Scott Kalitta killed...
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From: Las Vegas
Scott Kalitta killed...
Didn't see it posted yet...
http://www.nhra.com/content/news/30033.htm
RIP
http://www.nhra.com/content/news/30033.htm
Kalitta succumbs to injuries suffered in qualifying incident
6/21/2008
Scott Kalitta
Funny Car driver Scott Kalitta, 46, died Saturday from multiple injuries suffered after his car went out of control and crashed in a high-speed racing accident at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park during the fourth and final round of qualifying at the Lucas Oil NHRA SuperNationals.
Kalitta was extracted from his car by NHRA emergency services officials and transported to Old Bridge Township Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Kalitta, a two-time NHRA POWERade Series Top Fuel champion and one of only 14 drivers in NHRA history to earn victories in both premier nitro categories, earned 18 victories during his career, his last coming in Chicago in 2005 in Top Fuel.
Kalitta earned most of his racing success in Top Fuel, where he claimed back-to-back world championship titles in 1994 and 1995. He retired from racing in 1997, sitting out most of two seasons before returning for a 10-race campaign in 1999. He sat out three more seasons following that brief stint and then returned again in 2003, joining cousin Doug as a second driver for the family's two Top Fuel dragsters.
Kalitta started his pro career in Top Fuel in 1982, running limited events for four seasons before moving to Funny Car in 1986 for his first full-season of competition. He returned to that category fulltime in 2006. He posted a runner-up finish two weeks ago in Chicago, his 36th career NHRA final round appearance.
Kalitta is survived by his father, legendary NHRA racer and team owner Connie Kalitta; wife, Kathy; and sons Corey, 14, and Colin, 8.
6/21/2008
Scott Kalitta
Funny Car driver Scott Kalitta, 46, died Saturday from multiple injuries suffered after his car went out of control and crashed in a high-speed racing accident at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park during the fourth and final round of qualifying at the Lucas Oil NHRA SuperNationals.
Kalitta was extracted from his car by NHRA emergency services officials and transported to Old Bridge Township Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Kalitta, a two-time NHRA POWERade Series Top Fuel champion and one of only 14 drivers in NHRA history to earn victories in both premier nitro categories, earned 18 victories during his career, his last coming in Chicago in 2005 in Top Fuel.
Kalitta earned most of his racing success in Top Fuel, where he claimed back-to-back world championship titles in 1994 and 1995. He retired from racing in 1997, sitting out most of two seasons before returning for a 10-race campaign in 1999. He sat out three more seasons following that brief stint and then returned again in 2003, joining cousin Doug as a second driver for the family's two Top Fuel dragsters.
Kalitta started his pro career in Top Fuel in 1982, running limited events for four seasons before moving to Funny Car in 1986 for his first full-season of competition. He returned to that category fulltime in 2006. He posted a runner-up finish two weeks ago in Chicago, his 36th career NHRA final round appearance.
Kalitta is survived by his father, legendary NHRA racer and team owner Connie Kalitta; wife, Kathy; and sons Corey, 14, and Colin, 8.
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From: SoCal
Originally Posted by TreeFiddyZee
I had been watching this race. I went out to get dinner and when I came home it had already happened. Sad. Like one of his fellow racers said, "He died doing what he loved".
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uhhhh. what? Are you like 12? Stop being so selfish? I dont think he planned to die first off. Second usually people die from old age or unexpected accidents. Maybe you were being sarcastic and im way off.... Really confused by your comment. And you love "effin dieing" ? Peoeple dont rely on professionals, they look up to them, unless you work for him and all you care about is your next paycheck.
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Joined: Oct 2006
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From: SoCal
Originally Posted by Accordaleer
uhhhh. what? Are you like 12? Stop being so selfish? I dont think he planned to die first off. Second usually people die from old age or unexpected accidents. Maybe you were being sarcastic and im way off.... Really confused by your comment. And you love "effin dieing" ? Peoeple dont rely on professionals, they look up to them, unless you work for him and all you care about is your next paycheck.
Yeah, I love sky diving but really need to get two kids through college. So when I die because I hit the ground at 120 mph when the chute didn't open, some folk are going to say "he died doing what he loved" and some folk are gonna say he died because "people shouldn't jump out of airplanes when they have kids they need to get through college!".
Sry...my point was smaller than yours.
I'm sorry for the loss.
Originally Posted by surfcity40
I wasn't talking to you. I was talking to the folk who say "he died doing what he loved"...as if that makes the risky life somehow okay.
Yeah, I love sky diving but really need to get two kids through college. So when I die because I hit the ground at 120 mph when the chute didn't open, some folk are going to say "he died doing what he loved" and some folk are gonna say he died because "people shouldn't jump out of airplanes when they have kids they need to get through college!".
Sry...my point was smaller than yours.
I'm sorry for the loss.
Yeah, I love sky diving but really need to get two kids through college. So when I die because I hit the ground at 120 mph when the chute didn't open, some folk are going to say "he died doing what he loved" and some folk are gonna say he died because "people shouldn't jump out of airplanes when they have kids they need to get through college!".
Sry...my point was smaller than yours.
I'm sorry for the loss.
The probability of getting killed driving to and from work is probably 100 times greater than drag racing, yet no one says “He died doing what he loved best” i.e. driving to and from work. So maybe “He died doing what he loved best” shouldn't be taken literally. It just gives others some comfort after someone has died. It might be more appropriate for, say, a police officer.
I know you say your comment was sarcastic, but understand that his job was racing a car down the 1/4 mile and thats what he earned a living doing. This was not a hobby for him, in comparison to you jumping out of a plane for the adrenaline rush. How many people go to work everyday and can truly say they love going to work and died doing what they love. Not many unless your hobby is also your job, i.e. sports
Actually coah.... it was a hoby for him. I knew him. He was the owner of the airline I used to fly for. He had more money than god. This was just who he was. It was in him to do this. He had plenty of money.
As mentioned in a couple of the stories about him, Kalitta retired TWICE from drag racing. Apparently the love of the sport and the lure of competiton brought him back again and again, not money or the need of a job.
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just to add to the "died doing what he loved" thing...
as a drag racer myself for 13 years, since i was 8 y/o, i can honestly say that i would rather have something happen in the car than somewhere else and not get to drive again. i guess if you died youd never know the difference, but lets say if i had to lose my legs... i would rather lose them in a racing accident "doing what i love", than somewhere else, and have to live with never getting in the race car again. does that make sense?
as a drag racer myself for 13 years, since i was 8 y/o, i can honestly say that i would rather have something happen in the car than somewhere else and not get to drive again. i guess if you died youd never know the difference, but lets say if i had to lose my legs... i would rather lose them in a racing accident "doing what i love", than somewhere else, and have to live with never getting in the race car again. does that make sense?
