Filed under: Motorsports
NHRA driver Scott Kalitta killed in NHRA qualifying
It is never pleasant to report auto-related tragedies. Thats why it's particularly saddening to report the death of NHRA driver Scott Kalitta, who suffered a horrific crash during Funny Car qualifying at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, NJ on Saturday. Witnesses pegged his speed to be in the range of 300 mph when his engine exploded, engulfing the car in flames. Kalitta was the '94 and '95 Top Fuel champion and his presence will certainly be missed in the NHRA. He is survived by his wife and two sons. We extend our deepest condolences to Mr. Kalitta's family and friends. Thanks to all who sent tips.
[Source: The Star-Ledger]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Cray 12:56AM (6/22/2008)
I saw it on Youtube, absolutely horrifying to watch. My heart goes out to the friends and family of the Kalitta's.
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Kat 12:37AM (6/25/2008)
Does anyone know if Connie or Scott's wife and kids were at the track?
Dolemite 12:58AM (6/22/2008)
This is just sad and painful. Sorry to hear about something like this.
May God give peace to all involved.
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HotRodzNKustoms 1:07AM (6/22/2008)
This is tragic...
I feel terrible for his family.
Racing being as safe as it now is we sometimes become overconfident and forget that those racing are still traveling at tremendously dangerous speeds that can kill.
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Craig 5:45AM (6/22/2008)
There was nothing safe about the run off area at that track. It was not long enough, the sand caused the car to flip, there was a very final concrete wall and the camera boom was in the way.
Drag raceways runoff areas need to be asphalt (or concrete) with a series of energy absorbing nets or cushioned barriers. The cars are fine while they are in the confines of the concrete barriers, a controlled environment of sorts.
The idea of sand traps around race tracks has been proven to cause more injury than a wide expanse of tarmac.
In every form of motorsport, it takes a loss of life to snap people back into reality and redouble the quest to make the sport(s) as safe as possible.
xspeedy 10:17AM (6/22/2008)
Asphalt and grass runoff areas won't cut it - grass would be like putting an oil and water slicked surface at the end of the track. I've seen the pea gravel traps work quite well for circuit racing, but for this sport it needs to be longer than 10 feet. Perhaps a mix of the gravel and netting is required. Anything besides a concrete barrier.
Ian 1:31PM (6/22/2008)
it actually is already a net. He hit the concrete pillar that holds the net to the ground. 99 out of 100 drivers that hit the sand trap (its not really sand, it is just a sand colored gravel) hit it at less than 150mph. Theres a 1/4 mile track, and a 1/4 mile shutdown area after that. Maybe it should be longer, but sometimes its tough to re-engineer a track thats been there for 50 years, and the cars now are 1000x more powerful than they were then and there just isn't room.
Matt 2:06AM (6/22/2008)
I am a fan of this sport and have worked on pro and sportsman cars, every time this happens it is so hard to get back out there. I know people who work for Kalitta Racing and I can't imagine what they have to deal with. I just hope NHRA, PRO and SFI can solve this problem before another driver dies. RIP Scott
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SMILN66 7:35AM (6/24/2008)
CONCERNING THE DEATH OF SCOTT KALITTA, I HAVE DRAG RACED-ALONG TIME AGO-AND HAVE BEEN AN AVID SPECTATOR FOR MANY YEARS. THE ACCELERATION AND TRAP SPEEDS OF THESE NITRO CARS HAS RISEN DRAMATICALLY. I BELIEVE THEY ARE AT OR VERY NEAR THE EDGE OF TECHNOLOGY, ESPECIALLY WITH HORSEPOWER, CLUTCHES, AND TIRES. TO PUT IT ANOTHER WAY, I BELIEVE THEY ARE FAST APPROACHING OR HAVE MET THE "LAW OF DIMINISHING RETURNS". (IT HAS TO TAKE SOME MEASURE OF TIME TO GO FROM A TO B). MY SINCERE SYMPATHY TO THE ENTIRE KALITTA FAMILY AND ORGANIZATION.
JD 2:37AM (6/22/2008)
A terrible shame- any time a racer dies on the track, it's a huge loss for the entire motorsports world. My thoughts and prayers are with Scott, his friends, and especially his family- what a horrible tragedy. Rest in peace, Scott.
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Noidor 2:40AM (6/22/2008)
I don't understand why they have concrete walls at the end of the strip - shouldn't there be longer areas with sand, which would then allow the car to slow down? Otherwise drivers are forced to rely on the chute to its job, but when it fails, then what?
A human life cut short is always tragic, especially when it's someone of such good character.
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HotRodzNKustoms 3:22AM (6/22/2008)
It would take several miles to allow a car traveling at that speed to slow down without a chute.
Randy 10:48AM (6/22/2008)
I read elsewhere that it was assumed he went unconscious after the engine blew, and that he hit that wall at nearly the same speed he crossed the finish line.................. 300mph.
It would take a lot of sand to stop, or even slow down a car moving at that speed.
Hopefully, this accident will do what many in the past have done.................. created an additional new safeguard to prevent things like this from happening again. It's an extremely dangerous sport with very few injuries or fatalities considering those kind of speeds.
I hope they come up with something to fix this scenario.......... I recall it happening many years ago with an engine that wouldn't shut down.
Yar 3:08AM (6/22/2008)
Saw the video, and I'm glad you have declined to show it on this site. It is absolutely horrifying. My condolences go out to the family, I can't imagine what they went through watching that.
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Yar 1:56AM (6/23/2008)
What the hell are you talking about?
snerd 9:12PM (6/22/2008)
Cite?
scott 3 8:39AM (6/22/2008)
Who is next?
The NHRA has had several wake up calls and not paid attention.
There were several crashes there the cars and parts nearly went into the stand or like when the Top Fuel Tire. Wheel and Hub went over the stands at Memphis into the camper lot.
We almost lost John Force last year and he should not be with us today. All they did was put a few extra bars in the car when top fuel and Funny Car both should have Carbon Fiber tubs to protect the drive.
Most tracks including some of the best have little to no no run off areas, catch fences. protective barriers with openings in them.
It is time for the drivers to ban together and go to the NHRA to demand track improvments. Also all of the big teams need to work with car builders to build a stronger more modern car to protect the drivers. The tube chassies they have today are so outdated it is crazy. The NHRA is running the car of yesterday. They have moretechnology in their fuel systems than they have has in 40 years of safety improvment
I know it will cost money and effect the racing to a point.
I know it well never be 100% safe as in any racing. But just how much is a life worth to try to protect it.
It is time for the NHRA to realize if they want to run speed over 330 MPH then start improving the tracks and equipment form their 150 MPH origins.
To have put a run off area with just a little sand and concreate berrier is just ludicrist!
As I see if Tub the cars with Indy car like tubs, Lengthen the tracks or slow the cars down if you don't want to improve the tracks. Also Fan safety needs to be address. How long till a car or a part of a car goes into the stands. Even the MLB has a fence behind home plate.
God take care of Scotts Family and God have mercy on the next driver we lose.
NHRA wake up you have made this mess now do something to try to fix it. NAscar pais the price with several drivers a few years ago now it is your turn.
I am Sorry for my rant but I have been mad for a long time on this and am tired of seeing driver lost that might have had at least a chance to go home at the end of the weekend.
NHRA at least give them a chance as Scotty never has a chance after half track.
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Craig 9:22AM (6/22/2008)
Well said Scott.
Noidor 11:24AM (6/22/2008)
That's exactly how I feel about complacency in motorsports, there is just zero room for it. And you are absolutely correct that a lot more can be done for the spectator safety, and the drivers.
I have never seen such an intense explosion from a blown engine. That has to be looked at as well.
On second thought, sand is not the way to go, more often cars just skip over it as they catch air underneath it. Same with grass. Just like Greg Moore's accident.
Outdated venues have no place on racing schedule.
gary 10:14AM (6/24/2008)
Dude your so misinformed. Nothing is outdated on the F/C. The track maybe but not the car itself.Like a guy said were at the end of technology for speed and E.T. Parts are the best money can buy,along with materials. Look at Earnhart and what looked as a simple wall ding took his life with nothing in his way! It JUST HAPPENED. Dont start giving the sport a black eye just as its growing to new levels for fans. Ive been racing Super Stock in a 10 second Camaro since Lions Dragstip was in opperation. 40 years has passed with very few casualities. Millions have recently been spent by Force and many others to make this sport the safest it can be.