Get a clue there is no wall, just the concrete guard rail along side the 100ft sand trap like it is on the whole track. Maybe they NJ Turnpike should be closed along with every other road in the US that had a fatal crash.
This was the first fatal crash ever at a NHRA National event at Englishtown and they have run NHRA races there since the 1968 NHRA Springnationals 40 years ago.
8.1 Van wrote: Get a clue there is no wall, just the concrete guard rail along side the 100ft sand trap like it is on the whole track. Maybe they NJ Turnpike should be closed along with every other road in the US that had a fatal crash.
This was the first fatal crash ever at a NHRA National event at Englishtown and they have run NHRA races there since the 1968 NHRA Springnationals 40 years ago.
I've never been to Englishtown...but looking at the picture it sure looks like a concrete wall/guardrail arcing in across the plane of the track at the end of the gravel trap to protect Pension Road shown in the picture. If you're sitting in a car running 200+ mph and you strike a concrete structure..I don't think it will make much difference if it's 3' high or 12' high. Somethings going to give and I don't think it will be the concrete.
If he blew through the trap like they said he did I don't think it would make much difference on the angle at which this wall/guard rail was hit...if it is in fact a wall/guard rail there and it was hit. I do think it was long over for him consciously, before he got to the wall/guard rail though...at least I hope so.
I don't think anyone is jumping to the conclusion that the track needs to be closed, but it never hurts to see if safety can be improved at these tracks regardless of how safe they may have been in the past. I mean if that were the case the argument for not putting in soft walls could be that there's only a fatality every "X" number of years at most high speed race tracks..why put in soft walls? With the speeds that today's race cars run it's always time to take a look at all track structures and evaluate the risks. Just because it was safe yesterday doesn't mean it's safe today. Speeds have increased drastically since some of these places were constructed.
One proposal floated out there is to decrease the track length from 1/4 to 1/8 mile....don't know if I'm in favor of that one though..but it may be the only alternative if run offs are inadequate at 1/4 mile tracks at today's speeds.
I'm just saying........
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A bumble bee is considerably faster than your standard John Deere lawn tractor
Some days you're the bug...some days you're the windshield
I'm not saying the track needs to be closed - but after looking at our local track with Google Earth showing a gravel-filled runaway strip that appears to be at least an 1/8 of a mile long (I'm guessing about 4 times longer than NJ) with NO concrete at the end of a 1/2 mile runout strip.... well, I just hope the NHRA sets some standards for track safety, that's all.
That nobody was killed there in past years might be a testament to the ability of the drivers ;-)
Knoll Gas Motorsports Park must be in the middle of nowhere compared to Englishtown that is between NYC and Philadelphia with about 20 million people within 50 miles of the track and no chance of expanding.
8.1 Van wrote: There is not a single track in the NHRA POWERade Series that is safe for someone not using any brakes or chute after a 300+ MPH run.
I agree with you on that point...I'm just saying that this should be a wake up call to all tracks...both straight line and roundy/rounds to look and see if everything that can logically be done for safety is being done. You can't plan for every contingency..and there's inherited risk involved in motorsports. But as a track owner I don't think it hurts to look at what you have and see if it can be improved upon from time to time. Maybe Cloud Dancer can weigh in on this being a former track owner. No one wants to see anyone get hurt..it's just bad for the sport all the way around.
If you've done all that you can...then it's up to the competitors and the sanctioning body to decide if the rewards outweigh the risks at a particular venue.
Maybe it's time to take another look at the cars themselves and try to come up with a solution to the chutes burning off...that in reality was his only hope if he was unable to use the brakes...Or somehow make the brakes actuate under extreme circumstances without driver initiation....not that it would help if the tires were gone...but who knows. If the technology is there why not utilize it?
I don't fault the track in this case...I think Englishtown has done it's best to ensure that their venue is as safe as is possible for the competitors and the fans. This is just an unfortunate event that occurred at their facility. I feel as bad for the track management there as I do for Kalitta family. Such an event has impact on them as well.
Joe it seems that Scott was a personal friend of yours...and for that I'm sorry for your loss...I have experienced your pain.....
Yes, it's hard to see him gone after watching him as a kid at the drag races when his dad raced the Bounty Hunter. I remember when his dad was racing someone elses Top Fuel dragster in qualifying at the 1971 US Nationals at Indy and my two kid brothers and I were standing by the finish line and he had one of the worst crashes ever. He flew through the air and crashed into the left side finish line sign about 30 ft up and broke into many pieces with him sitting on the track with only the roll cage. The crash was re-created in the movie Heart like a Wheel because he was going out with Shirley Muldowney at the time and she drove the push truck on that run.
A statement on the passing of Scott Kalitta from Kalitta Motorsports
Scott Kalitta was our champion, our hero and our friend. He was a son, a father, a husband, a cousin, a friend, and a racer. He, along with his father, Connie, and cousin, Doug, was a cornerstone of Kalitta Motorsports that cannot be replaced. His passing last Saturday has left not only our team but the entire NHRA drag racing community reeling. The outpouring of support from our competitors, friends, and race fans has been immeasurable and for that we are tremendously grateful.
Scott's legendary career on the race tracks throughout the world proved that he was unequalled as a racer, but his magnanimous personality is his most endearing legacy. He was tough as nails, but with a heart of gold.
Kalitta Motorsports will carry on and continue to race because that's what we do, and we feel certain Scott would want us too, but we obviously will never be the same, nor should we be.
Scott will always be with us in everything we do as a team and as individuals. His spirit shall forever remain indelible and untarnished.
“Having the last name Kalitta didn't make me a racer, but it definitely makes me want to be a winner.” – Scott Kalitta
Notable quotes
Connie Kalitta, Scott's father, drag racing legend and team owner:
“I certainly appreciate everyone's thoughts, prayers and support in this most difficult time. Losing a family member is always tough, but losing my son has been incredibly hard. Scott was a great racer and a great son, but most importantly, he was a great husband to his wife, Kathy, and a wonderful father to his boys, Corey and Colin. Scott died doing what he loved to do, and I am very proud of what we accomplished together both on the track and off.”
Doug Kalitta, Scott's cousin and driver of the Mac Tools Top Fuel dragster :
“Words just don't seem to do Scott justice. He was so much bigger than life, and we all thought he was invincible. He loved being in a race car, and he was a great driver. We grew up together, and I really can't imagine my life without him in it, but we will come together as a family and as a team and carry on in his honor.”
Hillary Will, driver of the KB Racing, LLC Top Fuel dragster:
“Scott was like a big brother to me. I feel very fortunate to have known him and have him in my life both as a friend and as a mentor. He was always very supportive and encouraging to me as a person and as a Top Fuel driver. I'm so glad now that our team got our first win a couple of weeks ago and Scott was in the winner's circle with us. We will always miss him.”
Dave Grubnic, driver of the DHL Top Fuel dragster:
“Scott was more than just my teammate. He was always there for me whenever I had a problem, regardless of the nature. He was a great racer and a champion, and I was proud to be his teammate. Scott Kalitta was my friend, and he will be deeply missed. My sincere and heartfelt condolences go out to Scott's wife Kathy, his sons Corey and Colin, Connie, Doug, and the entire Kalitta family.”
Maybe it's time to take another look at the cars themselves and try to come up with a solution to the chutes burning off...that in reality was his only hope if he was unable to use the brakes...
Just a curious question - in the ESPN video I watched, I saw a chute deployed - just one. Did Kalitta's car have two chutes and one burned off??
Maybe it's time to take another look at the cars themselves and try to come up with a solution to the chutes burning off...that in reality was his only hope if he was unable to use the brakes...
Just a curious question - in the ESPN video I watched, I saw a chute deployed - just one. Did Kalitta's car have two chutes and one burned off??
Deb
I truly don't know....all I know in major fires especially with Funnies the chutes usually become involved and at that point are pretty ineffective in providing much braking....I believe the lines on the chutes were extended in length years ago to help prevent this but I could be fuzzy in my memory.....
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