Scott Kalitta...dead at 46!

[Xplantdad]

He was killed in a funny car accident at Englishtown today!

RIP Scott! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

[shor]

i saw it.
very very very sad
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

[ss427copo]

I just got home from ETown...........I'm physically sick to my stomach. As a racer who ran Super Comp up to a couple of seasons ago, this is always the toughest part...... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

GOD Speed, my friend.

Jeff x 2 http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif
NHRA 1060 SC

[VintageMusclecar]

This has to be one of the most horrifying crashes I've ever seen.

ESPN did re-play a video of the accident, it's up on youtube as of now...please view at your discretion

Link (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DziJdGwFQjU)

Rest in peace Scott.

Eric

[1968 nova ss]

a bad deal for sure,Especially sad to see the loss of a racer and or car guy.sad day indeed .RIP.Scott

[JChlupsa]

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/25306329/

[Norwood]

God Bless Scott and his Family....Very Sad


I am a big Drag Race fan and have been for 40 years. These cars run on the edge all the time. They need to slow them down. I don't think the average fan can tell the difference between a 4.70 and a 5.20 JMHO

[Shankin]

That is terrible. God speed scott.

[BBIGG BLOCK 396]

Have you guys heard about what happened to Scott Kalitta ! He was killed today at Englishtown I believe that is where the accident was,he died from injuries sustained from the crash maybe this link will work to the video!Very sad day,a great loss to the Dragracing community! He will certainly be missed!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DziJdGwFQjU

[Norm reynolds]

I just watched the video I see the car caught fire but what happen in the end did it hit a wall or blow up That was one of the most violet crashes I have ever seen http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
I did not know Scott but I did know Connie and will just let it go at that

here is the video
http://msn.foxsports.com/other/story/8269208?MSNHPHCP&GT1=39002

[396L35]

That sucks. God speed Scott. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif

[CC Rider]

RIP http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

[VintageMusclecar]

Accoding to a report on Yahoo news (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080622/ap_on_sp_au_ra_ne/car_nhra_driver_killed;_ylt=AqVPLCz8VbLlWafvrYHIcT us0NUE), he actually survived the accident and passed away shortly afterwards at the hospital.

Eric

[CC Rider]

Made our local news here. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

RIP

[Norm reynolds]

Ok I watch the video a few times in slow motion I can see he hit the parachute opened and by what I can see it looks like he hit a crane The question is what in the Hell is a crane doing at the end of the track When I used to race down at Atco at the end there was about a ½ mile of sand If the crane was not there He might of made it was any one there??/
Was that a crane I see in the end of the video????

[Late BrakeU2]

It looks like there was some K rail perpendicular to the track,which launched the car into the boom. Appears to be a camera man in the basket filming head on angle of the runs. He could have been seriously injured had it been a few feet further to drivers right.

[BBIGG BLOCK 396]

I read somewhere that someone said it was a camera pole! Maybe they were using a camera on a crane boom or something. Very sad day for Motorsports Racing.My thoughts and Prayers go out to all Scotts Family and Friends and fans. BOD BLESS!

[KevinW]

I was at e-town friday night. Saw the news about scott on TV. RIP. ESPN has a bunch of booms with camaras located around the track. The one on the end of the track is behind the nets. The end of the track is sand, net, boom camera, trees, gully and Pension rd.

A Top fuel dragster went into the net friday night after an almost record run and the boom camera showed it on the big screen in real time. I'm sure Scotts footage from that vantage point will show up eventually http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

[Dog427435]

What a shame - Our prayers are with the Kalittas

[Motion Camaro]

<font color="blue">What a tragedy. It is unbelievable whenever this happens in the racing world.
Every time you think of (or bitch about) how safe the NHRA is making the sport ... </font>


.

[x Baldwin Motion]

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q101/65z13/MissingMan.jpg

This completely sucks. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif Prayers to the family.

[JChlupsa]

NHRA put together a tribute site

http://www.nhra.com/2008/kalitta/index.html

theres a link above the photo gallery for people wishing to send Condolences to the Kalitta family

[PeteLeathersac]

What terrible news for any family!.
Sincere condolences to Scott's wife and two boys also Connie and the entire Kalitta family..

~ Pete

[SUSQ]

Awful, just awful. The guy sure was a competitor. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Kalitta family and teams.

Some pretty strong opinions here: http://wediditforlove.com/Kalitta.html

[Norm reynolds]

I suspect there should be criminal chargers should be in order by having a
cement retaining wall after passing through a token sand trap, oh and with a catch net, another drivers horror. What were they thinking if that cement wall at the end of the track was not there no drought Scott would have survived I cant believe they have a
cement retaining wall at the end of the track for cars going over 300 mph to me that is criminal or just plan stupid
I know it will not bring Scott back but maybe this will be a wake up call for more safer
Track and for god sake get rid of that cement retaining wall at the end before some one else hit it and gets killed

[shor]

OK Norm.
Pull yourself together. I can't stand how everyone becomes an expert after the fact.
Damn Monday Morning Quarterbacks.
I saw the accident in person. I could say alot also, but all I said was it was very very sad.
My heart goes out to the family.
I don't think you should be shouting from the rooftops what you are not happy about.
I guess in a perfect world all racetracks should have a 2 mile slow down area, with a beach at the end of the strip as well.
Raceway Park is an NHRA certified track.
and yes, Drag Racing is dangerous.
And you think there should be criminal charges(sp)?
are you a prosecutor? do you have a law degree?
You also are letting us know that there are no doubts in your mind that he would have survived if things were set up differently?? no doubt whatsoever? really? are you certain? his family may be reading this thread. are you certain you have no doubts? how can you make such a statement?
are you an engineer as well? a doctor?
I don't post much anymore, but I consider the Napp brothers friends of mine and I will not sit by idly here while you call for a public lynching on MY favorite site. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsdown.gif

Like I said, pull yourself together.

[shor]

raceway park sand

http://www.yenko.net/attachments/344601-racewayparksand.jpg

[shor]

Atco sand

http://www.yenko.net/attachments/344602-atcosand.jpg

[shor]

Gateway sand

http://www.yenko.net/attachments/344603-gatewaysand.jpg

[ss427copo]

My .02 cents. I was there at the scales on the return road. Scott appeared to be unconsious from the crankshaft engine xxplosion. The was NO attempt to brake and the laundry never blossomed to scrubs off speed. Monmentum carried the car past the traps and my guess he hit the sand and catapaulted at about 200-225 mph. THAT is not what sand traps are for. At an underheard speed off 200, the sand did what it could; the TV booms was off to the right of the right lane. If it wasn't the, along with the stand of trees, ETown regulars like myself know that the top-end sits higher then Pension Road and Scott would have become airbourne, crossed the road and crashed into the Pension Road "overflow" parking lot. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Jeff x 2 http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif

[shor]

Norm's quote concerning Atco" <font color="red"> When I used to race down at Atco at the end there was about a ½ mile of sand </font> "

Norm's quote concerning Raceway Park " <font color="red"> after passing through a token sand trap</font> "

I have raced at Raceway Park and Gateway and to tell you the truth, I have never seen the sand. I know it's there, just that I have never made it down that far to see it or look at it.
Norm's claim of "a half mile of sand at Atco, and only a token of sand at Raceway Park" struck me as rather odd.
Rather than comment on it then, I decided to do a little research of my own. Below is the results of my research.

[shor]

Raceway Park Sand Trap Length 126 feet

web link (http://www.yenko.net/photos/showphoto.php/photo/4222/size/big/cat/500/page/1)

[shor]

Atco Sand Trap Length 119 feet

web page (http://www.yenko.net/photos/showphoto.php/photo/4223/size/big/cat/500/page/1)

[Chevy454]

A couple of posts from racers in this thread ("") over at one of the S/S sites...

[ QUOTE ]
I was at Englishtown for all 4 days of the event; and, of course, I witnessed the tragedy on Saturday. From what I observed, and from what I was told by observers at the top end, the net never came in to play. The reason for that is that the car drifted to the right, which caused it to miss the sand trap and the net, and it then went into the wall at an extremely high rate of speed. The parachutes never deployed, either because they became tangled or they were burned off. The brakes apparently were never applied, either because Scott was unconscious; or, as Jim Head pointed out, the brake cables were burned to the point of making the brakes inoperable. There are still far more questions than there are answers; I for one hope that the NHRA investigates this thoroughly and gives us a plausible reason for this tragedy.
Bill Seabrooks - superfan1

[/ QUOTE ]

[ QUOTE ]
My brother who was the lead in Earnhardts death was flown to NJ by NHRA Sunday night to gather data and try to figure out what happened. He also worked with NHRA on the Darrell Russell wreck. The car was still under power when it hit at the end so even though the explosion the motor was still running.

Herb McCandless Jr

[/ QUOTE ]

[bowtie3168]

Norm reynolds, your comments are inaccurate, in the future it may be a good idea to know and understand all of the information pertaining to a subject before making such a statement. Criminal would describe someone making the comment like the one that you made.
Andrew Hinckley

[Chevy454]

Andrew: I was wondering if you were watching...holler @ me when you get a chance.

[bowtie3168]

ok

[Verne_Frantz]

I'm not playng the blame game at all, but will pass on some info I believe to be true. About 15 years ago a racer went off the end of the track before the posts and concrete curved wall were in place. He went through the woods, across Pension road and finally stopped in a field on the other side which the Napps also own. The driver was ok and no one on the road was killed. The township made the track put up "something" to keep cars from ever getting within a certain distance of Pension Rd.
I don't think this tragedy is anyone's fault.

May Scott rest in peace and his family find comfort.

Verne

[69hurstSC]

There were reports the car was still traveling at 300mph when it crashed. NASCAR hasnt had a death in its top 3 divisions since 2001. I wonder when there going to shorten these tracks to 1/8 mile?
RIP Scott

[Norm reynolds]

I was pm a road trip and had on Sirius # 147 road dog channel
They had a show talking about this
Was reported that the cement wall MUST be removed asp per NHRA
Also talks of the track owners might be sued for have that cement wall were
it should have not been This I do not see the point It will not bring back Scott but it might save some one else
I not going to get in a pissing mach over this all In said was In my heart Scott might
Of survived if the wall were not there. either way was if was a very stupid on the tracks owner
Putting that wall there I know it is after the fact and it can not bring Scott back
I never meant Scott but I did have a few run ins with Connie Worked 18 year’s for DHL\
And I would have run in form Connie from time to time at the airport and about problems with his planes
He has a fleet of DC 8s and 747s all I can say boy he is some peace work and bull headed as hell

[Chevy454]

[ QUOTE ]
Was reported that the cement wall MUST be removed asp per NHRA

[/ QUOTE ]
Ummm...doesn't that wall *have* to be there? There is a public HIGHWAY beyond the end of the track...can't imagine anyone would wanna accept the possible liability of a car leaving E-town property and t-boning someone in traffic that just happens to be passing by? The racers sign a waiver, not the folks commuting on Pension Rd...

I know there has to be certain standards for safety, but anyone that's raced has accepted that liability/responsibility...if you don't feel safe, then don't leave the line, it's simple, and your personal call. Anyone who's done much drag racing has been to a track that feels a little shaky here or there...short shut down area, or shut down area rough &amp; full of whoop-tee-do's, or track too rough, or too narrow, or whatever...if it doesn't feel Kosher, then push back in the trailer...simple!

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

[ QUOTE ]
...if you don't feel safe, then don't leave the line, it's simple, and your personal call. Anyone who's done much drag racing has been to a track that feels a little shaky here or there...

[/ QUOTE ]

Exactly!

[larry_csa]

Rob E-mail me when you get time
Larry

[bowtie3168]

I find it very interesting all of the "experts" that have comments to contribute from their armchairs. The accident report is yet to be completed. Everyone feels for the family in this situation, I was there when this occured, I had met Scott on a few occasions and have helped Mr Kalitta with his hospitality suite in the past. The only negative comments that have been made by people who are not qualified to make judgement. P.S. before making ref to the safety record of the other track mentioned please check the fatal accident record of that track, if you do not understand what I am refering to please feel free to research and ask. Andrew

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Andrew, can you tell us anything more about the accident/investigation that would help dispell the trash talk? Has anything been concluded, or is the investigation still ongoing?

[NCGuy68]

Lets hope that NHRA does a better job of the investigation then did NASCAR'S investigation of Dale Earnhardt's death.

[ORIGLS6]

That had to be a terrible scene from your vantage point Andrew.

No matter how many safety controls and policies are in place, there will always be SOMETHING you can't plan for. This was apparently one of those unfortunate instances.

In my opinion NHRA has shown their willingness recently to do whatever they can to improve safety conditions and I can only expect they will continue in the light of this situation. Englishtown has a great history. Let's not bash the track or the officials for an 'accident'.

[Norm reynolds]

Was reported that the cement wall MUST be removed asp per NHRA
Rob I was only telling as I herd it on Sirius

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Norm, you have got to improve on the spelling and grammar - you're making us PA folks look bad!

[bowtie3168]

Norm, you are really pushing me. Since when is Sirius radio an accurate source for this type of situation? I work there, and I was there. The faceless company that you are attacking is a family that has made safety updates over the past 40+ years without being require to. Think before typing. Andrew

[300deluxeL79]

NHRA has released some initial findings...
http://www.nhra.com/content/news/30197.htm

[ss427copo]

[ QUOTE ]
Norm, you are really pushing me. Since when is Sirius radio an accurate source for this type of situation? I work there, and I was there. The faceless company that you are attacking is a family that has made safety updates over the past 40+ years without being require to. Think before typing. Andrew

[/ QUOTE ]

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif The Napp Family, all my racing there is 1st class.

Jeff x 2 http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif
(nhra1060sc)

[Norm reynolds]

Trust me I AM NOT trying to start a fight here
I just can not for the life of me know why they did not fix the track and make it safer
( Ummm...doesn't that wall *have* to be there? There is a public HIGHWAY beyond the end of the track...can't imagine anyone would wanna accept the possible liability of a car leaving E-town property and t-boning someone in traffic that just happens to be passing by? The racers sign a waiver, not the folks commuting on Pension Rd.).. THEN THERE HAS TO BE ANOTHER WAY but a cement wall is just dumb and NOT the answer
if this was the case and if I was the owner I would fix this before any more cars going 300 + heading for a cement wall This is just plan stupid and I still feel that this all could have been avoided if some one had some common sense A friend of mine is a New Jersey state trooper
we talked about this this morning and his take was the track was at fault As he put it. it is like having a cement wall at the end of run way and a plane lands and slams in to it the wall. He feals that the wall should have never been there I am ending this because this will not bring back Scott I just hope some one learned from this
tragic accident

[Casey Marks]

I think the sandbox at the end of the track is too short. Just my opinion.

Regardless, when talking to my Mac tool guy when he came to the shop yesterday, he said that the memorial at Norwalk was very moving and a great tribute to Scott. And he said that John Force was the most somber he'd ever seen .......

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Thanks for the link to the NHRA site, it mimics the statements made by NHRA evp of ops yesterday at Norwalk.

[69hurstSC]

Brainerd International Raceway is my home dragstrip. BIR is the longest dragstrip and also has a 200mph corner at the end of the straightaway. It boggles my mind that there are cement walls set up to stop cars!?! NHRA is more to blame than the dragstrip. There should be mandates set with minimum sandtraps lengths and additional safety devices.

[bowtie3168]

Gentlemen I understand that you are trying to make sense of the loss of a great racer. You all do not understand the design of the shutdown area and how it works, I do not say that in a condecending way but all of the second guessing is not appreciated. Andrew Hinckley

[Chateau Slate 66]

[ QUOTE ]
Gentlemen I understand that you are trying to make sense of the loss of a great racer. You all do not understand the design of the shutdown area and how it works, I do not say that in a condecending way but all of the second guessing is not appreciated. Andrew Hinckley

[/ QUOTE ]


It obviously did not work very well in this case.

While myself and others may not be experts on the "design of the shutdown area and how it works", we are still entitled to our own opinions, right or wrong. To think that your opinion is the only one that matters is "not appreciated" either.

[bowtie3168]

YOU DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH INFORMATION TO DETERMINE THE CONCLUSION YOU HAVE REACHED! "It obviously did not work very well in this case." Were you there? You do have the right to your opinion. Make sure that you understand before attacking.

[ss427copo]

Hot off the wire...... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif

GLENDORA, Calif. -- As the investigation continues into the tragic accident that took the life of driver Scott Kalitta, NHRA announced today that beginning at the Mopar Mile High Nationals in Denver, Colorado, both the Top Fuel and Funny Car classes will race to 1,000 feet instead of the traditional 1,320 feet or one-quarter mile. This is an interim step that is being taken while NHRA continues 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 the sport.
This interim change was made by NHRA in collaboration with professional race teams. NHRA believes that racing the Top Fuel and Funny Car classes to 1,000 feet will allow NHRA and the racing community time to evaluate, analyze and implement potential changes based on the safety initiatives outlined last week.

With the change, fans will still be able to enjoy the sights, sounds and thrill of NHRA nitro racing with speeds around 300 mph and quick elapsed times to 1,000 feet.

Over the years, NHRA has implemented many initiatives to enhance safety including measures to limit 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.

In the wake of the tragic series of events that took Kalitta's life, the following technical issues are currently under investigation: 1) what might be done to reduce engine failures; 2) parachute mounting techniques and materials as well as identifying a parachute material that could be more fire resistant; 3) exploring whether there is a way to increase brake efficiency when cars lose downforce due to the loss of the body; 4) analyzing additional methods that might be developed at the top end of the race track to help arrest runaway vehicles; 5) considering whether current speeds should be further limited or reduced to potentially improve safety.

"The board members of the Professional Racers Owners Organization (PRO) wholeheartedly and unanimously support this decision," said its president Kenny Bernstein. "We want to thank NHRA for listening to our input and suggestions to incorporate these changes. It is not lost on any of us that this constitutes a change in our history of running a quarter-mile, but it's the most immediate adjustment we can make in the interest of safety which is foremost on everyone's mind. This may be a temporary change and we recognize it is not the total answer. We will continue to work hand in hand with NHRA to evaluate other methods of making Top Fuel and Funny Car competition safer so that we might return to our quarter-mile racing standard. We also want to thank Connie Kalitta for his invaluable input. He has been a rock through these difficult times."

[ORIGLS6]

Good move.

[Kim_Howie]

Great move http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[69hurstSC]

i had guessed they might do this. it had to be done.

[COPO_Anders]

It doesn´t solv the problem with a runnaway car going beond the finishline under full throttle. But hopefully that won´t happen until they have come up with something.

[Kim_Howie]

You have 330 extra ft. to slow down that's a huge help. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[Dog427435]

Now if they would only shorten the NASCAR races to those exciting last 50 laps!

[x Baldwin Motion]

[ QUOTE ]
Now if they would only shorten the NASCAR races to those exciting last 50 laps!

[/ QUOTE ]

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif and 20 Laps for road courses!!
and one set of tires, and one tank of gas, and only fast cars qualify, and bring back "STOCK" cars, etc etc http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsdown.gif

[kwhizz]

As much as something needs to be done........Going to 1000' will ruin Drag Racing as we know it........Just my $.02

Ken

[Kim_Howie]

HOW?? When was the last time you were at the end of the track. 99% of the time you can,t till who wins by looking at the end. I am looking at the score board to see who won. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[Kim_Howie]

They could shorten NAsCAR to one lap. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif

[kwhizz]

[ QUOTE ]
HOW?? When was the last time you were at the end of the track. 99% of the time you can,t till who wins by looking at the end. I am looking at the score board to see who won. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Kim......I agree with you in that respect....But....It's just that all of the "Past" Records and History will have to Adjusted or Calibrated to the 1000' standard.......Example......kinda hard to equate a fuel Dragster running a 3.95 rather than a 4.50....That's all.........Us Old guy's will have a hard time adjusting to the "Documention" end of it........

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif

[m22mike]

[ QUOTE ]
They could shorten NAsCAR to one lap. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif

[Kim_Howie]

Ken It will be great to all the fall. I watched the 300mph broke in both funny car &amp; top fuel. Never to see that again. Change is good. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif