NHRA SHORTENS DISTANCE TO 1,000 FEET FOR TF & FC

(From NHRA PR Department) As the investigation continues into the tragic accident that took the life of driver Scott Kalitta, NHRA announced today that beginning at the Mopar Mile High Nationals in Denver, Colorado, 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 approaching 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.

 “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.”  -end of NHRA PR -

In our latest poll, the majority of DRO readers voted for the 1,000-foot length, so we are happy to see NHRA listen to them and (we hear) the teams and shorten the racing distance by 320 feet. The Agent is glad to see NHRA trying to address this safety issue promptly, but has to wonder where is NHRA president Tom Compton and why isn’t he front and center in making these announcements that could change NHRA drag racing forever?

Read editor Jeff Burk’s newest Burk’s Blast to see his take on the change.  (DRO file photo) [7/3/2008]

ADRL READY TO RACE AT THE DROP OF AN ARM

When the Flowmaster American Drag Racing League (ADRL) presented by the National Guard visits Motor Mile Dragway in Radford, Va., July 4-5, for the 2nd annual ADRL Shelor Motor Mile Independence Drags, fans and racers alike will be in for a history-making experience: an old-fashioned arm-drop start.

The conclusion of the first day of this year’s Independence Drags will feature a unique event as all four finals from the ADRL’s rain-shortened previous event in Martin, Mich., will be run with ADRL president Kenny Nowling personally starting each pair of competitors. The unusual format came about as a result of severe electrical storms in Michigan taking out the track’s starting-line tree and scoreboard displays, but leaving the staging and timing equipment intact. The event was partially completed using the arm-drop start and so will be concluded the same way.

“It’s the only way to remain fair and consistent,” Nowling said. “Besides, I think everyone left in contention is looking forward to the bragging rights of winning such a unique title.”

Editor Jeff Burk will have same-day coverage of the Virginia race on Friday and Saturday in DRO.  (ADRL Communications photo) [7/3/2008]