Scott Kalitta Killed In ETown Crash

[Eric Trytko]

According to ESPN and eye witness accounts Scott's car had a motor explosion about the 1000' mark. Scott was apparently knocked out from the explosion and the car went, under part throttle into the sand pit where it went end over end.

The crash at the end of the track send debris into the air and apparently killed a camera man on a boom situated over the sand pit area.

He's survived by his father, wife Kathy and sons Corey, 14, and Colin, 8.

[Myles]

We all love and miss Scott Kalitta


Myles

[powerjames]

Originally Posted by Eric Trytko

According to ESPN and eye witness accounts Scott's car had a motor explosion about the 1000' mark. Scott was apparently knocked out from the explosion and the car went, under part throttle into the sand pit where it went end over end. The crash at the end of the track send debris into the air and apparently killed a camera man on a boom situated over the sand pit area. He's survived by his father, wife Kathy and sons Corey, 14, and Colin, 8.

That is very sad about Kalitta - he's a class act. I did not hear that a ESPN camera man also passed away. That is really sad as well. What a dual tragedy.

[The Vader]

Yeah I agree with James I never heard that a Camera man was killed too!!
That really sucks now X2.
Thats a little freaky that the motor exploded and knocked out Scott unconscious with his foot part in the throttle!!
Maybe if that sand trap was a bit longer maybe Scott would of not hit the wall so fast and he might still be alive today.
I heard that ESPN was commenting that the NHRA should retro fit all of the old school tracks and update them to today's 300 mph Drag Race cars. You got to remember that when these tracks were built they were accommodating cars that were going in the 200 mph range not 300 to 350 MPH. Therefore maybe the sand traps would have to be extended further to help stop some of the race cars when the driver looses the ability to gain control of his or her car and let the sand trap help you out so you don't hit any concrete stopper at the end of the track and disintegrate your car and the driver.

God speed Scott and to that Camera guy as well.

[powerjames]

I'm not sure that Etown wasn't updated to the latest safety standards. He just hit the end of the track going way too fast to survive.

[powermelissa]

So sad . . . but I believe it was just a rumor that a camera man died. I was told that was not true.

God speed Scott

[powerjames]

NHRA releases initial findings from tragedy at Englishtown; announces initiatives moving forward
6/27/2008

While still conducting its investigation into the details of last week's tragic accident that took the life of driver Scott Kalitta, NHRA announced today some of its initial findings and subsequent steps being taken to continue its efforts to make the sport safer.

The loss of Scott Kalitta, a passionate champion driver and devoted family man, still weighs heavy on the hearts of everyone at NHRA, as we reflect on his many accomplishments and pass along our deepest condolences to his wife Kathy, his sons Corey and Colin, his father Connie, his cousin Doug, the entire Kalitta family and team, and all those he left behind.

It has been determined that a tragic series of events took place that fateful afternoon. An engine explosion near the end of the run resulted in separating most of the car's body from the chassis. The car's parachutes did not blossom, and the vehicle continued down the right side of the shut down area at a high rate of speed. It went off the top end of the track, up into the right catch net pole, and hit the television camera boom beyond the end of the sand trap before coming to a rest.

This sequence of events resulted in the passing of the two-time world champion and veteran second-generation driver.

The New Jersey State Police investigation team was on site the same day, working with NHRA officials as both conducted their investigation. Once it becomes available, NHRA will analyze the State Police report for any additional information on the incident. NHRA also continued its own investigation by bringing mechanical engineer and accident reconstruction expert David McCandless, M.S. M.E., P.E., to the site. McCandless is an independent engineer with more than 15 years of experience in reconstructing vehicular accidents. McCandless worked with NHRA officials, members of the Kalitta race team, and officers from the New Jersey State Police accident investigation team on site. McCandless examined and analyzed the vehicle, the track and other data, and his investigation is still underway. The Delphi technical team and Ford recovered and are analyzing the “Blue Box” data recorder data and NHRA is using this data and analysis in its investigation.

After its preliminary investigation, NHRA identified several areas 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 race cars traveling a quarter mile at more than 300 mph.