Scott Kalitta
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,012
Likes: 5
From: Granbury, TX
Did you see the shots of the run out area during the eliminations? There looks to be about 50 feet of sand and then a concrete barrier taking a sweeping left turn. Imagine hitting that at 200 -300 mph. 
Last edited by Clint's C3; Jun 23, 2008 at 11:07 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
It appears the chutes were out, they just burned up as they were deployed. The question here did the crew chief cut it too close? That was either a blower explosion {lean out} or a rod throuigh the oil pan or side of the block which I doubt. I`m sure Connie will find out.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 1
From: Lafayette Louisiana
It didn't look like much braking was going on. We don't know if that was because of mechanical failure or because of a blower fragment through the chest. I think the sport does a reasonable job at providing a safe environment for participants and spectators.
We have lost track after track over the years and I'm not sure that making a 2 mile run out area for a 1/4 mile run is going to help expand the sport. We know that a front engine configuration is not the safest and these "Funny Cars" are far removed from their beginnings. We all know the risk we take. .
We have lost track after track over the years and I'm not sure that making a 2 mile run out area for a 1/4 mile run is going to help expand the sport. We know that a front engine configuration is not the safest and these "Funny Cars" are far removed from their beginnings. We all know the risk we take. .
You wont have to worry about expanding the sport if drivers continue to die because the speeds keep going up and the tracks stay the same.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,155
Likes: 0
From: San Diego California
Following Eric Medlin's death. the Force team engineered some important safety improvements for the funny cars, and this was shared with other teams. The Safety Safaree does a pretty damn good job too in getting to the cars quickly. Maybe its time for NHRA and the track owners to significantly improve the tracks, especially the walls and runoff. But I'm not persuaded that simplistic changes like a different fuel formulation or reduced speeds, will necessarily make things safer or be good for the sport. There will always be inherent dangers that can't be legislated or engineered out, without destroying and neutering "drag racing". Still, I'm very saddened by another racing death.....
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,629
Likes: 4
From: Somers CT
It appears the chutes were out, they just burned up as they were deployed. The question here did the crew chief cut it too close? That was either a blower explosion {lean out} or a rod throuigh the oil pan or side of the block which I doubt. I`m sure Connie will find out.
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