Scott Kalitta dies in NHRA crash

<p>With more than a few pro's that compete there feeling the shut down could be longer, maybe their wrong.<br>I'm not calling out the operators of the track,I'm sure they do all required &amp; more as pointed out.<br>The sand trap &amp; net were largely if not completely ineffective in this instance.<br>Hitting a retaining wall head on at the back of the trap I believe caused the most damage.That should be addressed.<br>My hope is the NHRA will reevaluate safety standards at all tracks, longer shut downs, bigger traps,the nets which don't seem to be able to stop the nitrocars at speeds near 250+ in this case, retaining wall should be removed from the back of the trap,maybe some sort of jet retaining system used on aircraftcarriers could be looked at.<br>I consider myself more than a casual observer, my family has been active in drag racing since the 50's.<br>Still all in all a terrible tragedy &amp; that's what it takes at times to take a harder look at safety.<br>My opinion...dave</p>

I just heard Scott Kalitta died in a crash...<br><br>What a shame...

<a target="_blank" href="http://www.mercurynews.com/othersports/ci_9659503">http://www.mercurynews.com/othersports/ci_9659503</a><br><br><br>

<p>How sad. When I met the Snake earlier this year he remarked how happy he was that he was<br>retired from drag racing. One of the heaviest extreme sports for sure.</p><p>Dave.<br><br></p>

Sure does put in persepctive the guy who makes 10 million complaining that he won't show up at training camp because he is underpaid.<br><br>Sad news.

a sad day in dragracing

<p>Yes indeed a truely sad day for drag racing. I worked in a race car shop for 23 yrs. and built a lot of these guys cars and got to meet them at the sametime. He had retired a few years ago and come back to the sport he loved.<br><br>Greg</p>

<p><img src="http://static.yuku.com//domainskins/bypass/img/smileys/tired.gif" alt="image"></p>

A tough day for the motorsports world.<img src="http://static.yuku.com//domainskins/bypass/img/smileys/frown.gif" alt="image">.... dave

It always sucks to read/hear about someone getting killed doing something they love and entertains so many people.

As safe as the cars are today, it is easy to forget just how dangerous it is. Condolences to his wife and two children.

<img src="http://static.yuku.com//domainskins/bypass/img/smileys/frown.gif" alt="image"><img src="http://static.yuku.com//domainskins/bypass/img/smileys/frown.gif" alt="image">

<strong>Here's the crash video from You Tube, from an ESPN report this afternoon.......<br><br></strong><a target="_blank" href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=DziJdGwFQjU"><strong>http://youtube.com/watch?v=DziJdGwFQjU</strong></a><br><br><strong>Dude didn't have a chance.......<br><br>R.I.P. Scott, you'll be missed..........<img src="http://static.yuku.com//domainskins/bypass/img/smileys/tired.gif" alt="image"></strong>

OMG...the flames burned the chutes and you are right RLJ...he never had a chance.<br><br><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y78/toyguy247/emoticons123/cryingtears.gif" alt="image"><p><br></p>

truely sad and terrible day for drag racing!

<div class="scrolling"> <div> <blockquote> <div> It always sucks to read/hear about someone getting killed doing something they love and entertains so many people. </div> </blockquote>I disagree If you have to go out, who wouldn't want to go out doing what they love. Maybe it was a few years too early but, he still went out doing what he loved. <br><img src="http://static.yuku.com//domainskins/bypass/img/smileys/tired.gif" alt="image"><br><br> Pete </div> </div> <div> <blockquote> <div> It always sucks to read/hear about someone getting killed doing something they love and entertains so many people. </div> </blockquote>I disagree If you have to go out, who wouldn't want to go out doing what they love. Maybe it was a few years too early but, he still went out doing what he loved. <br><img src="http://static.yuku.com//domainskins/bypass/img/smileys/tired.gif" alt="image"><br><br> Pete </div> <blockquote> <div> It always sucks to read/hear about someone getting killed doing something they love and entertains so many people. </div> </blockquote>I disagree If you have to go out, who wouldn't want to go out doing what they love. Maybe it was a few years too early but, he still went out doing what he loved. <br><img src="http://static.yuku.com//domainskins/bypass/img/smileys/tired.gif" alt="image"><br><br> Pete It always sucks to read/hear about someone getting killed doing something they love and entertains so many people.

Damn right Pete. Burning is a horrible way to go out and yes its a sad loss. But he died doing what he loved. To me going out with a bang is far better thandying on the toilet having never done anything you hoped to in life. At least he died with some dignity doing something most of us can only dream about. Weshould all be so fortunate.<br>

anybody watch the racing yesterday? Robert Hight was the car in the other lane who was supposed to race him, lights came down and he idled down the track, whata truly classfull gesture, exactly what I would have done...<img height="20" src="http://www.ezboard.com/image/posticons/pi_thumbsup.gif" width="20" alt="image"><p><br></p>

<p>it's a sad day for the drag racing world, i can't believe there was not more track run off. from the video it looks like he ran into a retainingwall at 300mph,</p>

THAT'S CAUSE HE DID, THE FLAMES HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH KILLING HIM, IT WAS UNFORTUNATELY THE SUDDEN STOP.

Many of the drivers have complained about the short shut down. I too agree that with the mounds of cash the NHRA takes in the safety of their drivers should bepriority ONE!!!!!! We lose to many drivers in preventable wrecks. Time to wake up NHRA, FIX IT! Some unfortunate accidents will always show their ugly heads inthis sport, but let's keep the drivers alive....dave

<div class="scrolling"> <div> <blockquote> <div> It always sucks to read/hear about someone getting killed doing something they love and entertains so many people. </div> </blockquote>I disagree If you have to go out, who wouldn't want to go out doing what they love. Maybe it was a few years too early but, he still went out doing what he loved. <br><img alt="image" src="http://static.yuku.com//domainskins/bypass/img/smileys/tired.gif"><br><br> Pete </div> </div> <div> <blockquote> <div> It always sucks to read/hear about someone getting killed doing something they love and entertains so many people. </div> </blockquote>I disagree If you have to go out, who wouldn't want to go out doing what they love. Maybe it was a few years too early but, he still went out doing what he loved. <br><img alt="image" src="http://static.yuku.com//domainskins/bypass/img/smileys/tired.gif"><br><br> Pete </div> <blockquote> <div> It always sucks to read/hear about someone getting killed doing something they love and entertains so many people. </div> </blockquote>I disagree If you have to go out, who wouldn't want to go out doing what they love. Maybe it was a few years too early but, he still went out doing what he loved. <br><img alt="image" src="http://static.yuku.com//domainskins/bypass/img/smileys/tired.gif"><br><br> Pete It always sucks to read/hear about someone getting killed doing something they love and entertains so many people.

What's the big deal??? He races, he knows the risks???????<br><br>Later, Dave

Glad to see ya Dave!<br><br>Bit of a headache huh?

Not at ALL "talksalot"!!!<br><br>Later, Dave

LOL Dave, so you walk across the street and get hit by a car...you know the risk, why should people come to your aid....just let you lay there and die youknow it could happen!!

There's a difference.... yes, any of us could get killed at any time. But when you're strapping yourself to a rocket, it's a much bigger risk thanjust walking across the street.<br><br>Sorry, but count me as one who can't bring himself to jump on the "sad" bandwagon because somebody who well understood the incredible risksinvolved in what he was doing, and chose to do so anyway, died. A child being beaten and abused by his mother, and then killed, is sad and tragic. A funny cardriver being killed is just what happens sometimes when you take that kind of risk, and no sadder than the deaths of any of the other thousands of people whodied that day.<br><br>Again, I know this is not going to be a popular opinion... and please know that this is not some kind of judgement against drag racing or the drivers whochoose to participate in it. I also love drag racing. But when someone plays russian roulette, and you're supporting them doing so, you can't actsurprised and be sad when, sometimes, there's a bullet in the chamber with their name on it...<br><br>Greg

Hey Kids...did you see them?...Frick and Frack are here...see em?<br><br>Yes Daddy we see them...which one is Frick and which one is Frack?<br><br>Dunno but I know they are Frick and Frack!<br><br><img height="110" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y78/toyguy247/emoticons123/drunkard.gif" width="110" alt="image"><br><br>

<strong>I think we all know the risks when it comes to drag racing, and yes, when you do strap into an 8000 HP machine, the risk becomes even greater........<br><br>As a fan of NHRA Drag Racing for over 40 years now, i can say that they are the leaders when it comes to safety in racing, always thinking ahead when it comesto that safety, always setting the standards for it........<br><br>I've raced on NHRA sanctioned tracks, way back in the day, (Brackets in the late 1970's) they were very strict when it came to the Tech Inspections forany class of car.........<br><br>I'm sure it's even tuffer today........<br><br>If you do not pass, you do not race, it's that simple.........<br><br>When you compare accidents that cause death, as opposed to those that the drivers walk away from, with the ungodly HP being made these days, i believe that theNHRA tops them all, leading the way over all forms of Motorsports.......<br><br>I don't think that this thread was meant to feel sorry for Scott Kalitta, just meant to show respect for a once great drag racer, who never had a chance inthat wreck, and lost his life doing what he loved to do........<br><br>He retired twice, and came back twice, that's dedication........<img src="http://static.yuku.com//domainskins/bypass/img/smileys/happy.gif" alt="image"><br><br>The NHRA rocks, baby, and has since 1950.......<img src="http://static.yuku.com//domainskins/bypass/img/smileys/eek.gif" alt="image"></strong>

Very well put Johnny, Bravo sir.

Just for those of you, whom don't know, Englishtown Raceway Park. There is another half mile of shutdown track, after the finish line. Longer than mostNHRA tracks. Plus Sand at the end of that. Than a huge net, with a NHRA sanction pole in the middle, too hold up the net. It's all NHRA approved and evenmore done. Most drivers will tell you the Napp family, whom have owned and operated E-Town, for over 40 years. Go far and above Safety recommations. So knowthe track, didn't kill him. It was a accident. Tragic,yes. Also Englishtown Raceway Park, is one of the most, if not the safest, tracks, in the World.Thanks.

Very well put, Johnny. The same goes for many sanctioned forms of racing. Look at rules laid down by NASCAR, such as the wearing of the HANS Device, as well asthe new, improved, more "springy" retaining walls for Indy car racing.<br><br>It is sad that this happened. I don't agree that it's any less sad because Kalitta knew the risks. All precautions were taken, yet it still happened.<br><br>Thanks for the additional info, Bernard. It demonstrates that even with those failsafes, only so much can be done to stop a bullet, so to speak. Kalitta'scar didn't drag against the wall or hit anything else along the way, helping it to slow down. Freak accident.