John D.
Nitro Member
Without a doubt, a somber mood prevailed over the entire facility and our prayers and condolences go out to the entire Kalitta family. Just a few photos from the event: Drag Racing Action Magazine
Nitromater
This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
E-Town Photos
- Thread starter John D.
- Start date
----NONE----
Nitro Member
Thank you for sharing that. Drag Racing Action magazine rocks!
John D.
Nitro Member
Thanks for the kind words. Our photos are only for use in the magazine for editorial purposes. For the Kalitta starting line shot, try Auto Imagery or Les Welch. I'm sure they got the same shots.
I also took photos on Friday and Saturday. They are posted here:
NHRA Englishtown 2008 - a set on Flickr
I have to warn people that they include photos of Scott's accident (the engine explosion anyway, not the crash at the end of the track). I did a lot of soul searching and seeked out a lot of advise about what to do with them. The responses I got ranged from "just delete them" to "sell them to AP" and everything in between. I knew that I wanted nothing to do with profiting from them, but I wanted to do right by Scott's family and the drag racing community.
Ultimately, I felt that there was a chance that the publication of the photos might, in some way, lead to safer race cars and safer tracks. And on that, I decided to release them. I hope the teams can learn from them. I think there's important information to be had about the burst panel, about the chutes, about how the body of the car broke.
I know there will be vast differences of opinion regarding my decision to release them, but there is no right answer. I did what I thought would be best for the future safety of the drivers and I hope I've done it in a way that is respectful to the memory of Scott Kalitta.
-Steve
NHRA Englishtown 2008 - a set on Flickr
I have to warn people that they include photos of Scott's accident (the engine explosion anyway, not the crash at the end of the track). I did a lot of soul searching and seeked out a lot of advise about what to do with them. The responses I got ranged from "just delete them" to "sell them to AP" and everything in between. I knew that I wanted nothing to do with profiting from them, but I wanted to do right by Scott's family and the drag racing community.
Ultimately, I felt that there was a chance that the publication of the photos might, in some way, lead to safer race cars and safer tracks. And on that, I decided to release them. I hope the teams can learn from them. I think there's important information to be had about the burst panel, about the chutes, about how the body of the car broke.
I know there will be vast differences of opinion regarding my decision to release them, but there is no right answer. I did what I thought would be best for the future safety of the drivers and I hope I've done it in a way that is respectful to the memory of Scott Kalitta.
-Steve
Just Paul
Nitro Member
No problems here Steve, at that point in the run, it's no different to me then seeing pictures from Tony Pedregons exlosion earlier this year. I totally understand your thoughts on not putting them up though. However, I do know there are some pictures out there that do not belong anywhere on the internet, and I hope they never surface here.
Great shots of all of the other action too.
Great shots of all of the other action too.
.
Nitro Member
The pic of Scott with his hand in the air as he's reaching for the chute handle is just spooky. 
I don't see the parachutes wrapped in the wheelie bar like I thought might have happened. I'm at a loss as to what happened to him and why he could't slow the car with the brakes even a little.
I don't see the parachutes wrapped in the wheelie bar like I thought might have happened. I'm at a loss as to what happened to him and why he could't slow the car with the brakes even a little.Having the photos, I spent a lot of time looking at them over the past couple of days. A lot of time looking in sadness, other times wondering what happened. There are a few things I was able to discern (I'm a mechanical engineer by trade, so I tend to look at things in a certain way)...
The burst panel didn't blow out. This photo shows that it's still fully intact while the rest of the body is buckling. I don't recall which team it was that is tying the burst panel to the chute lever. While that's a fantastic idea, I think they need to make sure the burst panel is designed such that it actually lets go in an explosion.
As far as the chutes go, I've seen a lot of speculation here and elsewhere that maybe they tangled in the wheelie bar. That doesn't look to be the case. I'm not sure what the technical term for it is, but the "little chute" (the red one) seems to have deployed, but the main chutes didn't open.
I hope the investigators are able to learn why the car didn't stop, so if this happens again to someone, we'll be able to say "Wow, they were really lucky" instead of mourning them.
-Steve
The burst panel didn't blow out. This photo shows that it's still fully intact while the rest of the body is buckling. I don't recall which team it was that is tying the burst panel to the chute lever. While that's a fantastic idea, I think they need to make sure the burst panel is designed such that it actually lets go in an explosion.
I agree, but I'm not sure he's reaching. The camera I used shoots at 6.5 frames per second. That's 0.3 seconds between running fine and the photo to which you refer. Maybe you're right, but I think it's just as likely that the explosion caused him to let go of the steering wheel for a moment. It's also true that approaching the finish line, he would have had his hand off the wheel to reach for the chutes anyway.
As far as the chutes go, I've seen a lot of speculation here and elsewhere that maybe they tangled in the wheelie bar. That doesn't look to be the case. I'm not sure what the technical term for it is, but the "little chute" (the red one) seems to have deployed, but the main chutes didn't open.
I hope the investigators are able to learn why the car didn't stop, so if this happens again to someone, we'll be able to say "Wow, they were really lucky" instead of mourning them.
-Steve
Last edited:
Nitrohaulic
Nitro Member
Nice shots, John. I remember reading your articles in drag racing magazines that aren't around anymore.
Am I remembering incorrectly or, were you the one who had the bracket dragster that was hinged just in front of the driver's footbox?
Am I remembering incorrectly or, were you the one who had the bracket dragster that was hinged just in front of the driver's footbox?
