Scott Kalitta bad accident

[SSTRACER323]

I got to meet Scott a couple of times while helping Chris Karamesines.
He was a good guy, never really craved the limelight.

I do not think the longer shut down would have helped in this case.
It looks like the car never slowed down, the shoots never blossomed and the car was not hopping like he was hard on the brakes.
I remember when Johnny West did the same thing.
I do think the older tracks are to short for the times and speeds they are running today. I like what Jim Head said "on the older tracks run to 1000ft.
or even half track" Most of the problems start at 1000 ft or passed.

We also heard a camera man was killed. Did any body at the track see that or hear about that too?

As long as Rt 66 is, they in the off season extended the sand pit by 30 foot. They moved the last turn off in closer and put in a bigger opening in the wall for the turn out. It is very nice now.

Over the weekend we had a Top Sportsman go into the sand with almost no damage. His shoots did not open ( they forgot to remove the safety pins) he scrubbed enough speed to just ease it in.
If it was a shorter track like some around here it could have been a lot worse.

I hope NHRA looks into the older and shorter tracks and some good comes of this. I do not believe less percent of Nitro or a gear change will solve the problem. The crew chiefs are too smart and will find away to get the cars back to speed again.

I hope we are not talking about another driver getting hurt or killed again soon. This needs to be looked at right away.

Rest easy Scott you have plenty of time till the next round.
We will miss you!

[SST1445]

There was no camera man killed or involved in any way. That was a rumor started when people saw a remote control camera fall from its location.

Talked to a few of my S/Gas buddies who saw the crash from their trailers where they were parked at the end and they said when Scott went by there was no movement in the car before he hit the traps. I also heard that the motor ended up on Pension Rd outside of the track.

[SSTRACER323]

Thanks for clearing things up on the camera man.

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.

[Pistol Pete]

If Scott hit the pole that holds the Safety Net, what is that pole made of???
It has to be strong to hold any car going into the net.
If Scott was knocked out, then he didn't stand a chance.
The other thing i want to add is: Why does NHRA need a Camera Boom at top end anyway??
Just so people can see the big screen at the shutdown area after a run.
But i guess in this case maybe they can figure out what happened.
If that's the case then, can't they relocate it way out of the way??

Can't Raceway Park make a Real Wide Turn-off to the left for more stopping distance??
Add tons of Sand to it too.
Didn't NASCAR (ugh) make there walls Padded after Dale E. died?????

I'm also in Agreement with whomever said: USE LESS NITRO.... means Safer Runs
The Nitro cars now are like time bombs, can blow at anytime.

I think you would see a lot of better runs because NOBODY SMOKED THE TIRES.........

Even Pro Stock Cars are experiencing Severe Tire Shake.
It makes it hard to be a spectator watching & enjoying these classes.

Well, i guess i said more then enough.. THICK PADDED WALLS, bottom line. JFR

Pistol Pete

[H.A.A.C. Racing]

Less Nitro, and a blower pulley rule! Let these cars go 280-290 M.P.H. and lets watch some good races. I don't like the rev limiters and all that Nitro, it's a bomb waiting to happen.

Just my opinion!