GLENDORA, Calif. — In the wake of the tragic accident that claimed the life of NHRA Funny Car driver Scott Kalitta, the sanctioning body has made some drastic — but temporary — changes that will be instituted beginning at the Mopar Mile High Nationals at Bandimere Speedway July 11-13.
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. According to an NHRA statement, “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.”
The move was made in concert with the competitors, while NHRA continues to investigate and analyze information gathered from the Kalitta accident, while evaluating other possible changes and safety initiatives.
“The board members of the Professional Racers Owners Organization 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.”
And at least one race track operator was quick to support the move.
“I applaud NHRA in taking this bold step,” said Las Vegas Motor Speedway President and General Manager Chris Powell. “The racing to the thousand-foot mark will be every bit as exciting as it is to the quarter-mile. As an additional benefit, this should limit the amount of downtime during the events because most oil-downs seem to happen in the final 320 feet. And reaction time should become even more important for the drivers because they’ll have less time to make up the difference on the track.  NHRA has my full support in taking this interim step.”
In the wake of the tragic series of events that took Kalitta’s life, the NHRA is investigating the following technical issues: 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.