NHRA drags at Infineon
July 27, 2008 by admin0
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The engine of a Top-Fuel dragster can generate 7,000 horsepower and propel the vehicle through the quarter mile in less than 4.5 seconds while reaching a top speed of more than 330 miles an hour.
It probably took you longer than that to read the previous sentence. Words can't convey the experience of witnessing this phenomenon at close hand and tens of thousands of drag
racing fans will descend on Infineon Raceway this weekend to...
Read the full article by David Bollingin in the Sonoma Index-Tribune
NHRA debuts shorter track in Top Fuel, Funny Car
July 13, 2008 by admin0
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MORRISON, Colo. — John Force was searching for a sign telling him he'd reached the finish line at 1,000 feet.
The Funny Car driver is so accustomed to running a quarter-mile that he's not used to throwing out the parachutes and slamming on the brakes some 320 feet early.
Still, Force fully supports the...
Read the full article in the Houston Chronicle
Schumacher wins Top Fuel at Mile-High Nationals
July 13, 2008 by admin0
Filed under Drag Racing, Dragster, Funny Car
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MORRISON - The trimming of the track did nothing to neutralize the nitro cars.
Racing on a 1,000-foot strip for the first time in NHRA history, Top Fuel dragster Tony Schumacher and Funny Car driver Tim Wilkerson won their respective classes Sunday during the Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals at Bandimere Speedway.
Schumacher didn't need the extra 320 feet of track to...
Read the full article in the Rocky Mountain News
NHRA shortens track for Top Fuel and Funny Car
The NHRA is going short-track racing this weekend at Bandimere Speedway outside Denver. For the first time in series history, races in its two premier classes -- Top Fuel and Funny Car -- will be contested at less than a quarter-mile.
In response to the crash three weeks ago that killed Funny Car driver Scott Kalitta, the fourth major incident...
Read the full article in The Indianapolis Star
NHRA releases initial findings from Kalitta crash
June 28, 2008 by admin0
Filed under Drag Racing, Funny Car
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Speed, brakes and track length are among the areas an NHRA task force will investigate after initial findings determined several factors contributed to Funny Car driver Scott Kalitta's fatal crash on June 21.
Kalitta, 46, died after his Toyota Solara burst into flames near the end of a qualifying run at Englishtown, N.J., and continued down the track before hitting a television camera boom and exploding. The former two-time Top Fuel champion was the first...
Read Gary Graves full article at USA Today
Added by Robert (Admin0):
At last Sunday's Englishtown event, Jim Head made it very clear that they would need to slow the cars down, as physics of such a crash would probably not be survivable under any circumstance. He and other drivers have been critical of the lack of standards for track shut down areas and runoff sand traps. When the "Blue Box" data is analyzed by Ford and Delphi, much more will be known about the accident and what direction NHRA will need to go with the car and track safety. Scott Kalitta will be remembered and this unfortunate loss of life will make the sport safer for fans and drivers alike.
Manatee mourns top fuel racer Kalitta
Saint Stephen's community saddened by death of drag racer Kalitta following fiery crash in N.J.
By RICHARD DYMOND
rdymond@bradenton.com
PALMETTO --Top Fuel racer Scott Kalitta was building a huge dream house piece by piece on Redfish Court in Snead Island, just around the corner from the family's more modest home in the gated community of Amberwynd. The dream house would have a body shop, a multivehicle garage, an office, a place for a special boat and, of course, plenty of fun area for Kalitta's sons, Corey, 14, and Colin, 8, and his wife, Kathy...
Read Richard Dymond's full article at the Bradenton Herald
Kalitta memorial to be held Thursday
A public memorial service for two-time NHRA Top Fuel champion Scott Kalitta will be held Thursday night in Norwalk, Ohio, where Kalitta Motorsports will participate in this weekend's Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals.
Kalitta, 46, died Saturday after his Funny Car caught fire and crashed during qualifying at Englishtown, N.J. State police, working with crash reconstruction experts hired by the NHRA, expect their investigation to take 4-6 weeks.
The team also announced that drivers Doug Kalitta, Dave Grubnic and Hillary Will will race at Summit Motorsports Park...
Read Gary Graves' full article at USA Today
UPDATED Memorial Service Info – IHRA Extends Condolences to the Kalitta Family
June 25, 2008 by admin0
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The entire Live Nation – Motorsports family wishes to extend its most sincere condolences to the entire Kalitta Family. Scott Kalitta, 46, was pronounced dead at Old Bridge Township Hospital following a crash during Saturday qualifying at the NHRA SuperNationals in Englishtown, New Jersey.
“This is a sad day for the drag racing community,” IHRA president Aaron Polburn said. “Scott was a wonderful driver and a wonderful family man. This is devastating news. Drag racing lost one of its best today.”...
Read the rest of the condolence message and get the details for the memorial service at IHRA
Somber champs Schumacher, Wilk, Anderson, Ellis crowned in E-Town
June 22, 2008 by admin0
Filed under Drag Racing, Dragster, Funny Car
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The mood was understandably somber and the winner’s circle celebration subdued as champions were crowned at the 39th annual Lucas Oil SuperNationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, a day after the qualifying accident that claimed the life of popular Funny Car driver Scott Kalitta. Following a day of tears and tributes, Tony Schumacher, Tim Wilkerson, Greg Anderson, and Chip Ellis emerged as the professional champions in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle respectively.
The most poignant tribute of the day came during the opening round of...
Read Kevin McKenna's full article at NHRA.com for full results and commentary about Scott Kalitta.
Visit NHRA's tribute page to Scott Kalitta.
IHRA's condolence statement about the loss of Scott Kalitta.
Scott Kalitta killed in tragic crash at Englishtown race
June 21, 2008 by admin0
Filed under Drag Racing, Funny Car
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Funny Car driver Scott Kalitta, age 46, passed away this afternoon as a result of a tragic crash at the Lucas Oil NHRA SuperNationals in Englishtown, NJ. The crash occurred during the fourth round of qualifying at the track where Scott started his drag racing career. Near the end of the run, he had a huge, fiery engine explosion, blowing the body off of the car. The car then went off the end of the track, hit the safety net, then burst into a large fireball.
Scott Kalitta was transported to Old Bridge Township Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
The remaining racing was canceled for the rest of the day. ESPN2 continued their scheduled final round qualifying coverage with NHRA drivers eulogizing Scott Kalitta.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Kalitta family, friends and everyone at Kalitta Racing during this tragic experience.