry for yourself, special people step up to the plate. Kent Murray (our local WIN cameraman) went to the trouble of doing a DVD of local businessman, the hot bread shop and all sorts of people around town and Heather bought it down when she came down to visit me. It bought a tear to my eye as it was truly magnificent. I am going to put it on the web site because it just goes to show what special people do in special times.

I will see you at the drags in January. I would like to go back to Western Sydney later in the year but we will see what happens. Unfortunately we have been there three times, torched a piston once, automatic the second time and this time tore the flex plate out - maybe forth time lucky.

In closing, to John Simic - High Performance World, who put me up for a week while I was going to out patients, to Wardy, Sharon and everyone that rang, sent a card and past on their well wishes, a Hearth felt Thank You.

See you at the drags.

PETER A PEIRANO.



View full size images from this event and more in the gallery

Peter,
I trust you are making good progress in your recovery and you know what they say - "can't keep a good man down".All the best and I look forward to catching up with you when next in Rockhampton.
Regards Rick

You certainly don't do things by halves.

We at NEIB wish you a speedy recovery and a huge reduction in pain.

All the very best - which I am sure you have already received.

Bob & Gwen Smith and the team @ New England Insurance Brokers

Are you ok???? Havent heard from you???? Was coming to see you at WSID but you decided to have a BBQ early… What happened????? Stu C

Hi There Peter

We heard about your accident and just wanted to let you know we are thinking of you and wish you all the best for a speedy recovery.

Kind Regards
Wade & Claire
CUSTOM FIBREGLASS

Hi Heather.

I trust your trip to Sydney over the weekend went well. I was sorry to hear of Peter's accident. His cheery personality must be missed around the office as I noticed his absence during my office visit.

It is pleasing to hear his wounds are healing well and hope the news of any future operations was good news.

On behalf of EIG-Ansvar, we wish him all the best for a speedy recovery and hope he gets back to his usual self in no time (you may not want that of course).

Please send him our regards and I hope to see him on my next office visit.

Kind Regards

Effie Peall
Business Development Manager
EIG-Ansvar Ltd
QLD Branch

Jeesus pete, you do get up to some mischief. Sounds like you were very fortunate, despite the injuries you incurred. Also sounds like it has not affected the loved piranha personality one bit, which is tremendous as the world would be a sadder place if that was to happen. Look after yourself and DO what Heather tells you to do and you will be back to normal quicker than you think. Will pop in and see you when next in Rocky. Cheers Chris

You are one lucky SOB. Good to hear you're on the mend but can't believe you're going to remain involved with the sport. Don't want anything else happening to my mate!

Cheers,
LOK.

Great to see you back in town and on the mend if you need anything just give us a call and we will get straight onto it for you.
Mark and all the team at best doors and CQP

Good luck Pete, like you said lucky but unlucky but its great you will be alright.
I've seen a few accidents over the years when I was around bikes with no explanation on ignition, that were probably static related, because as we all know it can happen when least expected in just about any any enviroment.Not Like a panel beater in Sydney that was to weld a tank for me on my old 6T Triumph. I was about 17 at the time back in the 70 's and willing to listen to the advice of an old trady. He says I'll just run the torch over the fuel cap and that will rid the fumes, Oh yeh right!!! it popped a couple a dents though and also a great hair remover for the old bloke, not that he had much any way but thankfully his injuries weren't to serious, we did give him the nickname Tomato after that.
Petrol, bad bad product when things don't go to plan Get well soon Regards

Russell Breach
Ray White Yeppoon

Peter
Pleased to hear you're home and on the mend - look forward to having a drink with you soon.
Trace

It's so good to hear you're back in town safe and sound and almost in one piece. I wanted to ring you or Heather, but didn't want to intrude.
It's obviously not your time, you madman!!! If there's anything I can do for you, I know you have great support already, just let me know....
Take good care of yourself. Say hi to that beautiful, long-suffering wife of yours for me.....
Lots of love and best wishes
Kerry

Peter

Good to see you on deck again in Rocky.

If this setback results in you having a little extra time while you are on the mend, I could treat you to a proper coffee on a regular basis at Blackall Street.
I dont use the machine anywhere near enough and am looking for an excuse to fire it up more often.

Kick arse with your recovery

Mike and Di Dempsey

Hi Peter,

Sorry to hear about your mishap but good to read in your latest race report that you are on the mend and back home.They say even bad things can produce opportunity and I guess your office is writing truck loads of income protection and fire insurance.

Stay on the mend and look forward to seeing you at a meeting in the near future.

Regards,

Keith Nowlan

Pete and Heather

Thanks very much again for your informative newsletter. What I didn't expect to read was the potentially fatal news of the fire and how lucky you can be for a 1 in a million incident. As you say Pete a little bit of tiredness and little bits of a chain of events going astray and before you know it you're on fire and so is your truck. As always you have put a positive spin on it and that is what makes you the larger than life character you are. Unfortunately the down side is you will probably turn Heather into either an alcoholic or at least a nervous wreck if you keep this up.

The recovery will be slow but a good lesson nonetheless that we are all getting older and a little bit more rest in between activities is definitely required. Once again thanks for the update and all the very best to you, Heather and the family and let me know when you are down in January and I might be able to find Willowbank and wander out with my wife to see how crazy you really can be.

Regards
Phillip Neilson

Wow Peter
This is an amazing story and told only the way you could tell it!!!

Hope you get better soon. Take care, and do as you are told to do (physio, etc.....) and you will be back to your "old" self soon.

Look forward to seeing you when I pop up there soon. Daneille

HI MATE ..SORRY TO SEE YOU LAID UP..GET WELL SOON ..WE MISS YOUR HUMOR,BIG GUY...ALL OUR BEST..FROM.:(ICE..ANGIE..BOE..AND ALL THE TEAM AT BOB JANE MARYBOROUGH....LUV.YA.......

Hi Pete,

Thanks for the update, terrific to hear you are doing well. Outstanding pictures of the fire, I didn't realise the size and intensity of it and the amount of damage. Sounds as though you were in the best of hands and as always with the drag racing community everybody will lend a hand when needed. That's one of the reasons I like it, the Top Alcohol and the bike guys all still make me so welcome.
You just take it easy for a bit and let things mend properly. January will be around before you know it with the beautiful little car back on the track. All the best for a speedy recovery, you'll be back bigger and brighter than ever. See attached.

Lindsay Ward

Hi Peter Our ninth anniversary coming up and you are one lucky man I hope its a quick and painless recovery our anniversary was at the Lexus golf tour at Hope Island where it all began and now you tell me you don't drive a Lexus, must be some car you got to beat the new LS 460 I saw in Hong Kong if you have a spare $200.000 in black its looks the thing to beat due here next year so I am told me myself like the RX450 hybrid its only half the price. all the best for a speedy recovery give our love to your lovely wife Heather hope to see you soon cheers Peter

Peter,
I am such a mushroom. I am always in the dark.
I did not know about your burns until I opened my Dragster.

Hope you get well soon. I know you are a tough bird and I have so much respect for you and all you have done.

Take your time and get well soon.

Ken Lowe

Hope Peter is recovering and not suffering too much pain. We were pitted about 30 feet away from the truck (with 2 juniors) when it went up, and it was scary stuff. Please pass on our best wishes.

Alan & Kayley Chin

Chin Family Motorsport

Dear Peter,

I had heard you had suffered a fire at WSID, but I was not aware of the extent of the damage. (I am a few issues behind in reading Dragster
Australia.)

I hope you quickly recover from your burns & that you suffer no permanent damage to your hands. You were lucky, at least, in having such expert medical help readily available.

I look forward to seeking you & the Piranha Racing team at Willowbank over January 05/06.

All the best for Christmas, & may 2007 be happier & more successful than 2006.

Best regards,

J. Grant Adams
Partner
Fisher Adams Kelly
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