NHRA says, "It's official, the quarter mile is no longer 1,320 ft!"

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Posted by solbrothers (Member # 7524) on :

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

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.”

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Posted by 2stangs69-91 (Member # 1951) on :

It might help a little but I do not think it would have mattered in the Scott Kallita accident. He coverd the last 320 on fire and never slowed down anyhow. The entire shutdown area needs to be redone on these tracks. The wall on the end was rediculas.

Posted by hidnn.o.s. (Member # 1219) on :

quote:
Originally posted by 2stangs69-91:
rediculas.

Posted by 2stangs69-91 (Member # 1951) on :

lol ok stupid..
ridiculous is that better teacher [Wink]

Posted by TRIXSNK (Member # 2844) on :

quote:
Originally posted by 2stangs69-91:
It might help a little but I do not think it would have mattered in the Scott Kallita accident. He coverd the last 320 on fire and never slowed down anyhow. The entire shutdown area needs to be redone on these tracks. The wall on the end was rediculas.

I most certainly agree!

Posted by 50DADDY (Member # 3076) on :

[Eek!]

Posted by v-town50 (Member # 4920) on :

thats a bunch o bs the extra 320 feet wouldnt have made a dam bit of difference esp since the shoot didnt open

Posted by 88DroptopGT (Member # 2535) on :

quote:
Originally posted by v-town50:
thats a bunch o bs the extra 320 feet wouldnt have made a dam bit of difference esp since the shoot didnt open

Yeah I think it's just a political move to squash people who are still mad at that crash.

They need to make a temporary barrier like tons of bowling-style water cans at the end. It's hard to stop a 250+ MPH freight train without killing the driver from the impact alone though...

Posted by warhorse58gt (Member # 7702) on :

this is a joke. so taking away 320' means he would of hit the wall at 300mph and not 321mph.
this is a lame shot at doing something. first might want to take out the wall at the end of the track. 2 might want to make the run off area longer. just my 02. [patriot]

Posted by TRIXSNK (Member # 2844) on :

Anyone know if this will be in effect at Infineon this month?

I'm about to buy tickets for a group of friends but was just wondering as i'm all for protecting the drivers but also want to see 1/4 ET's and MPH not the shortened version.

On that note who's going to watch them?

Posted by v-town50 (Member # 4920) on :

and really it doesnt make sense because take sears point for instance the shutdown area is huge and uphill but others are much shorter. i think the change is really gunna hurt the nhra because alot of people arent gunna buy tickets to watch a 1000 ft race

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