Funeral For Scott Kalitta

Sassy Smith — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 16:17:00 GMT

Two-time former NHRA Top Fuel Champion Scott Kalitta was killed at age 46, when the funny-car he was driving exploded and crashed. The native Michigan man is survived by his wife Kathy and their two sons, Corey, 14, and Colin, 8. Funeral arrangements have been made, and a public memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday at Ernsthausen Performing Arts Center in Norwalk, Ohio. The Kalitta family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations to the following charities would be appreciated:

• Saint Stephen's Episcopal School, Attn: Development Office, 315 41st St. West, Bradenton, FL 34209.

• B.R.A.K.E.S. (Be Responsible And Keep Everyone Safe) c/o Doug Herbert Performance Parts, 1443 E. Gaston St., Lincolnton, NC 28092.

Cards for the family can be sent to: Kalitta Air, 818 Willow Run Airport, Ypsilanti, MI 48198. E-mail condolences can be sent to: champion@kalittaracing.com

Heartfelt messages, condolences and memories for Scott from fellow racers:

Top Fuel champion Larry "Spiderman" McBride said,

“You can tell just by looking at crew members that everybody is down today. “Something like this definitely makes you think.

“We used to keep the Johnson’s Team Winston car at my race shop. It’s a great drag racing family.”

From Bernard Douglas, who competed in the Street ET division during the AMA Summer Nationals,

“There’s always a chance of something happening,” said Douglas, a multi-time race winner. “A tire can blow, there can be a mechanical problem, anything can happen.

“You have to respect the machine. That’s what keeps you sharp.”

“My brother had a real bad spill,” Douglas said. “He came off the bike at the 1,000 foot mark down the track and broke his ankle.

“We were all worried about it would affect my brother’s long-term health, but he came back to the sport.

“I first heard about it during our chapel service,” Douglas said. “I met Scott’s father [Connie] once, and that family has icon status in the drag racing industry. This accident is a great loss to the drag racing community.”

Lori Worley has worked closely with NHRA drivers, said,

“It just leaves you numb,” Worley said. “These really great guys we’ve lost over the last few years — Darrell [Russell], Eric [Medlen] and now Scott [Kalitta]. You get to know them and you know them not just as racers but as really wonderful people ... It’s very difficult.

“Your heart just hurts for the whole Kalitta family. It’s such a tragedy and it’s a tremendous loss. Scott was an amazing person and a great competitor who was truly passionate about drag racing.”

Bristol Dragway operations manager Jack Cocklin said,

“All those guys will tell you the same thing straight-up, they know what they are doing and what might happen before they ever get in their car,” Cocklin said. “It’s a dangerous sport.

“But like the drag racers said on TV Saturday night after Kalitta’s death, drag racing is just in their blood and they’re going to do it.

“It’s amazing to walk around, even during our weekly local races, to see how the folks help each other,” Cocklin said. “The sportsmanship and sense of family that goes into this sport at all levels really is amazing.

“When one competitor has a problem with their car, all sorts of folks will come over to loan parts and help.

“The drivers always wave when they see our Bristol Dragway uniform,” Cocklin said. “ Scott was one of those guys who kept a smile on his face. He will be missed, that’s for sure.”

[Source,source]

sweatpantsmom — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 00:47:00 GMT

NHRA's Scott Kalitta was killed on Saturday during the final round of qualifying for the Lucas Oil NHRA SuperNationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in New Jersey. Kalitta's Funny Car was traveling at an estimated 300 mph when it burst into flames and crashed at the end of the track.

Kalitta, the 1994 and 1995 Top Fuel season champion. was taken to the Old Bridge division of Raritan Bay Medical Center where he died a short time later.

The NHRA said in a statement:

“We are deeply saddened and want to pass along our sincere condolences to the entire Kalitta family. Scott shared the same passion for drag racing as his legendary father, Connie. He also shared the same desire to win, becoming a two-time series world champion. He left the sport for a period of time, to devote more time to his family, only to be driven to return to the drag strip to regain his championship form. ... He will be truly missed by the entire NHRA community.”

Scott Kalitta was 46 and is survived by his father, wife Kathy and sons Corey, 14, and Colin, 8.

Our thoughts go out to the Kalitta family.

Source

FameCrawler : scott kalitta

Best of FameCrawler: Week of June 27th

Funeral For Scott Kalitta

Scott Kalitta Killed In Drag Racing Crash