Driver of McLaren involved in Gold Coast fireball crash revealed as Chris Pappas, 34,

The man behind the wheel of a McLaren supercar that crashed spectacularly on the Gold Coast before bursting into flames can be revealed as a race car driver and accused “boiler room” fraudster.

The driver of a McLaren supercar which crashed spectacularly on the Gold Coast before bursting into flames can be revealed as a race car driver and accused “boiler room” fraudster.

Chris Pappas, 34, and friend Krystle Earsman, 31, were dragged from the wreckage of the luxury $330,000 vehicle by bystanders moments before it exploded in a fireball after crashing at Bundall on Thursday night.

Mr Pappas suffered multiple fractures and burns and he and Ms Earsman were taken by ambulance to Gold Coast University Hospital.

All that’s left of the supercar after the crash.

Mr Pappas is a leading driver in the TA2 Muscle Car Series, based on America’s legendary Trans-Am Series which began in the 1960s.

He was arrested in 2016 over a “boiler room” scam allegedly run by Jack Doumani – an alleged associate of drug lord Tony Mokbel – and his son John Doumani.

A firefighter douses the smouldering remains in water.

As part of a lengthy investigation codenamed Operation North Hurricane, police seized luxury cars, a jet ski and computers in raids and arrested five people including the Doumanis and Pappas.

A pre-trial hearing is due to be held in Southport District Court in December.

Originally published as Driver of McLaren involved in Gold Coast fireball crash revealed as Chris Pappas, 34,