Fuel dragster duo Hot Rod Fuller, Tommy Johnson Junior ignite Yas Marina track

Abu Dhabi: Tommy Johnson Junior set an amazing 3.917 second record, just missing the magic 500 kilometre per hour barrier in his duel with teammate Hot Rod Fuller at Yas Marina Circuit's new drag race track.

Both drivers set new Middle East record with their first side-by-side run in front of packed grandstands.

Expectations were running high to see how close either driver can get to the world record of 3.76 seconds over the next five runs later in the evening.

Earlier, a sell out crowd filled the impressive drag racing as more than 120 cars and bikes blasted down the quarter-mile strip adjacent to the F1 circuit.