Controversial race car driver Chris Pappas identified as victim of horrific hammer attack

Gold Coast identity Chris Pappas has been identified as the victim of a horrific hammer and knife attack at his waterfront mansion this morning.

Chris Pappas has been identified as victim of hammer attack on Gold Coast.

A controversial Gold Coast identity and racing car driver, who two years ago survived a fiery crash in a McLaren supercar, has been identified as the victim of a horrific hammer and knife attack on the Glitter Strip.

Chris Pappas, 36, was rushed to hospital in a serious condition after being stabbed and struck with a hammer multiple times at his waterfront mansion at Mermaid Waters early on Tuesday morning.

He is believed to have been stabbed in the leg and hit in the head in the terrifying 3am attack at the Sailaway St residence.

His condition had improved on Tuesday afternoon and was listed as stable.

Sources said Mr Pappas had been at home with his partner Krystle Earsman when two masked men burst in.

It is understood Mr Pappas wrestled with the intruders.

His sister, who lives next door and was alerted by screams, rang police.

Mr Pappas is believed to have recently upgraded security at the house following threats.

Chris Pappas was the driver of a McLaren sports car that crashed into a telegraph pole and burst into flames on the Gold Coast

Mr Pappas was taken to Gold Coast University Hospital as police declared a crime scene and launched an investigation. No further details had been released on Tuesday afternoon.

Mr Pappas was among several men charged in 2016 over an alleged multimillion dollar “boiler room” fraud, accused by police of selling false betting products or services.

However, the charges against Pappas and co-accused Jack Doumani, his son John and Kevin Seymour were dropped after permanent stays against the prosecutions were granted in the Southport District Court earlier this year.

None of the cases were ever formally listed for trial.

The boiler room fraud case was one of the most prominent of its kind on the Gold Coast in recent years.

Mr Pappas was involved in a fiery high-speed crash at Bundall in 2022.

Photographs depict a smiling Jack Doumani and his son being arrested at their lavish Broadbeach Waters home in October 2015 where police seized a $200,000 Bentley and a $180,000 Audi among other luxury items.

It has previously been reported that Jack Doumani was a school friend of Melbourne underworld figure Tony Mokbel.

Mr Pappas, who races muscle cars, was involved in a fiery high-speed crash at Bundall in 2022 when he and his female passenger were pulled from the burning wreckage of his $330,000 McLaren supercar.

It was reported at the time and he and the woman were “lucky” to escape with minor injuries.

Originally published as Controversial race car driver Chris Pappas identified as victim of horrific hammer attack