New standard for drag racing?

[Cobrar]

Autoweek link to the change in NHRA rules shortening distance from 1,320 ft to 1,000 ft (Top Fuel & Funny Cars) in response to Kalitta's recent death. I wonder what he'd think?

http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080702/FREE/686860405/1508/newsletter02

I suppose that there will be a need to **asterisk** the record books for past races history?

 

[somelee]

what happened to Scott was a tragedy. My thoughts have gone out to his family and friends. He will be missed.
I'm am wondering if the extra 320 feet would have been enough to save him. He was moving fast! I guess if it saves one person in the future then its worth it. It is kind of sad to see it change.....an admittedly selfish feeling coming from someone who used to watch it all the time when I was growing up.
The cars sure have changed quite a bit since I was a kid...they've become safer but also ALOT more powerful....so I guess maybe it was inevitable that something like this would happen.

 

[Empty Pockets]

It would still all come down to what's in the way down at the bitter end of the track.

The only thing I can see that'd prevent another incident like Scott's would be to require a much l-o-n-g-e-r shut down area with mucho longer sand traps and mucho more catch nets.

I realize that'd mean shutting down some tracks for top fuel, top alki & F/C racing 'cause they just don't have the additional property available to DO all that, but, unless some other way can be found to stop these cars "at the other end"..............?

 

[BlackICE]

+1

 

[boostedGT]

taking away 320 feet is not going to solve the problem...within the first 660 feet top fuel and funny car are at 280+ gravity and aerodynamics for the last 660 only allows the cars to pull to what they do....definately a longer shut down area would help but the NHRA needs to look at some other options - limiting the fuel delivery, the 2nd magneto, and limiting the boost built by the blowers, maybe even pulling timing from the cars .....figure this in 320 feet it takes those cars to get to 1320 feet in just under 1 second - will 1 second really make that much of a difference ....hymm figure it takes the brain .500 of a second to react to a situtation for the average person in good health....

granted im all for saftey in this sport to make it more enjoyable and market-able to the fans.... NHRA is competiting for TV time against NASCAR which is one of the toughest sports to compete with as far as TV exposure goes and ranks right up there with the superbowl in some states - which is why the NHRA events are aired after the NASCAR races......so what are going to see now ....3.xx second passes at 290+ give or take 10-15 mph, be intresting to see how the IHRA responds with their Pro-Mod and TF and FC classes

:cheers