R I P scott kalitta
06-23-08, 12:26 PM
#26
*** Bless The USA
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Do they have any sort of sand pit or just that wall ?
That's terrible........ absolutely terrible. Anyone know how fast he was going when he hit the wall ? Looks like a bomb went off.
That's terrible........ absolutely terrible. Anyone know how fast he was going when he hit the wall ? Looks like a bomb went off.
06-24-08, 11:36 AM
#28
This article brings up some good points.
FULL ARTICLE:
OKAY, RON CAPPS will admit it. He had a brief reservation about going full throttle Sunday in the opening round of the National Hot Rod Association's race in Englishtown, N.J.
Less than 24 hours earlier, two-time NHRA champion Scott Kalitta, 46, one of Capps' friends and rivals in the Funny Car class, was killed in a horrifying crash during qualifications. His nitropowered Toyota caught fire and the parachutes designed to slow it down never filled. He crashed at the end of the track with a huge explosion at nearly 330 mph -- never really slowing.
"None of us wanted to race Sunday," Capps said by telephone Monday. "But we knew exactly what Scott would say to that, he'd say, 'Quit whining and get in the car.'
"And you know, once I was in the car, there was no where else I'd rather be."
And that says as much about the sport as it does Capps.
Race car drivers are daring but they aren't reckless. The exhilaration doesn't come from crossing that fine line, but of reaching it. They risk their lives, but don't want to die.
When someone does, it's a tough dose of reality. Everyone wants to make sense of it, but the only sense comes in finding out what went wrong and trying to eliminate that set of circumstances.
Problem is, each crash is different. You can improve safety in one area only to discover another vulnerability.
Kalitta's death is the second in the Funny Car class in the past 15 months. Eric Medlen died in a wreck in March 2007 in Gainesville, Fla. Medlen's car owner, 14-time NHRA champion John Force, was nearly killed in a crash last October in Dallas.
It brings to mind a similar time in NASCAR when four drivers were killed in a short span in 2000-01 -- including Richard Petty's grandson, Adam Petty, and one of the sport's greatest champions, Dale Earnhardt.
"With Eric (Medlen) and then John's accident, it got to the full front of your mind and then you have to forget about it," said Capps, a three-time champion runner-up who drives the NAPA-sponsored Dodge Charger.
"You think it's not going to happen again. And then Scott has his accident. That was hard (to race) yesterday."
The NHRA must respond as NASCAR did and use these tragedies to address safety concerns. The sport has evolved and perhaps the older venues and current safety devices haven't kept up with the increase in speed.
After Medlen's accident, Force established The Eric Medlen Project -- a research center that will use the latest in technology and input from engineers, crew chiefs and drivers to create safety innovations.
Most people believe the earliest work from the Eric Medlen Project -- specifically improvements to the driver cockpit -- may have saved Force's life in Dallas.
It may also have kept Force's daughter, Ashley, from being seriously injured in an accident at Pacific Raceways in Kent last July.
"We made more progress after almost losing John Force than we had in the previous 20 years," Capps said.
For his part, Force did not want to comment about Kalitta's accident until an investigation could be completed. His thoughts were with the family, which includes Kalitta's sons, Colin, 8, and Corey, who turns 15 on Saturday.
While Force's work with the cars is essential, it is also imperative the drag strips keep up with the times -- and the speeds. Fourteen of the 19 tracks the NHRA visits -- including Pacific Raceways -- have been holding events for more than 20 years.
The national speed record for a Top Fuel dragster in 1987 was 279.24 mph. Two years ago, Tony Schumacher upped the mark to 336.15 mph.
In most places, the shut-down areas -- the part of the track after the finish line that drivers use to slow their cars after a run -- haven't been renovated to compensate for the speed increases. The parachutes used to slow the cars haven't changed significantly, either.
Pacific Raceways general manager Doug Greenfield said he and the other venues that host a national event have been asked to participate in an NHRA conference call Wednesday that will no doubt address the Kalitta accident.
Pacific Raceways -- which will hold the 21st annual Schuck's Auto Supply NHRA Nationals July 18-20 -- has one of the longer shut-down areas on the circuit -- twice the minimum required by the NHRA, according to Greenfield. It is equipped with safety nets.
"I believe the NHRA does a fantastic job with safety and in a lot of cases we go over and above," Greenfield said. "For a national event track like ourselves, safety is number one. This isn't just our career, it's people we know."
And that's the thing about racing. When something goes horribly wrong for someone else, it is deeply personal for everyone. Drivers and crew members are fiercely competitive on race day, but likely have shared cold beers and racing tales only days before. They travel together, work elbow-to-elbow and often spend more time around each other than their own families during a 24-week schedule across the country.
Kalitta -- the son of Connie Kalitta, one of drag racing's original superstars -- was one of the guys who no one minded seeing in victory circle -- even if it came at their own expense. Like his father, Kalitta was outspoken and called it like he saw it. He was seldom without a wisecrack or a pat on the back.
And he was an accomplished driver -- winning the Top Fuel titles in 1994 and 1995, holding the distinction as one of only a handful of racers with wins in both the marquee nitro-classes, dragsters and Funny Cars. He came out of retirement twice and won three more times.
"The worst thing that can happen is we don't learn anything from losing Scott," Capps said. "He would be so mad if we didn't figure out why this happened and do something about it."
NHRA NATIONALS
FULL ARTICLE:
OKAY, RON CAPPS will admit it. He had a brief reservation about going full throttle Sunday in the opening round of the National Hot Rod Association's race in Englishtown, N.J.
Less than 24 hours earlier, two-time NHRA champion Scott Kalitta, 46, one of Capps' friends and rivals in the Funny Car class, was killed in a horrifying crash during qualifications. His nitropowered Toyota caught fire and the parachutes designed to slow it down never filled. He crashed at the end of the track with a huge explosion at nearly 330 mph -- never really slowing.
"None of us wanted to race Sunday," Capps said by telephone Monday. "But we knew exactly what Scott would say to that, he'd say, 'Quit whining and get in the car.'
"And you know, once I was in the car, there was no where else I'd rather be."
And that says as much about the sport as it does Capps.
Race car drivers are daring but they aren't reckless. The exhilaration doesn't come from crossing that fine line, but of reaching it. They risk their lives, but don't want to die.
When someone does, it's a tough dose of reality. Everyone wants to make sense of it, but the only sense comes in finding out what went wrong and trying to eliminate that set of circumstances.
Problem is, each crash is different. You can improve safety in one area only to discover another vulnerability.
Kalitta's death is the second in the Funny Car class in the past 15 months. Eric Medlen died in a wreck in March 2007 in Gainesville, Fla. Medlen's car owner, 14-time NHRA champion John Force, was nearly killed in a crash last October in Dallas.
It brings to mind a similar time in NASCAR when four drivers were killed in a short span in 2000-01 -- including Richard Petty's grandson, Adam Petty, and one of the sport's greatest champions, Dale Earnhardt.
"With Eric (Medlen) and then John's accident, it got to the full front of your mind and then you have to forget about it," said Capps, a three-time champion runner-up who drives the NAPA-sponsored Dodge Charger.
"You think it's not going to happen again. And then Scott has his accident. That was hard (to race) yesterday."
The NHRA must respond as NASCAR did and use these tragedies to address safety concerns. The sport has evolved and perhaps the older venues and current safety devices haven't kept up with the increase in speed.
After Medlen's accident, Force established The Eric Medlen Project -- a research center that will use the latest in technology and input from engineers, crew chiefs and drivers to create safety innovations.
Most people believe the earliest work from the Eric Medlen Project -- specifically improvements to the driver cockpit -- may have saved Force's life in Dallas.
It may also have kept Force's daughter, Ashley, from being seriously injured in an accident at Pacific Raceways in Kent last July.
"We made more progress after almost losing John Force than we had in the previous 20 years," Capps said.
For his part, Force did not want to comment about Kalitta's accident until an investigation could be completed. His thoughts were with the family, which includes Kalitta's sons, Colin, 8, and Corey, who turns 15 on Saturday.
While Force's work with the cars is essential, it is also imperative the drag strips keep up with the times -- and the speeds. Fourteen of the 19 tracks the NHRA visits -- including Pacific Raceways -- have been holding events for more than 20 years.
The national speed record for a Top Fuel dragster in 1987 was 279.24 mph. Two years ago, Tony Schumacher upped the mark to 336.15 mph.
In most places, the shut-down areas -- the part of the track after the finish line that drivers use to slow their cars after a run -- haven't been renovated to compensate for the speed increases. The parachutes used to slow the cars haven't changed significantly, either.
Pacific Raceways general manager Doug Greenfield said he and the other venues that host a national event have been asked to participate in an NHRA conference call Wednesday that will no doubt address the Kalitta accident.
Pacific Raceways -- which will hold the 21st annual Schuck's Auto Supply NHRA Nationals July 18-20 -- has one of the longer shut-down areas on the circuit -- twice the minimum required by the NHRA, according to Greenfield. It is equipped with safety nets.
"I believe the NHRA does a fantastic job with safety and in a lot of cases we go over and above," Greenfield said. "For a national event track like ourselves, safety is number one. This isn't just our career, it's people we know."
And that's the thing about racing. When something goes horribly wrong for someone else, it is deeply personal for everyone. Drivers and crew members are fiercely competitive on race day, but likely have shared cold beers and racing tales only days before. They travel together, work elbow-to-elbow and often spend more time around each other than their own families during a 24-week schedule across the country.
Kalitta -- the son of Connie Kalitta, one of drag racing's original superstars -- was one of the guys who no one minded seeing in victory circle -- even if it came at their own expense. Like his father, Kalitta was outspoken and called it like he saw it. He was seldom without a wisecrack or a pat on the back.
And he was an accomplished driver -- winning the Top Fuel titles in 1994 and 1995, holding the distinction as one of only a handful of racers with wins in both the marquee nitro-classes, dragsters and Funny Cars. He came out of retirement twice and won three more times.
"The worst thing that can happen is we don't learn anything from losing Scott," Capps said. "He would be so mad if we didn't figure out why this happened and do something about it."
NHRA NATIONALS
06-24-08, 12:07 PM
#29
InsaneRotaries.com
Tony Pedregon talking about how alot of tracks haven't keep up with the incease speed of these cars...
http://youtube.com/watch?v=NCwqZ-FHi0k
http://youtube.com/watch?v=NCwqZ-FHi0k
06-24-08, 02:01 PM
#30
Just search Youtube there are more vid's of it. The explosion before he hit the wall was massive. We will probably never see the video from the boom shots at the end of the track.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LleMI95eSNM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LleMI95eSNM
06-24-08, 02:19 PM
#31
06-24-08, 02:22 PM
#32
Stay tuned...
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Tribute...
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Mxj...lated
Interesting Interview...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LimLfCwblck
Funny car loses body at 300mph...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2OyDxx6On8
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Mxj...lated
Interesting Interview...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LimLfCwblck
Funny car loses body at 300mph...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2OyDxx6On8
Last edited by AnthonyNYC; 06-24-08 at 02:31 PM.
06-24-08, 04:03 PM
#33
He was driving it all the way to the end.
That's some serious driver control for the conditions.
Also says a lot for the roll cage safety. His head was being contain by the funny car cage.
06-28-08, 02:25 AM
#35
NHRA releases initial findings from tragedy at Englishtown; announces initiatives moving forward
http://www.nhra.com/content/news/30197.htm
6/27/2008
While still conducting its investigation into the details of last week's tragic accident that took the life of driver Scott Kalitta, NHRA announced today some of its initial findings and subsequent steps being taken to continue its efforts to make the sport safer.
The loss of Scott Kalitta, a passionate champion driver and devoted family man, still weighs heavy on the hearts of everyone at NHRA, as we reflect on his many accomplishments and pass along our deepest condolences to his wife Kathy, his sons Corey and Colin, his father Connie, his cousin Doug, the entire Kalitta family and team, and all those he left behind.
It has been determined that a tragic series of events took place that fateful afternoon. An engine explosion near the end of the run resulted in separating most of the car's body from the chassis. The car's parachutes did not blossom, and the vehicle continued down the right side of the shut down area at a high rate of speed. It went off the top end of the track, up into the right catch net pole, and hit the television camera boom beyond the end of the sand trap before coming to a rest.
This sequence of events resulted in the passing of the two-time world champion and veteran second-generation driver.
The New Jersey State Police investigation team was on site the same day, working with NHRA officials as both conducted their investigation. Once it becomes available, NHRA will analyze the State Police report for any additional information on the incident. 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.
After its preliminary investigation, NHRA identified several areas to analyze and determine whether changes should be made to build upon the sport's long standing safety record, given the inherent risks and ever-present dangers associated with race cars traveling a quarter mile at more than 300 mph.
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. In light of this tragic incident, NHRA is looking into the 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.
NHRA will continue to seek and welcome input from race teams on these and other issues in the coming weeks and months ahead. NHRA will release additional information from its ongoing investigation as it becomes available, as well as provide updates on the recently announced initiatives.
http://www.nhra.com/content/news/30197.htm
6/27/2008
While still conducting its investigation into the details of last week's tragic accident that took the life of driver Scott Kalitta, NHRA announced today some of its initial findings and subsequent steps being taken to continue its efforts to make the sport safer.
The loss of Scott Kalitta, a passionate champion driver and devoted family man, still weighs heavy on the hearts of everyone at NHRA, as we reflect on his many accomplishments and pass along our deepest condolences to his wife Kathy, his sons Corey and Colin, his father Connie, his cousin Doug, the entire Kalitta family and team, and all those he left behind.
It has been determined that a tragic series of events took place that fateful afternoon. An engine explosion near the end of the run resulted in separating most of the car's body from the chassis. The car's parachutes did not blossom, and the vehicle continued down the right side of the shut down area at a high rate of speed. It went off the top end of the track, up into the right catch net pole, and hit the television camera boom beyond the end of the sand trap before coming to a rest.
This sequence of events resulted in the passing of the two-time world champion and veteran second-generation driver.
The New Jersey State Police investigation team was on site the same day, working with NHRA officials as both conducted their investigation. Once it becomes available, NHRA will analyze the State Police report for any additional information on the incident. 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.
After its preliminary investigation, NHRA identified several areas to analyze and determine whether changes should be made to build upon the sport's long standing safety record, given the inherent risks and ever-present dangers associated with race cars traveling a quarter mile at more than 300 mph.
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. In light of this tragic incident, NHRA is looking into the 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.
NHRA will continue to seek and welcome input from race teams on these and other issues in the coming weeks and months ahead. NHRA will release additional information from its ongoing investigation as it becomes available, as well as provide updates on the recently announced initiatives.
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