Tony Boden's Fatal Crash @ Hockenheimring 1986
FatalMotorsportChannel
2023-11-18
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Tony Boden from Wincanton in Somerset, England, was born in 1940 or 1941. He grew up at Ashridge Way in Sunbury-on-Thames, Middlesex, England, and studied at Kenyngton Manor.
Upon reaching adult life Boden became involved with drag racing in Britain, driving with a measure of success Dennis Priddle's top fuel dragsters, which he renamed "Hit Man". In 1981 Tony Boden imported from the United States a 1980 Dodge Omni FC named "Centurion", previously owned by Len Imbrogno from Ohio. Boden repainted silver, red and black the car, which was baptized once again "Hit Man". At the wheel of his Funny Car he became one of the top drivers in this scene, competing in UK and the Continent. He was nicknamed by fans and friends as "Super-Bode".
In a drag event held at Santa Pod Raceway on 17-19 May 1986, Tony Boden was credited with a time of 6.27 seconds, equivalent to 207 mi/h (333 km/h) in one of the qualifying runs, but this record was deemed dubious due to technical problems with the track timing equipment. His next race, also at Santa Pod, was The Cannonball on 05-06 July 1986, when he scored the fifth best qualifying time at 6.76 seconds, but failed to advance to the semifinals.
On 09 August 1986 Tony Boden was taking part to the Internationales Dragster-Rennen, a competition at Hockenheim, Germany. The event took place on the main straight in front of the pits, with the cars running in the opposite direction than the usual race course. The temporary dragstrip had therefore a limited run-off area, terminating in the solid barriers under the grandstands at the Südkurve, the circuit's last turn.
The engine of his car was rebuilt and had been run prior to the trip to Germany. Boden was allowed to take a check out run for the "Hit Man", which tragically became Super-Bode's last start.
During his solo run a serious fire broke out in the "Hit Man" at about three-quarter track, the con-rods coming out of the engine. The resulting damage prevented Boden to deploy properly the parachute. Unable do decelerate and with car quickly approaching the retaining wall, Boden tried to follow the circuit course, making a left turn, but the high speed and the limited steering capabilities of the funny car made this maneuver only partially effective. Possibly he turned too early, careering across the grass with the flame filled car airborne. After crossing the pitlane and the inside grass, the "Hit Man" landed again on solid track before taking off and crashing into the outside wall at the entrance of the Opel Kurve.
Boden was extracted consciuos from the wreck. He was treated by track Paramedics before being transferred by helicopter to Hockenheim hospital, where he died about a week later.
R.I.P
Upon reaching adult life Boden became involved with drag racing in Britain, driving with a measure of success Dennis Priddle's top fuel dragsters, which he renamed "Hit Man". In 1981 Tony Boden imported from the United States a 1980 Dodge Omni FC named "Centurion", previously owned by Len Imbrogno from Ohio. Boden repainted silver, red and black the car, which was baptized once again "Hit Man". At the wheel of his Funny Car he became one of the top drivers in this scene, competing in UK and the Continent. He was nicknamed by fans and friends as "Super-Bode".
In a drag event held at Santa Pod Raceway on 17-19 May 1986, Tony Boden was credited with a time of 6.27 seconds, equivalent to 207 mi/h (333 km/h) in one of the qualifying runs, but this record was deemed dubious due to technical problems with the track timing equipment. His next race, also at Santa Pod, was The Cannonball on 05-06 July 1986, when he scored the fifth best qualifying time at 6.76 seconds, but failed to advance to the semifinals.
On 09 August 1986 Tony Boden was taking part to the Internationales Dragster-Rennen, a competition at Hockenheim, Germany. The event took place on the main straight in front of the pits, with the cars running in the opposite direction than the usual race course. The temporary dragstrip had therefore a limited run-off area, terminating in the solid barriers under the grandstands at the Südkurve, the circuit's last turn.
The engine of his car was rebuilt and had been run prior to the trip to Germany. Boden was allowed to take a check out run for the "Hit Man", which tragically became Super-Bode's last start.
During his solo run a serious fire broke out in the "Hit Man" at about three-quarter track, the con-rods coming out of the engine. The resulting damage prevented Boden to deploy properly the parachute. Unable do decelerate and with car quickly approaching the retaining wall, Boden tried to follow the circuit course, making a left turn, but the high speed and the limited steering capabilities of the funny car made this maneuver only partially effective. Possibly he turned too early, careering across the grass with the flame filled car airborne. After crossing the pitlane and the inside grass, the "Hit Man" landed again on solid track before taking off and crashing into the outside wall at the entrance of the Opel Kurve.
Boden was extracted consciuos from the wreck. He was treated by track Paramedics before being transferred by helicopter to Hockenheim hospital, where he died about a week later.
R.I.P
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