The WPGC Bike Fest at the Maryland International Raceway, part of the International Drag Bike Leauge (IDBL) series, is a gathering and celebration of everything two wheels, bringing out a slew of high-horsepower drag bikes. One of those in attendance was the nitrous-infused Suzuki Hayabusa ownedby Willie Nichol, who, along with rider Shayne Proctor, had his eyes on the Trac King Clutches Top Sportsman trophy. That was, until an unforeseen incident transpired on the racetrack.

After throwing a 7.80 dial-in on the bike, the Indian Head, Maryland resident lined up next to Brian Fandel. Proctor got off the starting line clean and was tracking down the slower Fandel, but when the bike reached mid-track, disaster struck. A massive explosion erupted from the center of the bike, which scattered parts and pieces across the racetrack and engulfed Proctor in a nitrous-fed inferno.

According to Shayne Proctor’s GoFundMe page, he is two surgeries into the long haul of returning to the track but remains completely optimistic about this situation.

According to reports, Proctor continued to maintain control of the bike until he reached the finish line, at which point he bailed away from the flames that continued to engulf the Hayabusa. While still on fire, he came in contact with the racing surface, which resulted in a shoulder dislocation. The track and safety crew at MIR quickly sprung into action, but not as quickly as the nearby racers returning to the pit area. As Proctor began to writhe on the ground in an attempt to quench the flames, racers were able to jump over the wall and smother the flames with towels.

It is quite evident that the explosion was centered around the gas tank of the bike. With the rear portion of the bike, and Proctor taking the brunt of the heat.

The eerie part of this whole event was what lay before the safety crew as they arrived to what was something reminiscent of a scene from Die Hard, as one of Proctors’ shoes lie burning in the background while the medical team rushed to his aid. Despite the odds, he was reported to be in stable condition when he was airlifted to a local hospital, and is expected to make a full recovery from the burns to his legs and back. The bike, on the other hand, looks like a total loss.

We offer our condolences to Proctor along with his friends and family and pray for his speedy recovery.

Video credit: eatmyink