IHRA Australia, the sanctioning body for the event, has confirmed it will investigate a start line explosion and fireball that hospitalized five crew members from leading Australian Top Fuel team, Jim Read Racing at the Sydney Dragway Nitro champs meeting, May 7.

Four crewmembers were treated for minor injuries and released. Gus Ussia, well known in NHRA circles as a member of Rapisarda Autosport International, remains in hospital requiring treatment for hand injuries and is expected to make a full recovery.

The incident happened as the car was being prepped behind the start line and was captured on the live stream of the event. 

 The dramatic and confronting footage has dominated prime time television news in Australia.