A Big WTF

[slngsht]

 

http://www.nhra.com/content/news/30355.htm

 

NHRA shortens race distance for Top Fuel and Funny Car classes to 1,000 feet as an interim safety measure - 7/2/2008

 

 

As the investigation continues into the tragic accident that took the life of driver Scott Kalitta, NHRA has announced that beginning at the Mopar Mile High Nationals in Denver, Colo., both the Top Fuel and Funny Car classes will race to 1,000 feet instead of the traditional 1,320 feet or one-quarter mile. This is an interim step that is being taken while NHRA continues to analyze and determine whether changes should be made to build upon the sport's long standing safety record, given the inherent risks and ever-present dangers associated with the sport.

 

This interim change was made by NHRA in collaboration with professional race teams. NHRA believes that racing the Top Fuel and Funny Car classes to 1,000 feet will allow NHRA and the racing community time to evaluate, analyze and implement potential changes based on the safety initiatives outlined last week.

 

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.

 

Over the years, NHRA has implemented many initiatives to enhance safety including measures to limit speeds from increasing, personal protective gear, vehicle improvements, and track enhancements such as sand traps, catch nets and concrete barriers the entire length of the drag strip.

 

In the wake of the tragic series of events that took Kalitta's life, the following technical issues are currently under investigation: 1) what might be done to reduce engine failures; 2) parachute mounting techniques and materials as well as identifying a parachute material that could be more fire resistant; 3) exploring whether there is a way to increase brake efficiency when cars lose downforce due to the loss of the body; 4) analyzing additional methods that might be developed at the top end of the race track to help arrest runaway vehicles; 5) considering whether current speeds should be further limited or reduced to potentially improve safety.

 

“The board members of the Professional Racers Owners Organization (PRO) wholeheartedly and unanimously support this decision,” said its president Kenny Bernstein. “We want to thank NHRA for listening to our input and suggestions to incorporate these changes. 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. This may be a temporary change and we recognize it is not the total answer. We will continue to work hand in hand with NHRA to evaluate other methods of making Top Fuel and Funny Car competition safer so that we might return to our quarter-mile racing standard. We also want to thank Connie Kalitta for his invaluable input. He has been a rock through these difficult times.”

[SkinnyG]

Is it just me, or wasn't the dough-head idea of putting a concrete wall at the end of the drag strip poorly though-out in the first place?

 

I'd ditch the concrete, and place a sand trap or something. Look at runaway lanes for rigs in the mountains. No concrete there.

 

Skinny "if you're just average, 50% of the entire world's population is dumber than you" G

[slngsht]

Yup, I'm just shocked NHRA would even consider going away from 1320'. Until they come back to it, there are really no records... All the victories will have a * next to them.

[MHKflyer52]

Is it just me, or wasn't the dough-head idea of putting a concrete wall at the end of the drag strip poorly though-out in the first place?

 

I'd ditch the concrete, and place a sand trap or something. Look at runaway lanes for rigs in the mountains. No concrete there.

 

Skinny "if you're just average, 50% of the entire world's population is dumber than you" G

 

Have to agree some one was not using their gray matter except as an ear spacer when they put the concrete wals at the end of the strips.

[slngsht]

Skinny "if you're just average, 50% of the entire world's population is dumber than you" G

 

Um, I think that's median

[SkinnyG]

Um, I think that's median

 

Naw, it still works: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/average

 

However, if Kalitta had hit the Median, he would probably be alive today. Though possibly a bit burnt.

[JBH]

There was a gravel trap at the end of the straightaway, but the car was moving so fast, it skated right over it. I doubt shortening the track would have saved Scott Kalitta - he hit the concrete wall doing more than 200 mph. A collision with anything solid at 200+mph is not going to have a good outcome.

 

 

[MoPho]

 

Perhaps it's not the length of the track that is the problem, but the fact that they are driving 7000+hp cars that can hit 300mph in a few seconds... ya think?

 

It's amazing more people don't die considering the volatility of these cars.

 

 

I can't see how the extra 320 feet is going to make much of a difference for an out of control car at those speeds

[chetcpo]

I saw them interviewing some of the crew cheifs from the top teams and they were in favor of shortening it to 1000ft. They said that most all of the engine failures, explosions, and catastrophic crashes happen in the short zone from 1000ft on out to 1/4 mile.

 

One guy pointed out that most all of the tracks now run were designed and built back when the insane speeds of the modern cars were impossible. Until they can rebuild the tracks adjusted for the modern cars, they all seemed happy to run 1000ft.

 

Seems like a bit of a knee jerk overreaction to me, but I admittedly am no expert.

[slngsht]

I saw them interviewing some of the crew cheifs from the top teams and they were in favor of shortening it to 1000ft. They said that most all of the engine failures, explosions, and catastrophic crashes happen in the short zone from 1000ft on out to 1/4 mile.

 

One guy pointed out that most all of the tracks now run were designed and built back when the insane speeds of the modern cars were impossible. Until they can rebuild the tracks adjusted for the modern cars, they all seemed happy to run 1000ft.

 

Seems like a bit of a knee jerk overreaction to me, but I admittedly am no expert.

 

Wouldn't it make more sense to do something like restrictor plate or lower boost limit?

 

running the 7/37 mile just isn't the same as running the 1/4

[gjslutz]

Why not a few catch nets like used for jets? Then add auto foam deployment into the area. I think reducing to 1000ft and reducing power is like restricting the space program to a max of 50,000ft. All of racing and things that push the edge has moved us to 2008, not 1508. We don't want to fall off the edge of the earth! To me this is like reducing A 7's power to 100 or 200 HP max. Mazda would need to run with 2 spark plugs. 25 MPH max highway speeds would reduce deaths. As in all, advancements have required new solutions to solve the new problems. I’m not ready to go back to being a hunter gather. I’m excited to see what developments the future will bring us.

 

I don't know the track and area, but likely too little area for a proper recovery area for a 300 MPH problem.

[slngsht]

Gary, the core of the problem is that most of the big name NHRA tracks are land locked, meaning they can not acquire additional land for longer runoffs.

 

I do agree with your point. I think the solution they came up with is the worst.

[gjslutz]

Mazda, I agree with the land lock. We fight the same thing with airports. Most are started in open areas, then others build up around them. Like tracks, people then complain of the traffic, noise & danger. Land values restrict purchasing extra land for future expantion. Progress? Many tracks here in the midwest have been reduced to 1/8 mile tracks. Several were the same as in the day I ran when 1/4 mile tracks. I did one 1/8 mile run and found it to be a bore. Small airports and tracks don't generate enough $$ to make a move.