Scott Kalitta dies

Oregon · 06-21-2008, 08:08 PM

Scott Kalitta, 46, RIP.

http://www.nhra.com/content/news/30033.htm

atr_hugo · 06-21-2008, 08:33 PM

Not good - has drag racing broken through some technical barrier that's impacting safety? I don't follow it closely but there seems to have been a spate of bad accidents in the past year or two.

(And by not following it closely I may have missed that this is not too far from the norm - but when I hear the 'old family names', Force and now Kalitta, involved I tend to perk up a bit.)

mikeo · 06-21-2008, 10:04 PM

On this particular track in NJ there was a wall at the end of the track instead of other 'safety' type runoff. In the video the engine and/or blower exploded then flames appeared to destroy the chute and the car smacked into that wall explosively--must have been doing 200mph. Shame Kalitta lost his life, he probably would have survived the fire.

atr_hugo · 06-21-2008, 10:14 PM

I wasn't aware of Englishtown's configuration. Most of the tracks have significant run-off for just such contingencies. Las Vegas actually inclines the lanes in the run-off area (leading to a gravel trap).

Heinzftw · 06-22-2008, 02:42 AM

They showed the race on espn earlier. Wow is all I can say. That was one of the most viscous crashes I have seen..

Oregon · 06-22-2008, 03:27 AM

The Force accident was provoked by an engine explosion, Kalitta has now died as a result of an engine explosion. Top fuel/funny cars run 8,000HP, those engines are hand-grenades waiting to happen. An aircraft-grade 7075 billet-aluminum block can only withstand so much internal pressure before ultimate failure occurs. NHRA is surely aware the engines are at the limit of what is reasonable to expect engine-structures to withstand.

BForbes · 06-22-2008, 11:46 AM

That is really sad. Like they say, ''you live by the sword you die by the sword."

Severious · 06-22-2008, 02:19 PM

The issue with safety and drag racing IMHO has come from focusing more and more on the car and overlooked in many ways, the track.

A lot of tracks were build originally for much slower speeds and have had renovations over the years to try to keep pace, but in many ways they aren't enough. Some tracks are too short, thin lanes, weak barriers, inadequate maintenance, etc....

The cars are just about as safe as we can make them, but what I would look at is track safety...

changed · 06-22-2008, 03:42 PM

RIP.. spent many of my younger years at uk strips, brave men

06-21-2008, 08:08 PM	#1
Oregon NRA Life Member, BMW CCA 30 year member 181 Rep 2,614 Posts Drives: 04' M3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Oregon iTrader: (1) Garage List 1971 2002 [0.00] 2004 M3 [0.00] 2008 135i [0.00]	Scott Kalitta dies Scott Kalitta, 46, RIP. http://www.nhra.com/content/news/30033.htm __________________ Resigned 1ADDICTS Moderator “To disarm the people is the best and most effective way to enslave them.” – George Mason
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06-21-2008, 08:33 PM	#2
atr_hugo No longer moderate 325 Rep 4,401 Posts Drives: '13 135i Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: - iTrader: (0)	Not good - has drag racing broken through some technical barrier that's impacting safety? I don't follow it closely but there seems to have been a spate of bad accidents in the past year or two. (And by not following it closely I may have missed that this is not too far from the norm - but when I hear the 'old family names', Force and now Kalitta, involved I tend to perk up a bit.)
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06-21-2008, 10:04 PM	#3
mikeo Santa Fe Concorso 103 Rep 2,984 Posts Drives: '11 M-sport 328i, '13 X1 28i Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Santa Fe, NM iTrader: (3)	On this particular track in NJ there was a wall at the end of the track instead of other 'safety' type runoff. In the video the engine and/or blower exploded then flames appeared to destroy the chute and the car smacked into that wall explosively--must have been doing 200mph. Shame Kalitta lost his life, he probably would have survived the fire. __________________ Santa Fe Concorso - The Southwest's Premier Automotive Gathering.
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06-21-2008, 10:14 PM	#4
atr_hugo No longer moderate 325 Rep 4,401 Posts Drives: '13 135i Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: - iTrader: (0)	I wasn't aware of Englishtown's configuration. Most of the tracks have significant run-off for just such contingencies. Las Vegas actually inclines the lanes in the run-off area (leading to a gravel trap).
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06-22-2008, 03:27 AM	#6
Oregon NRA Life Member, BMW CCA 30 year member 181 Rep 2,614 Posts Drives: 04' M3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Oregon iTrader: (1) Garage List 1971 2002 [0.00] 2004 M3 [0.00] 2008 135i [0.00]	The Force accident was provoked by an engine explosion, Kalitta has now died as a result of an engine explosion. Top fuel/funny cars run 8,000HP, those engines are hand-grenades waiting to happen. An aircraft-grade 7075 billet-aluminum block can only withstand so much internal pressure before ultimate failure occurs. NHRA is surely aware the engines are at the limit of what is reasonable to expect engine-structures to withstand. __________________ Resigned 1ADDICTS Moderator “To disarm the people is the best and most effective way to enslave them.” – George Mason
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06-22-2008, 11:46 AM	#7
BForbes Moderator 559 Rep 4,240 Posts Drives: BSM 135i/AW E90 M3 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Orlando, FL iTrader: (0)	That is really sad. Like they say, ''you live by the sword you die by the sword." __________________ - 04 Honda S2000(gone)
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06-22-2008, 02:19 PM	#8
Severious Private 4 Rep 69 Posts Drives: Join Date: Jun 2008 iTrader: (0)	The issue with safety and drag racing IMHO has come from focusing more and more on the car and overlooked in many ways, the track. A lot of tracks were build originally for much slower speeds and have had renovations over the years to try to keep pace, but in many ways they aren't enough. Some tracks are too short, thin lanes, weak barriers, inadequate maintenance, etc.... The cars are just about as safe as we can make them, but what I would look at is track safety... __________________ 135i Manual Transmission Sparkling Graphite Metallic Black Boston Leather Walnut Trim Sport Package, Cold Weather Package, Ipod/USB interface, Premium Audio, BMW Security System Ordered: March 8, 2008 RE-ordered: June 20, 2008 Production complete: July 7, 2008 Delivered: August 5, 2008
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06-22-2008, 03:42 PM	#9
changed Lieutenant 25 Rep 410 Posts Drives: F10 Msport Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Surrey iTrader: (0)	RIP.. spent many of my younger years at uk strips, brave men
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