Australian Drag Racer Rolled His Nissan GT-R 11 Times at 167 MPH, Miraculously Survived
Despite drag racing’s easy-to-memorize race track, it’s actually an extremely dangerous corner of motorsport. Anytime you are moving faster than 150 mph, the potential for danger is very real. No one needs that reminder less than Mick Mansour, the Aussie who rolled his Nissan Skyline R33 GT-R 11 times at 167 mph.
What happened to this Nissan Skyline R33 GT-R?
According to CarScoops, Mansour’s Skyline GT-R was no ordinary GT-R, but then again, none of them ever are. His insane RB26 turbocharged six-cylinder engine is capable of pumping out 2,100 hp but was detuned to 1,500 hp for the 2022 GT-R Challenge at Cootamundra Airport in New South Wales.
Surprising to no one, Mansour’s Nissan Skyline R33 GT-R crushed an 8.70-second quarter-mile while running on low boost. His second run was even faster, posting a time of 8.40 seconds even though cylinder three misfired halfway through the run.
The third run was the charm, just not a lucky one. Mansour told Motive Video that the car started sliding to the right a touch. As he corrected it, one of his tires touched the grass, which sent the car in a bit of a tizzy. The slide happened at a blistering 167 mph and ripped the right front tire off the rim. There was no saving it now. The GT-R rolled like a toy car thrown down a hill. He turned over 11 times before his Skyline came to rest.
What happened to the driver?
The footage shows the car erupting into a cloud of parts and dust as it rolls for what feels like forever. Despite how gruesome the footage looks, Mansour, thankfully, pulled himself from the wreckage and walked away from the crash.
In a perfectly teachable moment, Mansour says that he is grateful that he has always worn full protective gear when racing. His Nissan Skyline R33 GT-R (RIP) was also built with a full cage for just such an occasion. It is reasonable to assume that the roll cage is the main reason he is still alive. He does admit that he has a bad habit of keeping the hammer down no matter how wild his car gets. Had he not sent it so hard, there may have been a way to save his car from its doom. However, no one ever won a race by going slower.
Somehow, he managed to salvage some parts
Almost as miraculous as his own life being spared, the Skyline also had some parts that remained useful. The salvageable parts include the massively powerful engine, gearbox, differential, and many interior parts.
I’m not sure how much of a consolation that is, but at least his car’s heart can go on to power another JDM Fellbeast of the track.
Drag racing is something to be taken very seriously. Although Mansour was pushing 170 mph, you don’t have to go half that fast to lose control and rollover. Remember always to wear the best gear you can and only race track-appropriate cars.