Overview
- Michael Saller was trapped in a burning sprintcar after contact with Jessie Attard sent his car into a wall and burst the fuel bladder, allowing flames into the cockpit.
- Jessie Attard ran back to the wreck, reached into the blaze and pulled Saller free, an action credited with preventing a far worse outcome.
- Both men had flames catch on their fire‑resistant suits and used the drop‑and‑roll technique to extinguish them; both sustained burns but survived.
- The cars use methanol in an internal fuel bladder, and sources say a ruptured bladder can feed a rapid, intense fire that can overwhelm the cockpit despite protective gear.
- The crash happened during the final night of the Thunder on the Downs meeting at Hi‑Tec Oils Toowoomba Speedway and has raised fresh attention to safety around fuel bladders as teams prepare for the Australian Sprintcar Title.