juicee, did you see this?
07-04-2008, 03:19 AM
#1
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juicee, did you see this?
http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dl...8/newsletter02
lets f*ck up the racing instead of making the tracks safer. it seems like many american motorsports take this approach and it's getting old. i sincerely hope this is just a temporary fix until they can do it right!
"NHRA cuts race distance to 1,000 feet: Move made to enhance safety after Kalitta's death
The NHRA has cut the race distance for its Top Fuel and Funny Car classes to 1,000 feet--320 feet short of a quarter-mile--as a safety measure in the wake of the death of racer Scott Kalitta nearly two weeks ago.
The shorter race distance takes effect with the Mopar Mile Hile Nationals in Denver, Colorado, on July 11-13.
Shortening the race distance will give the Funny Car and Top Fuel dragsters more runoff room after the finish line.
Kalitta died on June 21 in Englishtown, New Jersey, when his Funny Car engine exploded during a qualifying run. Kalitta's car ran off the end of the track, through a sand pit and crashed into a wall. The car's parachutes did not deploy. Kalitta, 46, was taken to a nearby hospital and declared dead.
After Kalitta's crash, several drivers complained that the runoff area at the Englishtown track was not long enough.
The NHRA said the change was made in collaboration with the race teams.
"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," the NHRA said in a statement.
The NHRA said it is looking at the following issues as it investigates Kalitta's crash:
-- How to reduce engine failures.
-- Parachute mounting techniques and materials.
-- Increasing braking efficiency when downforce is lost due to a car body being lost.
-- New ways to stop runaway vehicles at the end of the track.
-- Considering the need to reduce speeds for more safety.
Drag racing legend Kenny Bernstein, president of the Professional Racers Owners Organization, said the group supports the change.
"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," Bernstein said in a statement. "This may be a temporary change and we recognize it is not the total answer."
The NHRA has cut the race distance for its Top Fuel and Funny Car classes to 1,000 feet--320 feet short of a quarter-mile--as a safety measure in the wake of the death of racer Scott Kalitta nearly two weeks ago.
The shorter race distance takes effect with the Mopar Mile Hile Nationals in Denver, Colorado, on July 11-13.
Shortening the race distance will give the Funny Car and Top Fuel dragsters more runoff room after the finish line.
Kalitta died on June 21 in Englishtown, New Jersey, when his Funny Car engine exploded during a qualifying run. Kalitta's car ran off the end of the track, through a sand pit and crashed into a wall. The car's parachutes did not deploy. Kalitta, 46, was taken to a nearby hospital and declared dead.
After Kalitta's crash, several drivers complained that the runoff area at the Englishtown track was not long enough.
The NHRA said the change was made in collaboration with the race teams.
"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," the NHRA said in a statement.
The NHRA said it is looking at the following issues as it investigates Kalitta's crash:
-- How to reduce engine failures.
-- Parachute mounting techniques and materials.
-- Increasing braking efficiency when downforce is lost due to a car body being lost.
-- New ways to stop runaway vehicles at the end of the track.
-- Considering the need to reduce speeds for more safety.
Drag racing legend Kenny Bernstein, president of the Professional Racers Owners Organization, said the group supports the change.
"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," Bernstein said in a statement. "This may be a temporary change and we recognize it is not the total answer."
but it is true either way
07-04-2008, 10:29 AM
#5
MBWorld Fanatic!
Wow looks like I have a 10.60's car now???
I think this change would only apply to the top fuel cars?
That would suck if this is implemented in all classes.
Those dragsters are amazingly safe considering. That wall has hurt alot of drivers and likely the solution was as simple as putting that crumple design in that last barrier.
Thanks for the info, I heard but thought it was class specific.
I think this change would only apply to the top fuel cars?
That would suck if this is implemented in all classes.
Those dragsters are amazingly safe considering. That wall has hurt alot of drivers and likely the solution was as simple as putting that crumple design in that last barrier.
Thanks for the info, I heard but thought it was class specific.
07-04-2008, 10:51 AM
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'05 C55(sold)'05 E55(sold)'06 911C4S(sold)'06 ML350 '06 CLS55(sold),buncha slo bikes
This is ridiculous.I cant even tell you how many times Ive ran my bike@Englishtown.It's one of the safest tracks out there;this was just a freak accident
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07-04-2008, 12:52 PM
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+1 x Infinty!!!
As if an extra 320 fricking feet would have saved Scott K.
I honestly thought it was a joke when I first read the info from Chiro
As if an extra 320 fricking feet would have saved Scott K.
I honestly thought it was a joke when I first read the info from Chiro
07-04-2008, 02:04 PM
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That would involve them spending money to correct the problem and no one likes to spend money on safety equipment. Its too bad but its true.
07-04-2008, 06:25 PM
#10
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My good friend who runs top fuel had some interesting points on the Kalitta accident. He said it was still under power after the initial explosion. Occasionally after kicking a couple of rods out, the motor can still run and that is what he thinks happened. Either Kalitta was unconscious after the initial explosion and couldn't shut the fuel off or something was damaged to keep him from shutting it down. It makes sense to me after watching the video.
07-04-2008, 06:50 PM
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07-05-2008, 03:06 AM
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It may not be the answer but they could come up with a restrictor plate for the top fuel & funny cars if you really think about and for those of you that can remember when Kenny B. hit 270mph and how big of a deal that was back then. Now they are going some 50mph faster....where would it stop 350mph? I would think at some point it begins to be unsafe....
just my .03
if you really think about and for those of you that can remember when Kenny B. hit 270mph and how big of a deal that was back then. Now they are going some 50mph faster....where would it stop 350mph? I would think at some point it begins to be unsafe....just my .03
07-05-2008, 09:17 AM
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2014 E63, Cobra replica, 68 Camaro, 66 Chevy II SS, Z4 BMW, Honda Element, Birel 125cc Shifter Kart.
The NHRA has been trying to slow down Top Fuel and Funny Car for decades. Every time they come up with some new rule to slow them down...crew chiefs figure out a way to go even faster. They already have restrictions on engine size, amount of nitro they can use, gear ratios, wing size, tires etc. If they didn't, they would already be going well over 350. It hasn't been UNLIMITED since the 60's.
The move to 1/8 mile tracks is very popular due to insurance and space restrictions and I wouldn't be surprised to see some classes at national events eventually move to the 1/8 mile format.
What's really scary are the 6 second, 230 mph back halfed Mustangs and Camaro's weighing in at over 3,000 lbs on 10 1/2" tires. Now that's a disaster just waiting to happen.
The move to 1/8 mile tracks is very popular due to insurance and space restrictions and I wouldn't be surprised to see some classes at national events eventually move to the 1/8 mile format.
What's really scary are the 6 second, 230 mph back halfed Mustangs and Camaro's weighing in at over 3,000 lbs on 10 1/2" tires. Now that's a disaster just waiting to happen.
