Cars > Blogs > Official Motortopia Blog > NHRA shortens races to 1,000 feet
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NHRA shortens races to 1,000 feet
Jul 3, 2008 | Views: 170
I know we have a lot of drag racers and drag racing fans here on Motortopia, so this news should be of interest to you.
In the wake of Scott Kalitta's fatal crash, the NHRA has put some temporary safety measures in place, including shortening the length of races from a 1/4 mile (1,320 feet) to 1,000 feet in the Funny Car and Top Fuel classes.
The NHRA says this will still keep the races exciting, as the cars will still reach 300 mph, but it will also increase safety while they investigate Kalitta's crash. They also say this is a temporary change that will go into place July 11 at the Mopar Mile High Nationals in Denver.
The NHRA is also considering:
* How to reduce engine failures
* Altering parachute mounting techniques and materials as well as identifying a parachute material that could be more fire resistant
* Exploring whether there is a way to increase brake efficiency when cars lose downforce due to the loss of the body
* Analyzing additional methods that might be developed at the top end of the race track to help arrest runaway vehicles
* Considering whether current speeds should be further limited or reduced to potentially improve safety
What do you think about these changes? Let us know in the comments!
Source: Jalopnik and Autoblog
In the wake of Scott Kalitta's fatal crash, the NHRA has put some temporary safety measures in place, including shortening the length of races from a 1/4 mile (1,320 feet) to 1,000 feet in the Funny Car and Top Fuel classes.
The NHRA says this will still keep the races exciting, as the cars will still reach 300 mph, but it will also increase safety while they investigate Kalitta's crash. They also say this is a temporary change that will go into place July 11 at the Mopar Mile High Nationals in Denver.
The NHRA is also considering:
* How to reduce engine failures
* Altering parachute mounting techniques and materials as well as identifying a parachute material that could be more fire resistant
* Exploring whether there is a way to increase brake efficiency when cars lose downforce due to the loss of the body
* Analyzing additional methods that might be developed at the top end of the race track to help arrest runaway vehicles
* Considering whether current speeds should be further limited or reduced to potentially improve safety
What do you think about these changes? Let us know in the comments!
Source: Jalopnik and Autoblog
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Read comments on this blog post 1 – 3 of 3
- Jul 5, 2008 at 8:24 pm
- An evaluation of all the strips in the circuit is past due. Temporarily shortening the length might be okay while they do an inspection and survey of each drag strip but then they need to go back to 1320.
I hate the thought that some strips might then be non-NHRA or IHRA tracks because they don't meet the mark, because too many local drag strips have been sold off for housing subdivisions or shopping malls as it is. But the safety of the drivers and spectators has to be the primary concern.
- Jul 4, 2008 at 2:36 pm
- add a run away truck ramp at the end at a steep angle upward with a catch fence at the end.
- Jul 3, 2008 at 11:26 am
- I think there is no reason to believe that shortening the length of races from a 1/4 mile (1,320 feet) to 1,000 feet in the Funny Car and Top Fuel classes will help. They do not know what caused the accident to start with and the event is the 1/4 mile.
I also believe that lowering current speeds will make these events less then a race. I believe the NHRA knows this and is putting out more then it intends on doing. All the other safety measures look like no brainers to me.
Jerry
Cars > Blogs > Official Motortopia Blog > NHRA shortens races to 1,000 feet
