Scott Kalitta killed in crash

[sammyg2]

NHRA's Scott Kalitta killed in crash

Associated Press - June 21, 2008 6:53 PM ET

ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. (AP) - Scott Kalitta died Saturday when his Funny Car crashed and burst into flames during qualifying for the Lucas Oil NHRA SuperNationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park.

State police confirmed that the 46-year-old Kalitta, a 2-time Top Fuel champion who had 18 career victories, was killed in the accident.

Witnesses told The Star-Ledger of Newark that Kalitta's Toyota Solara was traveling at an estimated speed of 300 mph when the crash occurred.

The Palmetto, Fla., resident started his career at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in 1982. His father, Connie Kalitta, was a longtime driver and team owner known as "The Bounty Hunter," and his cousin, Doug Kalitta, also drives competitively.

[Joe Ricard]

Haven't see the video yet but am watching ESPN reflection.

Terrible news.

[TerryH]

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

Total bummer. RIP.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Any relation to Kalitta as in the guy who owns Kalitta Air (including the 747 that broke in half on takeoff a few weeks ago?)

It says his father is Connie Kalitta - is it the same one? If so, very bad days for that family.

[Joeaksa]

Same person Jeff. Connie owns the aviation company.

RIP

Joe

[ZOA NOM]

Why is there a f*cking wall at the end of the track???????

Totally unnecessary death. RIP, Scott.

[450knotOffice]

I echo that. I see a lawsuit against the track coming out of this one.

[dewolf]

Same sort thing happened in Sydney. Car runs through the quarter and couldn't stop. Hit a concrete wall at the end and the guy was killed. Family filed suit against the race strip owners and won.

[TerryH]

Typically there is a large sand filled run-off area. Traveling at 300 mph, I'm not sure they can build a catch all for every instance. The car was engulfed just as the chutes popped and they burned off. He was probably knocked out and the brakes were never applied.

It's a dangerous sport. I'm sure the track was NHRA approved. So the sanctioning body would likely be the only one liable. Good luck there.

I used to drag race a little and there was always the waiver signing saying tough fuch if I get injured or croak.

These old tracks like Englishtown might have been built when 230 or 250 mph was tops. Could be they need to redesign them or even close some down that can't made safer. Hard to say what happened exactly. I'm sure it will be investigated and perhaps, like when Dale Earnhardt crashed and died, new safety measures will be introduced.

[ZOA NOM]

I understand the logic behind improving safety after learning new information as the result of a tragedy, but when I see sheer stupidity and ignorance of common sense, it just boils me. Forget whether he blew the motor and may have been out when he hit the wall, what about the possibility of a simple stuck throttle? Jesus, at least put a tire barrier with some sort of ability to absorb the load. Absolutely ridiculous.

[Jims5543]

Originally Posted by ZOANAS

Why is there a f*cking wall at the end of the track???????

Totally unnecessary death. RIP, Scott.

My thoughts exactly. I do not care how old the track is, it should have runoff to accommodate a situations as this.

[TerryH]

I google earth'd the dragstrip and the sand area looks small with a curved wall behind. Almost looks like the wall was made to deflect cars from the trees and road beyond the sand.

[URY914]

You guys do realize that tracks are inspected and approved for the speeds that the cars run on them. Insurance inspectors also have to approve tracks for use.

[cgarr]

Originally Posted by URY914

You guys do realize that tracks are inspected and approved for the speeds that the cars run on them. Insurance inspectors also have to approve tracks for use.

yea and when My Insurance guy looked at my 911 he said "oh this is one with the engine in the back" no kidding! They can make anything look safe on paper..

[Jims5543]

Originally Posted by URY914

You guys do realize that tracks are inspected and approved for the speeds that the cars run on them. Insurance inspectors also have to approve tracks for use.

It looks like it took the death of a driver for them to rethink what is acceptable.

NHRA will not allow Top Fuel cars to run at Moroso because at the end of the runoff there is a canal. Someone should have told Moroso the build a big ass wall to stop the car from going in the canal and it would have been o.k.

[VINMAN]

I was at the race. I'm sick over this. What a cool guy he was, very personable. RIP.

Ive run on this track myself many times. The track has a pea gravel run off area at the end with a nylon catch net. The spot he hit is a very short section of wall on the right side of the net. But I know the length of the run-off has always been an issue for a long time.

[TerryH]

Originally Posted by URY914

You guys do realize that tracks are inspected and approved for the speeds that the cars run on them. Insurance inspectors also have to approve tracks for use.

Does that mean the tracks can't be made safer?

[450knotOffice]

Originally Posted by URY914

You guys do realize that tracks are inspected and approved for the speeds that the cars run on them. Insurance inspectors also have to approve tracks for use.

Paul, most of us realize that. My guess is that lawyers won't care who approved of the track. In fact, my guess would be that they might drag these parties into the potential lawsuit as contributors to the tragedy.

Originally Posted by Jim Cesiro

It looks like it took the death of a driver for them to rethink what is acceptable.

NHRA will not allow Top Fuel cars to run at Moroso because at the end of the runoff there is a canal. Someone should have told Moroso the build a big ass wall to stop the car from going in the canal and it would have been o.k.

You illustrate my point well, Jim.

[LakeCleElum]

Tragic for all involved......Why the hurry to assign blame and liability???????? Stuff happens - Drag racing is a dangerous sport....When this happens, does someone have to be found "at fault" and make the plantiff independently wealthy?????

[chapo]

Terribly sad. no reason for it. More run off period. Plus, the safety in these cars is a joke. The chassis and cages aren't worth a darn. Force is finally trying some new designs after rheir tragedy, but come on. Where is the carbon fiber cockpit, breakaway chassis, etc that they could study from other forms of racing. Slow the cars down, make the bodies look like real funny cars , and get a better show. Nostalga drags with flopper bodies that actually looked a little bit like the cars they were modelled after are HUGE now, take a hint. Its the show, smoke, noise, slideways, etc not 4.56 @ 300mph