Scott Kalitta killed in drag racing accident

[hotrod]

For those that may not have heard, Scott Kalitta was killed yesterday in a drag racing accident. Suffered a major engine failure and fire and went off the end of the strip into the catch barrier at speed.

http://www.nhra.com/content/news/30033.htm
Larry

[rodent]

Is it just me or is there no sand trap to slow the car down at the end of that track?

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1096777642386211381&q=Scott+Kalitta&ei=vJJeSOijEZT44gLg8rGrDQ

RIP Scott. :(

[Hal]

There was a trap and a net.

[hotrod]

I pulled up the track on Google maps:

As you can see by the google map image below the shutdown trap is very short (about 100 ft of sand from the looks of it), looks like a single catch fence and then the barriers at an angle.

http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&hl=en&ll=40.328483,-74.352347&spn=0.001979,0.003278&t=h&z=18

For reference here at Bandimere's I believe we have about 250 ft of sand trap with what appears to be double catch nets then a dirt berm based on what I can see on google maps. I have however never walked down there and really looked at the set up since the last accident they had where the catch net pulled a blower off a car and into the driver.

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=39.670018,-105.18854&spn=0.001493,0.002535&t=h&z=19

Since the Mile High Nationals are only weeks away here, if NHRA wants to make any major changes in the catch traps or fences Denver would be one of the places they would likely do it, if their investigation sees any urgent issue to deal with. Bandimeres run out is also up hill which helps some to bleed off some speed if the car is power off. If the throttle is stuck then all bets are off for those cars until the engine comes apart.

Larry

[ba109296]

I saw it on the news. However long that trap is its not long enough by far. But they did say he was going around 300 mph so that much sand won't stop you fast enough..