NHRA has lost another one

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

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 two-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.
He was a good one and will be missed by many including me.
RIP and Godspeed Scott.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: NHRA has lost another one

Just read that online Spinner,Thats a shame.
He will be missed.....

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: NHRA has lost another one

Just read the article too. I didn't know much about the son but the father was into airplanes, as well as cars. He had an air charter service, which did everything from air freight to air ambulance operations. I guess they just like "loud" because, in addition to drag racers, they seemed to like old Learjets, which were among the loudest jet aircraft ever made.

Interesting family and always breaking new ground in some way. My condolences to the family and all who may know the family.

 

[aspeck]

Re: NHRA has lost another one

My sympathies to the Kalitta family. Great racing family ... very sad.

 

[JB]

Re: NHRA has lost another one

I suppose that if he had a choice of when and how to go he got his choice.

 

[GetRdone]

Re: NHRA has lost another one

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 two-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.
He was a good one and will be missed by many including me.
RIP and Godspeed Scott.

It looked like the end of the strip was a concrete wall instead of a sand trap?

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: NHRA has lost another one

I think there is sand and the concrete and then woods. That is where he ended up at in a ball of fire from what I am hearing.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: NHRA has lost another one

He was going over 300 MPH through the sand and head on into the concrete wall and the car exploded.
Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZUC2vHmvSQ&feature=related

Watch at the very end and you can see the car hit the concrete and it just exploded.
They need to do something with that shutdown area for sure. Not near enough room from sand to concrete.

 

[SnappingTurtle]

Re: NHRA has lost another one

Too sad, for words.

Wishing you “God Speed” Kalitta.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: NHRA has lost another one

I have it recorded, just haven't got to it yet. Caught it on CNN this morning...sad, Scott a good guy.
Looks like that motor took a REAL hit, and then the chutes didn't blossom (which should when ya blow the body off), and saw zero braking effort, so I bet he was knocked unconscious.
Died loving what he does the best..drag racing. Life has risk, and nobody getting out alive anyway, so have a little fun.
And Kalitta Air is one big outfit. Connie and Doug both rated 747's
On the shutdown area, well, none are designed for 300mph...(but there sure was something solid out there)...anyway..he will be missed

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: NHRA has lost another one

Very sad to see that unfold. God Bless him and all his loved ones.

 

[kenimpzoom]

Re: NHRA has lost another one

Darn... that stinks.. RIP.

Putting a brick wall at the end of the track may not have been the best idea. Perhaps a net or water cushioned barrier.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: NHRA has lost another one

Yea kenimpzoom, it would have been better maybe.
He was headed for the trees if that was not there.
Don't know if hitting a tree head on at that speed would have been any better or not.
And really, he may have already been dead by then from engine pieces and stuff hitting him when it exploded.
BTW, that was the last race at that track for NHRA, word has it that it has been sold to a developer to build condos on.