Adelaide driver Chris Stewart, 48, died when his purpose-built drag car crashed into a wall during a Portland race meeting on Saturday.
About 1000 people were at the track for the two-day South Coast 660, including family and friends of the driver, when the accident happened about 1pm, police said. An Ambulance Victoria spokesman John Mullen said the driver was deceased when they arrived and was unable to be resuscitated.
The South Coast Raceway event was cancelled for the rest of the weekend and police said on Sunday they were still investigating the cause of the crash on behalf of the coroner, which was expected to take some time.
Sergeant Gavin Slade, of Portland police, said the driver was the only competitor on the drag strip and was racing against the clock.
The weekend event had attracted 155 entries from across Australia and was billed on the South Coast Raceway website as its biggest race meeting of all time.
The Australian National Drag Racing Association said it was “with deep regret” that it announced the death of the second-generation racer.
“On behalf of the Australian National Drag Racing Association we pass on our sincere condolences to the Stewart family, crew and friends,” it said. South Coast Raceway has also expressed its sadness at the incident. “The entire South Coast Raceway track staff, volunteers and members would like to pass on our heartfelt condolences to the Stewart family, friends and drag racing community.”
