RIP Scott Kalitta

[bctbct]

You would think they have sand or water barriers at the end.

 

[Deleted member 4644]

I think they said he died instantly, maybe even in the first explosion.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: bctbct
You would think they have sand or water barriers at the end.

Because when you're traveling out of control at 300MPH, you want to hit a brick wall?

 

[TheWart]

I am not an engineer, but could they have something like they have on those long downhill roads for semi-trucks? I am referring to those inclined "emergency side roads" that you see that are sandy to slow down a vehicle whose brakes are out.

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: Deleted member 4644
I think they said he died instantly, maybe even in the first explosion.

An AP photographer got quite a high speed shot shortly after that first explosion, it looks more likely when it hit that wall at 300 mph and exploded but I'm sure he knew it was all over.

He did die doing what he liked to do.

Condolences to his family.

RIP

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: TheWart
I am not an engineer, but could they have something like they have on those long downhill roads for semi-trucks? I am referring to those inclined "emergency side roads" that you see that are sandy to slow down a vehicle whose brakes are out.

Some tracks do have sand pits. This is one of the older tracks designed way before these cars were hitting 300+ MPH.

 

[Toastedlightly]

I was suprised at the lack of a sand pit. That final barrier was waaaaaaaayyyyy earlier than I am used to seeing.

 

[SKORPI0]

Originally posted by: Deleted member 4644
I think they said he died instantly, maybe even in the first explosion.

Link

The NHRA said the 46-year-old Kalitta ? the 1994 and 1995 Top Fuel season champion who had 18 career victories, 17 in Top Fuel and one in Funny Car ? was taken to the Old Bridge division of Raritan Bay Medical Center, where he died a short time later.

 

[dakels]

RIP and condolences to friends and family. I first saw and met Scott in the mid 90's. Great guy, great racer. He will be missed.

 

[imported_Imp]

Saw the clip, that sucks.

Looks like he was already gone (knocked out at least) when the engine blew. No braking or at least nothing was working.

 

[imported_Baloo]

The chute was deployed, but suffered damage from the initial blast. It did slow him quite a bit, but the car was still moving pretty fast, probably still a bit more than 100mph when it hit the barrier. That is still way too fast, but nothing like the damage that would have occured if he were going 300mph at the end there.