A year ago, tragedy struck the NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) world when drag racing star Scott Kalitta was killed in a fiery accident at the Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, New Jersey.
This weekend will see tributes and a minute of silence held in remembrance of Kalitta. In the year since his death, and in an effort to prevent similar accidents occurring in the future, various safety upgrades have been introduced.
It’s sad when anyone dies and my thoughts go out to anyone who knew Kalitta. However, this is a sport which, by its very nature, is very, very dangerous, and Kalitta knew the risks as well as anyone. He died doing something he loved but he knew the dangers of the sport.
Is drag racing even a sport? It’s just two cars racing down a straight strip of road. Very Fast. On Top Gear that’s fine, but as a spectator sport? I’m not so sure.
