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Post by bondoman2k on Jun 21, 2008 19:06:32 GMT -7
Guys, Scott Kalitta was killed today in a Funny Car qualifying crash at Etown. It was the fourth and final session, and he hadn't made it in the show yet. It looked like a real good run, until the car exploded. Not sure what exactly happened after that, but it was bad. Doesn't look like he had a chance. Hopefully, he wasn't conscious when it happened. Here's a video of what happened. If you have a 'weak' stomach, I would suggest you be careful watching this. Been a race fan all my life, I have NEVER seen anything like this. RIP Scott.  |
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Post by SKR on Jun 21, 2008 19:11:48 GMT -7
Very sad indeed. Nightrider told me about it tonight on my way home from work. Our hearts go out to Scott's family and friends.
I'm not to familiar with this track but does anybody know why there is a wall at the end of the track???
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Post by bondoman2k on Jun 21, 2008 19:23:01 GMT -7
Sam,
The track is very close to NYC. It was built in the early 60's (I think? They used it a LOT then, may have been there longer). By today's standards, it is WAYYYYY too short of a shutdown for the speeds these cars get now, but then most tracks are. The wall is there because there is a road behind it, not sure if it's a 'city' road or a 'farm' road. Track was probably there before the road. Usually is in most of these situations. They need to get rid of those roads (few other strips have the same situation), then those walls could come down.
BUT, instead, all that you will hear about this is how "This 'tragic' sport needs to be stopped before someone else gets killed". Instead of looking at the fact of how many high speed races and crashes have happened over the last 50 years, with FAR less deaths than airplane crashes. THAT will get conveniently 'ignored'.
Sorry..got off in 'another direction'. Didn't mean to. This thread isn't about all that.
"NHRA Today" tomorrow morning on ESPN will have more updates on this story.
Ron
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Post by SKR on Jun 21, 2008 19:31:46 GMT -7
Thanks for posting the video bondoman but I feel it's best to delete it in respect for the family.
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Post by bondoman2k on Jun 21, 2008 20:11:43 GMT -7
No problem Sam.  That's why 'you's the boss..lol. ;D That video and others are easy to find on You Tube though. All ya gotta do is search if ya really want to see it.  Ron |
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Post by da big ragu on Jun 21, 2008 22:04:23 GMT -7
 hi all very sad to hear about scott not funny but me and the wife had talked about going today to etown but fell short on cash this would have been her first time to the drags i know the track can't remember how long the shut down is they re did the track some time ago but think they only did the starting area and stands could have done something at shut down area never remember a wall that close they run moto cross down at the end still all in all a very sad day ...
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Post by allstarhr on Jun 22, 2008 5:10:18 GMT -7
Sincere condolences to the Kilitta's, the Safety Safari Crew that had to deal with Scott's death up close and personal, the other teams and all the driver's wives and husbands.
I guess NHRA is just to close to the situation to be able to make sense of it. Goodyear's former head drag tire engineer stated that the current tires are not safe over about 305 mph. The shutdowns are too short at many tracks. The motors let go at 1100 feet and beyond. Nitro is getting scarce and extremely expensive. They could change to alky; they could lower engine size; they could add many more pounds of safety equipt and slow the cars down doing it; they could lower blower speed again; they could do many things to slow them down. All those suggestions would make the tuner throw away his hard earned logbook. All those things would cost significant $$$ and take months of poor quality racing to get back to a good show. Or.... NHRA could just simply shorten the track to 1000' timed length. It would add a needed 320' to the shutdown at all tracks; it would lower the finish line speed to about 300 MPH; it would reduce the number of motor explosions; it would make it much safer for the drivers; it would make for a better show for the fans with less downtime to clean up the track; it would not increase costs to the teams but rather reduce them. Eric Medlin, Scott Kilitta and without divine intervention, John Force. Enough already. NHRA, do something and do it now!
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2008 9:10:16 GMT -7
Wow - what news to wake up to. And to think my last thought as I went to sleep was that I forgot to Tivo the qualifying races last night as we went out to dinner with my Dad. I think I'll head downstairs and give him a big hug as you never know when your time is up.
Prayers and best wishes to the Kallitta Racing organization and to his family. What a loss to the sport.
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Tbolt
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Post by Tbolt on Jun 25, 2008 8:56:54 GMT -7
Arrangements for Scott Kalitta A public memorial service to celebrate the life of Scott Kalitta will be held this Thursday, June 26th at 7:00 p.m. at: Ernsthausen Performing Arts Center 350 Shady Lane Drive Norwalk, OH 44857 The Kalitta family appreciates your desire to send flowers to express your sympathy and asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to these charities close to Scott's heart: The school his sons attend- Saint Stephen’s Episcopal School Attn: Development Office 315 41st Street West Bradenton, FL 34209 B.R.A.K.E.S. (Be Responsible and Keep Everyone Safe) c/o Doug Herbert Performance Parts 1443 E. Gaston St. Lincolnton, NC 28092 *All donations to BRAKES will be used for the expressed purpose of saving lives and keeping our children safe. Website – www.putonthebrakes.comA private funeral service for family members will be held at a later date. Cards for Scott’s family or Connie can be sent to: Kalitta Air 818 Willow Run Airport Ypsilanti, MI 48198 Please send condolences via E-mail to: champion@kalittaracing.com Tom |
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Post by johnbalich on Jun 30, 2008 8:36:06 GMT -7
While still conducting its investigation into the details of last week's tragic accident that took the life of driver Scott Kalitta, NHRA has announced its initial findings.
It has been determined that a series of events took place resulting in the fatal outcome An engine explosion near the finish line separated of the car's body from the chassis. The car's parachutes did not deploy, and the vehicle continued down shut down area at a high speed. It went off the top end of the track, up into the right catch net pole, and hit a television camera boom beyond the end of the sand trap before coming to a rest.
The New Jersey State Police investigation team was on site the same day, working with NHRA officials as both conducted their investigation. NHRA also continued its own investigation by bringing mechanical engineer and accident reconstruction expert David McCandless, M.S. M.E., P.E., to the site. McCandless is an independent engineer with more than 15 years of experience in reconstructing vehicular accidents. McCandless worked with NHRA officials, members of the Kalitta race team, and officers from the New Jersey State Police accident investigation team on site. McCandless examined and analyzed the vehicle, the track and other data, and his investigation is still underway. The Delphi technical team and Ford recovered and are analyzing the “Blue Box” data recorder data and NHRA is using this data and analysis in its investigation.
Technical Issues to be Investigated
• Engine failure. NHRA, working with the Kalitta race team, has examined the engine, and will work with the Kalitta team and other teams to analyze what might be done to reduce such incidents in the future.
• Parachute materials. Since the parachutes did not blossom, NHRA will work with parachute manufacturers and suppliers and SFI to analyze parachute mounting techniques and materials. Even though fire does not appear to have prevented the chutes from blossoming in this situation, NHRA also will work with manufacturers and suppliers to identify a parachute material that could be more fire resistant.
• Brakes. Research will be conducted to explore whether there is a way to increase brake efficiency when cars lose downforce due to the loss of the body.
• Shutdown Area. NHRA has requested data from FIA regarding design and make-up of runoff areas in other forms of motorsports to see if it has any useful application to the unique forces in drag racing. Together with the racing community and outside groups, NHRA will research and analyze catch nets and restraint devices that are used in other applications, including military applications. In addition, NHRA will analyze additional methods that might be developed at the top end of the race track to help arrest runaway vehicles, given the speed, mass and other factors synonymous with NHRA drag racing.
• Speed. NHRA has implemented many initiatives to enhance safety including measures to keep speeds from increasing, personal protective gear, vehicle improvements, and track enhancements such as sand traps, catch nets and concrete barriers the entire length of the drag strip. NHRA is considering whether current speeds should be further limited or reduced to potentially improve safety. To analyze this issue NHRA will develop a task force that also includes members of the racing community to evaluate how to reduce the speed of Top Fuel and Funny Car vehicles.
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Post by nightrider on Jun 30, 2008 18:05:12 GMT -7
NHRA will research and analyze catch nets and restraint devices that are used in other applications, including military applications. In addition, NHRA will analyze additional methods that might be developed at the top end of the race track to help arrest runaway vehicles, given the speed, mass and other factors synonymous with NHRA drag racing.
oh really.. they need to look at the accident at Bandimere around 5 yrs ago.. Sportsman class.. (don't remember exactly) Corvette.. lost brakes.. no chute hit the sand trap and the restraints.. all was working as designed until the restraints ripped the blower off and tossed in the drivers face/chest ,, killing him..
Jim head probably has the best idea... 1/8 mile.. on the short shutdown tracks.. or a track like E town might have to be shut down and relocated... all the history there would be somewhat lost.. but maybe we could stop the loss of our drivers..
Just my .02 ..
Chris
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Post by da big ragu on Jun 30, 2008 18:09:49 GMT -7
ok guys sounds like were on to some thing but until we know what really happend we can't say much just a penny from me
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Post by johnbalich on Jun 30, 2008 19:54:21 GMT -7
well the scant facts we have .........what likely killed Kalitta was the intial fireball, coupled with lack of chute deployment. A wall at the ene of a short shutoff area is not a workable set up, but I dont think a longer shut off area would have made a difference unless it was way longer........the car did not appear to decelerate at all . The car clearly impacted directly with the TV boom rig....not a flexible object............Of course I WANT longer shutoff areas!!
I really think 1000 feet is a workable solution..........those who are sensitive to losing the "1320" can take solace in knowing all other classes but top fuel and funny car can stay on the 1320 standard.........all that is needed is a second set of finish line lights. (win light and speed traps) NHRA and other bodies have done some limitation.........we are far from the days when Top Fuel was an "unlimited' class.
at 1000 feet we pick up a fair amount of shutdown area, and lower the speed as well..... I must say the shut down area LOOKS short at that track. You know the Funny car ranks are not a huge groups of athletes.........most meets see around 18-22 guys qualifying for the top 16. To lose TWO drivers and almost Johhny Force in two years is a huge wake up call for US fans if not the NHRA. Im not looking for blame, I want solutions.
breakage is a big problem............these cars are getting so stressed and finicky that at some meets there arent that many side by side drag races.................breakage, traction loss and tire shake all take their toll.
Maybe a cut back on nitro is in the cards- they went back up to 90 percent this year............ what about 60 per cent??? The heck with the tuners and their notebooks......let em start again......or God forbid.......do we go to racing gasoline??? I want to see side by side racing whether its 270 mph or 300 cost would be affected greatly by a lower nitro limit or the shorter track
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Post by Demon340 on Jun 30, 2008 20:45:20 GMT -7
NHRA research is not moving fast enough after I saw VON SMITH
alcohol funny car go off the end of the track at NORWALK saturday.
He went right a cross the gravel trap on to the grass and it look
like he drove the car to the left so he wouldnt hit the one tree
at the end of the field if he didnt get stop in time. They did cut
the tree down for Sunday race.
TOM
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Post by johnbalich on Jul 1, 2008 10:12:26 GMT -7
cut the down the tree eh?  ? what a concept............. the severity of Kalitta's final impact with the camera rig is jaw dropping |
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That's why 'you's the boss..lol. ;D
? what a concept............. the severity of Kalitta's final impact with the camera rig is jaw dropping