The fastest quarter mile drag race time outside the US was set at the launch of the new Yas Marina Circuit drag racing centre last month. Rodney ‘Hot Rod’ Fuller covered the 402-metre strip in 3.898sec, hitting 499.97kph at the end of the run. The current record is held by Tony Schumacher (no relation to seven-time F1 champion) at 3.771sec at 523kph.

Fuller was driving an 8000bhp Top Fuel dragster at the first Drag Racing Festival which lasted two days and saw over 120 cars and bikes from eight different categories and several GCC countries taking part. ‘I think we’ve put on a good show and given the fans a indication of what this sport is all about,’ said Fuller. ‘Next time we are here, we hope to go much quicker.’