NHRA shortens top fuel and funny car races to 1,000' for safety...

malibu795

malibu795

misspeelleerr
Apr 28, 2007
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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.
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IMO sand pits and shut down areas need to be longer sand pits need to be shofter. form the vid of scot kaitta the sand pit was hard packed. almost liek a dirt road. and a concrete barrier right after it????

i can understand the ideal of cutting the distance to 1000'.. IMO that is a bandiad to the problem. on tracks that were designe with 200-225mph cars not 330mph cars
 
MMLMM

MMLMM

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Mar 2, 2008
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Sometimes shit happens, yea the runoff area I agree needs to be re-worked at alot of tracks, especially as these cars are getting faster.

I dont think an extra 320' would have made one bit of a diff. in Scotts crash....and if a similar crash were to happen, don't think its gonna do anything for it as well.
 
LBZ

LBZ

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Jul 2, 2007
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They need to put 300 feet of water filled plastic drums in the sand area. That will help slow a guy down for sure!!
 
LB7Diesel

LB7Diesel

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We all agree Scotts crash was a tragedy, But, as racers they know the risks they take everytime they strap themselves into those hot rods. Shortening the track would not have helped at all in Scotts crash as stated, the answer lies in longer run out areas and the method they use to slow them down. Ever watch a road course race like Sonoma? They use rock and sand in there run off's along with tires or barrells along the walls and it works pretty well. Although there not running 300+ either, but there can and should be alot more done at the NHRA events concerning run out areas. Shortning the track is going to cause boring racing and poor attendence. That is unless you like a 8,000hp tire spin contest at half track.
 
MoJoe

MoJoe

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I hope they can come up with an effective way to fix the issues at a lot of tracks. There are so many tracks now that the power of the vehicles is well beyond the limits of the track. I say put some safety nets up at the end instead of concrete like a lot of tracks do. They have the technology now to fix it, just will they pay the money to do it.
 
R

ROGUE GTS

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I think you'll be amazed at how fast they are still traveling at the 1k' mark.

They run 280mph in the 1/8th... So they will STILL be at 300 running to the 1000' mark. More shutdown area, but if he's knocked out, you cover that 320' like nothing.

IMO, they need some type of CO2 parachute deployment system that can be REMOTELY ACTIVATED by a crewmember should anything go wrong. Or triggered by a lazer as the cars cross the finishline. If you notice, the chutes are already out when the cars cross, so this would be a bit of a delay from normal but still much safer IMO.
 
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malibu795

malibu795

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McRat said:
The nets they use on aircraft carriers will stop a 30,000lb aircraft going 150.

Perhaps that is the solution.
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actually is more along the line of 75,000+ pounds they were designe to stop a F-14 whihc weigh in at 100,000+ pound when fully loaded


that would be a good idea.
 
D

Diesel power

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water barrels.........would be like hitting several walls in a row.

a "jet net" would impose tremendous negative G's to the driver and car, and im sure at 300mph it would snap your neck!! almost like hitting a wall.
 
malibu795

malibu795

misspeelleerr
Apr 28, 2007
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carier nets are roughly 50' tall.

and its softer then an aresting cable they use. as for negative G's it would be less then what they experience on the launch.
 
SBISHOP370

SBISHOP370

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Taking off is a lot different G force then stopping. A more faster stop can and has riped the eyes out of the racers heads. just ask BIG DADDY DON that is one reason why he had to stop racing.

it's simple track that have the room to make a longer shut down area need to do so and not use K-rail at the end of them. also use something other then a net. what would happen if the car was on fire? problem go right thorough the net! I'm not trying to start anything by saying the net is wrong, it just may not be the right thing.
 
MoJoe

MoJoe

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I've got it... Multiple wind machines (aka GIANT fans) blowing back at the racer as soon as the car hits the 1320 mark while also driving up a 35% grade right after as well. It will slow them down and dry the sweat off their forehead at the same time. :D
 
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