I've just posted a few pics from yesterday's Winner's Circle. Hope you enjoy! - TM
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Saturday, December 27, 2008
THANK YOU!!!
Thanks to everyone who has followed along with all the racing action and my ramblings! I will continue to update this blog...a little less frequently...and the www.kalittamemorial.com page with photos and videos until we head back to the States on New Year's Day, but a hearty thanks from me to all of you who have kept up and please continue to do so!
We miss you, Scotty!
For now...Todd has left the building!
We miss you, Scotty!
For now...Todd has left the building!
Top Fueler Hillary Will wins the Scott Kalitta Memorial Trophy in Sydney
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
KALITTA MOTORSPORTS
KALITTA MOTORSPORTS
Top Fueler Hillary Will wins the Scott Kalitta Memorial Trophy in Sydney
BLACKTOWN, Australia, (Dec. 28, 2008) – NHRA Top Fuel star Hillary Will, the world’s fastest female, claimed the inaugural Scott Kalitta Memorial Trophy by winning the Shannons U.S.A. v. Australia Top Fuel Showdown at Western Sydney Int’l Dragway in Sydney, Australia, Sunday.
Will, a 28-year old native of Fortuna, Calif., was the only American competing in the event. Her team, led by crew chief Jim Oberhofer, was plagued by many mechanical problems throughout the event but posted the quickest lap of the event in the final round by defeating Aussie Terry Sainty, 4.743 seconds, 303.16 mph to 5.284 sec., 260.51 mph.
Will, the No. 3 qualifier (5.519 sec., 197.94 mph) defeated No. 6 qualifier Mark Mariani in round one of eliminations after Mariani’s dragster would not go into reverse after the burnout. Will got the solo run and advanced to the semifinals after smoking the tires immediately upon hitting the throttle, 13.309 sec., 79.83 mph.
In the semifinals, Will raced against Martin Stamatis. Will got a huge starting line advantage (.118 sec. to .334 sec.), but both dragsters struggled to maintain traction when they got near half-track. When all of the smoke cleared, Will’s win light was on after the pedal-fest, 5.909 sec., 189.31 mph to 6.054 sec., 155.47 mph to advance to the final against Sainty.
“This means so much to me and this team,” Will, who has now claimed Top Fuel titles in three different sanctioning bodies (ANDRA, NHRA, and IHRA), said. “To get this trophy and take it back to the States is such an honor for us. Scott was my mentor, and he was like a brother to me. We miss him so much, but we are so happy to win this trophy for Connie, Doug, Scott’s wife Kathy, and his boys, Corey and Colin and the entire Kalitta family.”
Scott Kalitta, a teammate of Will’s at Kalitta Motorsports and the 2005 and 2006 champion of the U.S.A. vs. Australia Top Fuel Showdown, died June 21, 2008, from injuries he suffered in a high-speed Funny Car racing accident at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park during qualifying for the NHRA national event in Englishtown, N.J.
Scott, the son of Kalitta Motorsports team owner and drag racing legend Connie Kalitta, was a two-time NHRA Top Fuel World Champion (1994-1995) and the winner of 18 NHRA national events (17 Top Fuel, 1 Funny Car). Scott is survived by his father, Connie; wife, Kathy; and sons, Corey, 15, and Colin, 9.
Scott continues to hold the Australian Top Fuel speed record, 332.84 mph, set in December, 2006, at WSID with Oberhofer at the helm. On that lap, Scott also posted the quickest Top Fuel time ever on Australian soil, 4.517 seconds.
The 2008 racing season was the best of Hillary Will’s three-year career as a professional driver. Will became the fastest woman in the world when she posted a 335-MPH lap down the quarter-mile race track at the first event in the 2008 NHRA season. Will then powered her 8,000-horsepower, nitro-fueled dragster to a career-high fourth place finish in championship points after scoring three final-round finishes and five semi-final round finishes. She picked up an emotional first NHRA national event title in Topeka, Kan., June 1, 2008.
Based in Ypsilanti, Michigan, Kalitta Motorsports is a Top Fuel and Funny Car drag racing team in the NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. The racing operation was started in 1959 by legendary drag racer and team owner Connie “the Bounty Hunter” Kalitta.
WILL WINS!!!
and she FINALLY got a full pull...4.743 @ 303.16. Sainty ran 5.284 @ 260.51. Great job by Jim"O" and the guys!
Top Fuel final is under the tower...
...so it should be soon. And, I can see the rain in the distance.
Final rounds are underway...
...and the skies are darkening. They tell me rain is on its way, but we are going to try to get all the runs in before it hits, but I think that's optimistic. The TF cars are not in the lanes as of yet.
Great job!
It will be Hillary Will vs. Terry Sainty in the TF final round. Hillary did a helluva great job of driving in the semis! She welded Stamatis to the tree - .118 to .334 and then did an outstanding job of pedaling the car after the tires started spinning around half-track. Stamatis spun the tires too somewhat and he was making a top-half charge so Hill's starting line advantage was big.
Sainty will have lane choice in the final round.
Sainty will have lane choice in the final round.
I spy with my lil' eye
Taking a look back in the staging lanes I see Hillary getting her helmet on and getting ready! It looks from here like she will be in the second pair.
It's approximately 9:25 p.m. ET in the States.
It's approximately 9:25 p.m. ET in the States.
Remembering and racing soon
"Opening" ceremonies are taking place now and the WSID folks are playing their wonderful tribute video to Scott again on the big screen. It's always good to see that smile! Sure do miss you, buddy.
Round two of TF should be coming up soon. They are introducing the TF drivers now...better late than never I guess.
Round two of TF should be coming up soon. They are introducing the TF drivers now...better late than never I guess.
Walking on the sun
The announcers just told the crowd at WSID that the track temperature is 148 degrees! Are ya freakin' kiddin' me?! No wonder I haven't ventured from the tower too much today!
Please pardon my door!
Just sitting up here in the tower watching some of the other classes of racing. Not sure of the class, but a fairly small 8-second car just lost the outer skin of the driver's door right as he crossed the finish line. It just flew like a sail over the wall and landed a good 30 ft. from the track. That was an odd sight!
Will advances to Semis!
Mariani v. Will: Winner - Will - 13.309 @ 79.83...Mariani couldn't get in the car in reverse after the burnout so Hillary got the bye run...and it's a good thing. Will's dragster immediately smoked the tires on the hit...very odd.
First TF pair
Stamatis v. Shepherd: Winner - Stamatis in a pedalfest...8.434 @ 161.38 to 11.913 @ 52.22
So...I spoke too soon!
Bad PR guy! If Rick Fischer were here he would slap my hand.
TF is under the tower and the first pair will fire off in just a few minutes. Hillary and her opponent, Mark Mariani, will be the second pair.
TF is under the tower and the first pair will fire off in just a few minutes. Hillary and her opponent, Mark Mariani, will be the second pair.
Eleven Shmeleven...
Evidently scheduling here is pretty 'loose'. I just took a peek at the staging lanes and there is not a TF car in sight. I talked with co-crew chief Troy Fasching and he said no one has given them a definite time for first round yet. Nothing like waiting for more heat to get in the track! Oh well. I will keep you posted as I hear anything.
The first pair of dragsters are at the line!
Jr. Dragsters, that is. It's 10:30 a.m. and we are starting early with the scaled-down rails.
Random Oz Observations (ROO)
Ok, so I'm sitting here at the track and I'm a jot bored. I am drinking my instant coffee, which seems to be popular here, and thought I would share a couple of random things...
First, a big thanks to the lovely ladies in Race Control which is situated right next to my temporary station. Taanja, Kathleen and Melissa are wonderful and have been so nice and accommodating to me since the second I met them!
Second, I'm not sure exactly what species of bird that's quite prevalent here at the track, but it makes the most unusual squawk I've heard in all my 38 years. The thing looks like a crow in size, shape and colour (that's 'color' for all of us u-impaired Americans), but from its beak comes a shrill noise that's comparable to the sound of a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. Every time I hear one, which is often, I take a look around to see if some in the vicinity is dying and calling for help!
Last, Our friends here Down Under are big fans of abbreviating words and subsequently ending the new version in a long 'e' sound. For example...
Barbecue = barbie - "Put another shrimp on the barbie, mate."
Breakfast = brekky - "No worries, I'll have some toast and jam for brekky."
Sunnies = sunglasses - "It's so sunny today at WSID that I need my sunnies!"
More from mark1961...
Tinnie or tinny - a can of amber liquid or a small aluminium boat, take your pick.
Brolly - an umbrella.
Esky - handy for keeping the amber liquid chilled.Bickie - a biscuit or cookie to you guys n gals.
First, a big thanks to the lovely ladies in Race Control which is situated right next to my temporary station. Taanja, Kathleen and Melissa are wonderful and have been so nice and accommodating to me since the second I met them!
Second, I'm not sure exactly what species of bird that's quite prevalent here at the track, but it makes the most unusual squawk I've heard in all my 38 years. The thing looks like a crow in size, shape and colour (that's 'color' for all of us u-impaired Americans), but from its beak comes a shrill noise that's comparable to the sound of a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. Every time I hear one, which is often, I take a look around to see if some in the vicinity is dying and calling for help!
Last, Our friends here Down Under are big fans of abbreviating words and subsequently ending the new version in a long 'e' sound. For example...
Barbecue = barbie - "Put another shrimp on the barbie, mate."
Breakfast = brekky - "No worries, I'll have some toast and jam for brekky."
Sunnies = sunglasses - "It's so sunny today at WSID that I need my sunnies!"
More from mark1961...
Tinnie or tinny - a can of amber liquid or a small aluminium boat, take your pick.
Brolly - an umbrella.
Esky - handy for keeping the amber liquid chilled.Bickie - a biscuit or cookie to you guys n gals.
Time check
Just to clarify the time difference between here and in the States, it is approaching 9:00 a.m. here which will be 5:00 p.m. ET across the pond. So, we are hopefully about two hours away from Top Fuel round one.
Talking with Jim Read last night, he also stated that once we get going with racing here today that we will try to turn around the cars as quickly as possible.
Talking with Jim Read last night, he also stated that once we get going with racing here today that we will try to turn around the cars as quickly as possible.
We are back!
Howdy folks! We are back at the WSID track and the skies over the strip are bright and blue. Hopefully it will last and we will get eliminations in today.
As of last night before we left the track, the plan was to run Top Fuel first at 11:00 a.m. just like a Sunday morning at a NHRA event. I'm not sure if that plan is concrete, but I sure hope so!
As soon as I got into my interim office here in the tower, I saw Jim"O" walking the track. It's a common site for NHRA fans to see that in the states, like the crew chief parade before the pro sessions begin, but it's not common down here. Not sure why but Jim"O" is the only crew chief I've seen inspecting the track from end to end.
14:59 and counting
It is now 12:25 in the a.m. here in Oz, but I am having trouble sleeping and wanted to take a quick moment to share with you a great moment today for this PR guy.
It was just after the rains started today. I hear my mate Dean talking over the P.A. next door telling the draggy faithful at WSID that the day is delayed when my ears perk up in very quick haste. Dean had just said my name over the speakers...huh? Since it was now "filler" time on the P.A., Dean decided that I might make a good subject for interview. So, within seconds I was scurried from my interim office at WSID into the announcer's booth (I am on the right in the photo, which is courtesy of my new mate Lee Davis, a wonderful photog at the track).
I dropped on the headset and away we went. Now, I know that I was just there to fill some time on the mic, but I have to say it was very flattering and a moment of this wonderful trip that I will never forget. Dean asked me a handful of questions over a span of several minutes and I was a bit sad when it was over, but I will never forget the lofty, yet ever-so brief experience.
Thanks, Dean!
Update you soon - TM
Friday, December 26, 2008
Eliminations postponed for the 2008 U.S.A. v. Australia Top Fuel Showdown
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
KALITTA MOTORSPORTS
Eliminations postponed for the 2008 U.S.A. v. Australia Top Fuel Showdown
BLACKTOWN, Australia, (Dec. 27, 2008) – NHRA Top Fuel star Hillary Will, the world’s fastest female, qualified her 8,000-horsepower dragster in the No. 3 (5.013 seconds, 213.47 mph) spot for Saturday’s final eliminations of the Shannons U.S.A. v. Australia Top Fuel Showdown at Western Sydney Int’l Dragway in Sydney, Australia, but unfortunately rained moved into the area late in the day and has postponed eliminations until tomorrow.
Will, a 28-year old native of Fortuna, Calif., is the only American competing in the event. She and the other seven competitors in tomorrow’s Top Fuel eliminations will be vying to win the inaugural Scott Kalitta Memorial Trophy. Will is set to race against No. 6 qualifier (5.519 sec., 197.94 mph) Mark Mariani in round one of eliminations.
Racing will resume at 11:00 a.m. (local) with a determination of the time for the first round of Top Fuel to be made tomorrow morning.
The 2008 racing season was the best of Hillary Will’s three-year career as a professional driver. Will became the fastest woman in the world when she posted a 335-MPH lap down the quarter-mile race track at the first event in the 2008 NHRA season. Will then powered her 8,000-horsepower, nitro-fueled dragster to a career-high fourth place finish in championship points after scoring three final-round finishes and five semi-final round finishes. She picked up an emotional first NHRA national event title in Topeka, Kan., June 1, 2008.
Scott Kalitta, a teammate of Will’s at Kalitta Motorsports and the 2005 and 2006 champion of the U.S.A. vs. Australia Top Fuel Showdown, died June 21, 2008, from injuries he suffered in a high-speed Funny Car racing accident at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park during qualifying for the NHRA national event in Englishtown, N.J.
Scott, the son of Kalitta Motorsports team owner and drag racing legend Connie Kalitta, was a two-time NHRA Top Fuel World Champion (1994-1995) and the winner of 18 NHRA national events (17 Top Fuel, 1 Funny Car). Scott is survived by his father, Connie; wife, Kathy; and sons, Corey, 15, and Colin, 9.
Scott continues to hold the Australian Top Fuel speed record, 332.84 mph, set in December, 2006, at WSID with Oberhofer at the helm. On that lap, Scott also posted the quickest Top Fuel time ever on Australian soil, 4.517 seconds.
Based in Ypsilanti, Michigan, Kalitta Motorsports is a Top Fuel and Funny Car drag racing team in the NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. The racing operation was started in 1959 by legendary drag racer and team owner Connie “the Bounty Hunter” Kalitta.
KALITTA MOTORSPORTS
Eliminations postponed for the 2008 U.S.A. v. Australia Top Fuel Showdown
BLACKTOWN, Australia, (Dec. 27, 2008) – NHRA Top Fuel star Hillary Will, the world’s fastest female, qualified her 8,000-horsepower dragster in the No. 3 (5.013 seconds, 213.47 mph) spot for Saturday’s final eliminations of the Shannons U.S.A. v. Australia Top Fuel Showdown at Western Sydney Int’l Dragway in Sydney, Australia, but unfortunately rained moved into the area late in the day and has postponed eliminations until tomorrow.
Will, a 28-year old native of Fortuna, Calif., is the only American competing in the event. She and the other seven competitors in tomorrow’s Top Fuel eliminations will be vying to win the inaugural Scott Kalitta Memorial Trophy. Will is set to race against No. 6 qualifier (5.519 sec., 197.94 mph) Mark Mariani in round one of eliminations.
Racing will resume at 11:00 a.m. (local) with a determination of the time for the first round of Top Fuel to be made tomorrow morning.
The 2008 racing season was the best of Hillary Will’s three-year career as a professional driver. Will became the fastest woman in the world when she posted a 335-MPH lap down the quarter-mile race track at the first event in the 2008 NHRA season. Will then powered her 8,000-horsepower, nitro-fueled dragster to a career-high fourth place finish in championship points after scoring three final-round finishes and five semi-final round finishes. She picked up an emotional first NHRA national event title in Topeka, Kan., June 1, 2008.
Scott Kalitta, a teammate of Will’s at Kalitta Motorsports and the 2005 and 2006 champion of the U.S.A. vs. Australia Top Fuel Showdown, died June 21, 2008, from injuries he suffered in a high-speed Funny Car racing accident at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park during qualifying for the NHRA national event in Englishtown, N.J.
Scott, the son of Kalitta Motorsports team owner and drag racing legend Connie Kalitta, was a two-time NHRA Top Fuel World Champion (1994-1995) and the winner of 18 NHRA national events (17 Top Fuel, 1 Funny Car). Scott is survived by his father, Connie; wife, Kathy; and sons, Corey, 15, and Colin, 9.
Scott continues to hold the Australian Top Fuel speed record, 332.84 mph, set in December, 2006, at WSID with Oberhofer at the helm. On that lap, Scott also posted the quickest Top Fuel time ever on Australian soil, 4.517 seconds.
Based in Ypsilanti, Michigan, Kalitta Motorsports is a Top Fuel and Funny Car drag racing team in the NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. The racing operation was started in 1959 by legendary drag racer and team owner Connie “the Bounty Hunter” Kalitta.
The plug has been pulled
No more racing today. We will resume racing tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. I will pass along the time for Top Fuel as I get it. - TM
Well...
It's still raining...drizzling...and they just announced that we are in a wait-n-see mode for about another half hour. Track drying has begun, but evidently we are not as clear of the weather as once reported. A decision will be made in the 30 minutes. If today's action is postponed, racing will resume at 11:00 a.m. tomorrow, but not with TF. The schedule will be revised and announced tomorrow. We shall all wait...
What are these drops of moisture falling from the sky?
Yep. It's raining. It's not hard and it's not supposed to last long. It's 4:50 p.m. here and I hear from Dean and the boys in the announcing booth that we are going to try to put Top Fuel eliminations on the line at 6:00 p.m. I will keep you posted, but before the rain hit, they were able to get the United States and the Australian national anthems sung and two parachutists braved the windy conditions with GIANT flags!
Check in a bit! - TM
Back at the track!
G'day mates (sorry, I had to)! We are back to racing on this fine eliminations day here at WSID. Top Fuel eliminations are scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m. local time, but I have heard that that time may get pushed back some due to the high temperatures. It is really warm here at 12:45 p.m. and is expected to only get warmer until sunset. The humidity here is really stout at the moment, too.
The Team Kalitta crew guys are back in the pits getting the dragster ready. I spoke with Jim"O" last night after all the dust had settled and he said he was just not backing the car down enough. It was sticking pretty good until about 2.5 seconds and then it just kept overpowering the race track. In essence we brought a 4.40 ('cause it's a quarter-mile here, ya know) date to a 4.80 prom. He told me he was gonna de-tune a little more for today's eliminations and hopefully get all the way down the track.
Thanks for stopping by and I will check in a bit later.
The Team Kalitta crew guys are back in the pits getting the dragster ready. I spoke with Jim"O" last night after all the dust had settled and he said he was just not backing the car down enough. It was sticking pretty good until about 2.5 seconds and then it just kept overpowering the race track. In essence we brought a 4.40 ('cause it's a quarter-mile here, ya know) date to a 4.80 prom. He told me he was gonna de-tune a little more for today's eliminations and hopefully get all the way down the track.
Thanks for stopping by and I will check in a bit later.
Will qualifies No. 3 for eliminations of the 2008 U.S.A. v. Australia Top Fuel Showdown
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
KALITTA MOTORSPORTS
Top Fueler Hillary Will qualifies No. 3 for eliminations of the 2008 U.S.A. v. Australia Top Fuel Showdown
BLACKTOWN, Australia, (Dec. 26, 2008) – NHRA Top Fuel star Hillary Will, the world’s fastest female, qualified her 8,000-horsepower dragster in the No. 3 (5.013 seconds, 213.47 mph) spot for tomorrow’s final eliminations of the Shannons U.S.A. v. Australia Top Fuel Showdown at Western Sydney Int’l Dragway in Sydney, Australia.
Will, a 28-year old native of Fortuna, Calif., is the only American competing in the event. Her team, led by crew chief Jim Oberhofer, was plagued by many mechanical problems throughout the three sessions of qualifying Friday at WSID and had to hurry to make their final attempt, which looked strong early but faded down track. Will’s 5.013-second lap from the first qualifying session of the day ended up being the team’s best. Will and the other seven competitors in tomorrow’s Top Fuel eliminations will be vying to win the inaugural Scott Kalitta Memorial Trophy.
Will is set to race against No. 6 qualifier (5.519 sec., 197.94 mph) Mark Mariani in round one of eliminations tomorrow afternoon.
The 2008 racing season was the best of Hillary Will’s three-year career as a professional driver. Will became the fastest woman in the world when she posted a 335-MPH lap down the quarter-mile race track at the first event in the 2008 NHRA season. Will then powered her 8,000-horsepower, nitro-fueled dragster to a career-high fourth place finish in championship points after scoring three final-round finishes and five semi-final round finishes. She picked up an emotional first NHRA national event title in Topeka, Kan., June 1, 2008.
Scott Kalitta, a teammate of Will’s at Kalitta Motorsports and the 2005 and 2006 champion of the U.S.A. vs. Australia Top Fuel Showdown, died June 21, 2008, from injuries he suffered in a high-speed Funny Car racing accident at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park during qualifying for the NHRA national event in Englishtown, N.J.
Scott, the son of Kalitta Motorsports team owner and drag racing legend Connie Kalitta, was a two-time NHRA Top Fuel World Champion (1994-1995) and the winner of 18 NHRA national events (17 Top Fuel, 1 Funny Car). Scott is survived by his father, Connie; wife, Kathy; and sons, Corey, 15, and Colin, 9.
Scott continues to hold the Australian Top Fuel speed record, 332.84 mph, set in December, 2006, at WSID with Oberhofer at the helm. On that lap, Scott also posted the quickest Top Fuel time ever on Australian soil, 4.517 seconds.
Based in Ypsilanti, Michigan, Kalitta Motorsports is a Top Fuel and Funny Car drag racing team in the NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. The racing operation was started in 1959 by legendary drag racer and team owner Connie “the Bounty Hunter” Kalitta.
KALITTA MOTORSPORTS
Top Fueler Hillary Will qualifies No. 3 for eliminations of the 2008 U.S.A. v. Australia Top Fuel Showdown
BLACKTOWN, Australia, (Dec. 26, 2008) – NHRA Top Fuel star Hillary Will, the world’s fastest female, qualified her 8,000-horsepower dragster in the No. 3 (5.013 seconds, 213.47 mph) spot for tomorrow’s final eliminations of the Shannons U.S.A. v. Australia Top Fuel Showdown at Western Sydney Int’l Dragway in Sydney, Australia.
Will, a 28-year old native of Fortuna, Calif., is the only American competing in the event. Her team, led by crew chief Jim Oberhofer, was plagued by many mechanical problems throughout the three sessions of qualifying Friday at WSID and had to hurry to make their final attempt, which looked strong early but faded down track. Will’s 5.013-second lap from the first qualifying session of the day ended up being the team’s best. Will and the other seven competitors in tomorrow’s Top Fuel eliminations will be vying to win the inaugural Scott Kalitta Memorial Trophy.
Will is set to race against No. 6 qualifier (5.519 sec., 197.94 mph) Mark Mariani in round one of eliminations tomorrow afternoon.
The 2008 racing season was the best of Hillary Will’s three-year career as a professional driver. Will became the fastest woman in the world when she posted a 335-MPH lap down the quarter-mile race track at the first event in the 2008 NHRA season. Will then powered her 8,000-horsepower, nitro-fueled dragster to a career-high fourth place finish in championship points after scoring three final-round finishes and five semi-final round finishes. She picked up an emotional first NHRA national event title in Topeka, Kan., June 1, 2008.
Scott Kalitta, a teammate of Will’s at Kalitta Motorsports and the 2005 and 2006 champion of the U.S.A. vs. Australia Top Fuel Showdown, died June 21, 2008, from injuries he suffered in a high-speed Funny Car racing accident at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park during qualifying for the NHRA national event in Englishtown, N.J.
Scott, the son of Kalitta Motorsports team owner and drag racing legend Connie Kalitta, was a two-time NHRA Top Fuel World Champion (1994-1995) and the winner of 18 NHRA national events (17 Top Fuel, 1 Funny Car). Scott is survived by his father, Connie; wife, Kathy; and sons, Corey, 15, and Colin, 9.
Scott continues to hold the Australian Top Fuel speed record, 332.84 mph, set in December, 2006, at WSID with Oberhofer at the helm. On that lap, Scott also posted the quickest Top Fuel time ever on Australian soil, 4.517 seconds.
Based in Ypsilanti, Michigan, Kalitta Motorsports is a Top Fuel and Funny Car drag racing team in the NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. The racing operation was started in 1959 by legendary drag racer and team owner Connie “the Bounty Hunter” Kalitta.
They made it!
Hillary's car just fired over for the final qualifying run of the night. Let's just hope the mad thrash pays off.
Drama
Well, the first pair of Top Fuelers just went down the track and the next pair just fired and Hillary and her car were still in the pits as I made my way back to the tower. Seems there was a pushrod problem on our car late in the service and the crew guys are in a mad thrash. They have warmed up the car and Hillary is suited up and ready to be buckled in when she can. With only eight Top Fuel cars running the session, well, you can see the rush. Keep your fingers crossed we can make the call.
The waiting game.
It's now approaching 10:35 p.m. here at WSID and the third and final session of Top Fuel qualifying is still to come. We have had at least one accident on the track, in which I believe no one was hurt, and at least one really nasty oil down. part of the fun of the oil down though was the "burnout pad" that sits just to the right of the race track right in front of the main grandstands. During the downtime, a gentleman, whose name I can't recall, in a small orange car, which I have no idea of make or model, created an absolutely insane amount of smoke as he twisted and turned and looped and twirled on the burnout pad until there was not one reasonable shred of rubber left on the rear tires. And...the crowd went wild!
Session two results
Both Hillary and Amanda had some problems on their run. Hillary drops to number two in the order...
Stamatis - 4.924 sec., 231.24 mph
Will - 5.013 sec., 213.47 mph (5.293 sec., 179.23 mph)
Sainty - 5.197 sec., 266.37 mph
Mariani - (5.519 sec., 197.94 mph)
Dobson - 5.670 sec., 165.94 mph
Shepherd - 5.835 sec., 158.17 mph
Lamanttina - 6.736 sec., 123.98 mph
Read - 9.347 sec., 89.44 mph
Here's a video of Hillary vs. Amanda Shepherd.
Stamatis - 4.924 sec., 231.24 mph
Will - 5.013 sec., 213.47 mph (5.293 sec., 179.23 mph)
Sainty - 5.197 sec., 266.37 mph
Mariani - (5.519 sec., 197.94 mph)
Dobson - 5.670 sec., 165.94 mph
Shepherd - 5.835 sec., 158.17 mph
Lamanttina - 6.736 sec., 123.98 mph
Read - 9.347 sec., 89.44 mph
Here's a video of Hillary vs. Amanda Shepherd.
Fast females...
...the boys in the announcing booth are saying that the forthcoming run between Hillary and Amanda will be the first woman v. woman match-up in Australian history for the Top Fuel class. Good stuff! I had a chance to chat with Miss Amanda a little bit earlier and she seems like a very nice young lady. They do qualifying here quite differently than in NHRA. Here, you pretty much get to pick who you want to run and when you want to run. Amanda came over to our pits and asked if it would be okay yo run against Hillary in the last pair...way cool!
It's 7:09 p.m. here and Hillary and Amanda are next after Phil Read makes a solo.
It's 7:09 p.m. here and Hillary and Amanda are next after Phil Read makes a solo.
Session two of TF qualifying is underway!
Hillary is scheduled to run against Amanda Shepherd in the final pair of the session.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Will No. 1 after session 1
Hillary and the team made a strong pass down the right lane, but the car started spinning the tyres (yes, that's the Australian spelling) down track, and she rightfully lifted. Her 5.013-second, 213.47-mph run was still the best of the session so she is the provisional pole sitter.
Will - 5.013 sec., 213.47 mph
Mariani - 5.519 sec., 197.94 mph
Sainty - 6.609 sec., 132.70 mph
Stamatis - 6.870 sec., 116.05 mph
Lamanttina - 7.351 sec., 111.92 mph
Shepherd - 9.574 sec., 70.45 mph
Read - 11.191 sec., 78.52 mph
Dobson - 11.533 sec., 54.08 mph
Morgan - DQ
Will - 5.013 sec., 213.47 mph
Mariani - 5.519 sec., 197.94 mph
Sainty - 6.609 sec., 132.70 mph
Stamatis - 6.870 sec., 116.05 mph
Lamanttina - 7.351 sec., 111.92 mph
Shepherd - 9.574 sec., 70.45 mph
Read - 11.191 sec., 78.52 mph
Dobson - 11.533 sec., 54.08 mph
Morgan - DQ
Wow!
Darren Morgan is already back out in from the crowd here at WSID! He came riding up the return road in his tow vehicle and jumped out to talk to one of the track-side P.A. announcers. Incredible stuff.
Morgan is A-OK!
Good news! WSID officials are announcing that Darren Morgan is out of the car and seems to be just fine. He will be transported to a medical facility for precautions.
Update...
TF driver Darren Morgan just had a terrible crash in the left lane. One of the rear tires came off of the car before half-track. He was in the left lane racing against Allan Dobson. Track officials are saying that Morgan is conscious in the car. The car darted over to the right lane and hit the retaining wall. Safety Safari was to Morgan's car in a flash...just like the NHRA Safety Safari. That was the third pair of TF cars down the race track. I will send another update when all the TF cars have made their laps.
Girl power!
Here's a pic of Hillary meeting her Australian female Top Fuel counterpart Amanda Shepherd. The two fast ladies got a chance to chat a moment before going up to the starting line for introductions. The crowd here at WSID greeted Hillary the "Australian way" with a rousing chant of "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie...Oy, Oy, Oy"!
I've added some photos of today to the Photo gallery as well as a few more quick videos in the Videos section.
It's 4:45 p.m. here so we are only 15 min. away from Top Fuel qualifying session 1!
Entry list for the Scott Kalitta Int'l Top Fuel Memorial
Phil Read
Phillip Lamattina
Hillary Will
Allan Dobson
Terry Sainty
Martin Stamatis
Darren Morgan
Mark Mariani
Amanda Shepherd
And racing is now underway! First up...Jr. Dragsters, which would make my good friend Candida Benson at National Dragster a happy gal.
The first Top Fuel session is scheduled to roll to the starting line at 5:00 p.m. local time, which is 1:00 a.m. (ET) in the States.
Boxing Day!
Howdy drag racing fans and welcome to Boxing Day at the drags (in my best announcer voice)! That's right, it's Boxing day here in Australia which means it's Christmas day right now in the States. Well, I guess it's more like Christmas night, or at least getting close to it on the East coast. It is an absolutely fantastic day here in Western 'burbs of Sydney. As my friend Bob Frey would say, "It's a Chamber of Commerce day here at WSID!"
I hope all of you had a great Christmas and Santa found your names on the "Nice" side of the list. As I am writing this, the first two race fans here at the Boxing Day Scott Kalitta Memorial event have made their way to their seats...umbrella in hand. Nope, no rainclouds in sight, but the giant, fiery orb in the heavens is beating down pretty good today in Oz.
I've asked several people since we got here just exactly what is Boxing Day? And, I've heard a different answer each time, but according to Wikipedia, Boxing Day is a public holiday in Australia and countries with a mainly Christian population. It is based on the tradition of giving gifts to the less fortunate members of society. Contemporary Boxing Day in many countries is now a "shopping holiday" associated with after-Christmas sales. So, there you have it. All I know is that people around here have shown as much if not more excitement for Boxing Day than for Christmas. Also, for all of our friends in the states, you have to remember that it is the middle of summer here, so the Christmas traditions are completely different than what we are used to.
I've just attempted to fix my first spot of hot tea..."When in Rome...". I'm from Tennessee and drink tea cold and swimming in sugar, but I thought, "Hey, I'll give it a shot." Not bad...I bet if I popped it in the fridge and dropped a few packets of sweetener in it it would be just like my grandmother makes in a couple hours...well, maybe that's a tad of a stretch.
Last night, the whole lot of us Americans went to have Christmas dinner in downtown Sydney. The weather was spectacular and we ate at an open-air restaurant, "I'm Angus" (great name!). The food was great and so was the company. Jim"O" told us about him and Scott eating at the same place on a previous visit.
We've done a lot of talking about Scotty. It's still very hard to comprehend that he is not here with us, but knowing that we're here to race in his honor has been the biggest help for my coping. It's getting easier to smile when I think about him now. Until recently, the quick smiles were almost instantly followed by sadness, but I'm finding that since we've been here that that is getting "better". This morning when I opened my E-mail when I got set up here at the track, the top of my Inbox was occupied with a snapshot of the Scott Kalitta Memorial Trophy (pictured). I've had a big smile on my face all morning just looking at it and thinking about Scott. It's a very comforting feeling that I hope is here to stay.
I've uploaded another gallery of photos from our festivities on Christmas day. Like always, you can find them in the Photo gallery at kalittamemorial.com. Thanks for stopping by. I will be checking in more often for the next couple of days. I will be publishing race results here as I get them. The great folks here at WSID have been very accommodating to me and I can't thank them enough! Talk to you in a bit! - TM
I hope all of you had a great Christmas and Santa found your names on the "Nice" side of the list. As I am writing this, the first two race fans here at the Boxing Day Scott Kalitta Memorial event have made their way to their seats...umbrella in hand. Nope, no rainclouds in sight, but the giant, fiery orb in the heavens is beating down pretty good today in Oz.
I've asked several people since we got here just exactly what is Boxing Day? And, I've heard a different answer each time, but according to Wikipedia, Boxing Day is a public holiday in Australia and countries with a mainly Christian population. It is based on the tradition of giving gifts to the less fortunate members of society. Contemporary Boxing Day in many countries is now a "shopping holiday" associated with after-Christmas sales. So, there you have it. All I know is that people around here have shown as much if not more excitement for Boxing Day than for Christmas. Also, for all of our friends in the states, you have to remember that it is the middle of summer here, so the Christmas traditions are completely different than what we are used to.
I've just attempted to fix my first spot of hot tea..."When in Rome...". I'm from Tennessee and drink tea cold and swimming in sugar, but I thought, "Hey, I'll give it a shot." Not bad...I bet if I popped it in the fridge and dropped a few packets of sweetener in it it would be just like my grandmother makes in a couple hours...well, maybe that's a tad of a stretch.
Last night, the whole lot of us Americans went to have Christmas dinner in downtown Sydney. The weather was spectacular and we ate at an open-air restaurant, "I'm Angus" (great name!). The food was great and so was the company. Jim"O" told us about him and Scott eating at the same place on a previous visit.
We've done a lot of talking about Scotty. It's still very hard to comprehend that he is not here with us, but knowing that we're here to race in his honor has been the biggest help for my coping. It's getting easier to smile when I think about him now. Until recently, the quick smiles were almost instantly followed by sadness, but I'm finding that since we've been here that that is getting "better". This morning when I opened my E-mail when I got set up here at the track, the top of my Inbox was occupied with a snapshot of the Scott Kalitta Memorial Trophy (pictured). I've had a big smile on my face all morning just looking at it and thinking about Scott. It's a very comforting feeling that I hope is here to stay.
I've uploaded another gallery of photos from our festivities on Christmas day. Like always, you can find them in the Photo gallery at kalittamemorial.com. Thanks for stopping by. I will be checking in more often for the next couple of days. I will be publishing race results here as I get them. The great folks here at WSID have been very accommodating to me and I can't thank them enough! Talk to you in a bit! - TM
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Merry Christmas (from Santo to Santa...sorta)!
Hello everyone and Merry Christmas! I know back in the States it is only Christmas Eve, but here in Oz it is 11:23 a.m. on Christmas Day.
Just a quick update today as we are planning to do several things today on our "day off". First of all, please be sure to check out the latest photos from the 3rd day of our trip in the Photo gallery. It is a gallery of photos from our trip into downtown Sydney and Darling Harbour last night.
After we walked around Darling Harbour, we were all invited over to dinner at Santo Rapisarda's home and let me tell you something; it was an awesome spread! Santo and his family were incredible and cooked up all kinds of great food for us. It was a fun feast of food and drink. Santo is a drag racing team owner here in Australia and one heckuva of party host! Thanks Santo!
We are going racing tomorrow! We have three qualifying sessions tomorrow. It will be an eight-car Top Fuel field and there are nine TF cars entered. The qualifying sessions are scheduled to start at 5:00 p.m. here tomorrow. We will race eliminations Saturday and the racing Saturday is also scheduled to start at 5:00 p.m., so I will be providing race updates on this page as quickly as I can get them posted.
I will check back in tomorrow. I will leave you with the following adaptation of a classic poem -
The Night Before Christmas (at Kalitta Motorsports)
'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the race shop. Not a thing was stirring, not even a broom or a mop;
The cylinder heads were hung in the motor room with care,In hopes that Connie Claus soon would be there;
We had all just settled down for a quick off-season. The crew guys were nestled all snug at their benches, With visions of screwdrivers, rods, and wrenches;
When out in the parking lot there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the office to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I raced for a peek,
Raised up the bay doors with a crack and a creak.
When, what with my cackling ears did I listen, But a Top Fuel sleigh with eight giant pistons, With a legendary driver, so lively without pause, I knew in a moment it must be Connie Claus.
His firesuit was green and red from his neck to his boots, And speckled with bits of grease, smoke and clutch soot;Like the Northern Star his helmet twinkled and shimmered,
From downtown Detroit to the shores of Lake Michigan;And the Bounty Hunter shouted as he crossed off their names – "Beat Garlits! Beat Shirley! Beat Snake and Kenny! Beat Cory and Dixon! Beat Amato and Eddie in Indy! From out of the shop and on to the track! Now race away! Race away! And don’t look back!"
He sprang to his rail, to his teams gave a whistle, And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
And I heard him exclaim, as he cracked the sky like a whip,"Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good time slip!"
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
The race car has a pit area and I have an office at WSID!
Greetings, fans! It's Christmas Eve here in Oz, so I want to take this opportunity to say Happy Holidays to you all and thank you for taking a few minutes to check in on Team Kalitta's trip across the pond!
We are really getting settled in here now. Yesterday, we got our pit area set up and this morning my good friend Mary Fabietti from WSID got me set up with an interim office in the tower. Everyone here has been so gracious and I want to say thanks from all of us at Kalitta Motorsports!
Since a picture is worth at least 1,000 words, I have just uploaded another photo gallery with over 50 photos from yesterday...my whiz bang math skills tells me that that's worth about 50,000 words so you better hop on over to the Photo gallery and get to 'reading'!
I also just uploaded a couple more short videos so please enjoy all the new audio/visual delights and I will check back in soon! - TM
We are really getting settled in here now. Yesterday, we got our pit area set up and this morning my good friend Mary Fabietti from WSID got me set up with an interim office in the tower. Everyone here has been so gracious and I want to say thanks from all of us at Kalitta Motorsports!
Since a picture is worth at least 1,000 words, I have just uploaded another photo gallery with over 50 photos from yesterday...my whiz bang math skills tells me that that's worth about 50,000 words so you better hop on over to the Photo gallery and get to 'reading'!
I also just uploaded a couple more short videos so please enjoy all the new audio/visual delights and I will check back in soon! - TM
Clarification
So that I do not catch any flack fro the Aussie government, Western Sydney Int'l Dragway is owned by the government of Australia. I stated in the previous blog that WSID was owned and operated by Mr. Jim Read, but I was incorrect. Oops.
Crikey, mate!
Howdy folks! First off, let's start with an HW update. From what we understand, she is inbound and will arrive sometime tomorrow morning...whew!
Today, the guys, and I guess I should introduce you to our 'Aussie' crew; Troy Fasching, Chris Butler, Tom Davis, Steve Watts, and Dave Griffiths, unloaded the canister and got the car and the rest of our stuff set up in our 'pit' area. Our pit space here in Sydney is not quite what we're used to, but it's cool. It's kinda like setting up a pit area inside of a hospitality tent (photo gallery for today should be posted by early afternoon (ET)). Everything was going pretty swimmingly until we tried to get Jim"O"'s computer up and going. For reasons no one really knows, the CPU in the computer just quit working. We tried several different avenues and nothing worked. Jim Read, our host and owner/operator of WSID, called in a few of his best lieutenants from the race track, Tony Beuk and Dean Neal (pictured here with Jim"O") to lend a hand. Low and behold and a few hours later they were able to get the hard drive out of the now lame machine and get it transferred to a suitable machine. I am pretty sure you could hear Jim"O"'s sigh of relief all the way to the Outback (not the steakhouse)! At the end of the day, the car, the pit space and Jim"O" were all at nominal levels, and we all went out for a drink with Jim, Bruce and Phil Read and some of there crew guys (Bruce and Phil are Jim's sons and a Top Fuel crew chief and driver respectively) and track workers afterwards. It's now 10:30 p.m. here and my roommate Troy is giving me the not so subtle hint that he is tired of hearing the pecking of these keyboard keys so I am headed for slumber. Please be sure to check for the latest photo gallery coming as soon as I can get set up in the morn. Take care and thanks for reading! - TM
Monday, December 22, 2008
Where's HW?!
Oh...one last thing before off to breakfast...
The lovely and talented Miss Will was not with the first group of travelers to cross the pond. She was just getting back from a goodwill trip to Iraq and left Detroit a day later than the rest of the group. We got a message from her last night that her flights got delayed and she was going to be a day later getting here, so hopefully everything will go more smoothly for her and her travels from here on out.
The lovely and talented Miss Will was not with the first group of travelers to cross the pond. She was just getting back from a goodwill trip to Iraq and left Detroit a day later than the rest of the group. We got a message from her last night that her flights got delayed and she was going to be a day later getting here, so hopefully everything will go more smoothly for her and her travels from here on out.
Left is Right!
Back on the air! It's about 5:30 a.m. here in Oz and since I couldn't sleep any longer, I thought I would get going and get some photos uploaded. The first gallery of photos for the trip is now online at www.kalittamemorial .com in the 'Photos' section. I can see the sun staring to come up as I'm watching Rugby on TV...it's the little differences. Please take a look at the pix and I will check back in later with more. - TM
Sunday, December 21, 2008
WE MADE IT!!!
...and Todd is one tired boy...whew...that's a long time in airports and planes and taxis and, well...it was just a long trip, but we made it and everyone is in good spirits. We got a chance to really quickly run out to the track when we landed and now we are all kinda really relaxing and checking in with loved ones and all that good stuff. I'm whooped, but tomorrow I will be back on the air with more happeneings and the first photo gallery for the trip will go up in the morn, too. Talk soon! - TM
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Getting ready for 21 hours in the air!
Howdy. Todd Myers here. I do the PR for Hillary Will and Team Kalitta and I will be your host for this blog and for the race for the Scott Kalitta Memorial Trophy. We are all looking forward to going to Australia and spending time with each other and racing our dragster, but we are all very aware that the reason for our trip is to honor our friend, our hero and our champion Scott Kalitta. So, when you are spending time with your families over this Holiday season, please remember Scott's family - Kathy, Corey, Colin and Connie and Doug.
Okay, time to get some last minute packing done and head for the airport in a couple hours. Our flight out of Detroit is scheduled to leave at 4:00 p.m. (ET). We have a layover in Chicago and then a layover in San Fran before the 'long' flight overseas. We are scheduled to take off from SFO at 10:30 p.m. and arrive in Sydney at 8:00 a.m. on the 22nd. With all the wintry weather we have here in beautiful, crime-free Detroit Rock City and in the Windy City, I just hope we have smooth 'sailing'. Cross your fingers! I will check in again soon!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
NHRA Top Fueler Hillary Will to vie for the Scott Kalitta Memorial Trophy in Australia
NHRA Top Fueler Hillary Will to vie for the Scott Kalitta Memorial Trophy in Australia
YPSILANTI, Mich., (Dec. 18, 2008) – NHRA Top Fuel star Hillary Will, the world’s fastest female, along with a crew of mechanics led by venerable crew chief and Top Fuel tuner Jim Oberhofer, will travel across the world this holiday season to compete for the inaugural Scott Kalitta Memorial Trophy at the Shannons U.S.A. Top Fuel Showdown at Western Sydney Int’l Dragway in Sydney, Australia, Dec. 26-27.
“I’m so excited about this opportunity” Will, a 28-year old native of Fortuna, Calif., said. “It’s wonderful to get a chance to go to Australia and race our dragster, but it’s even more special to have a chance to go there and win the first Scott Kalitta Memorial Trophy. Scott was my mentor, and we all still miss him very much. It would be such an honor for me and all of us at Kalitta Motorsports to bring the trophy home with us.”
“We boxed everything up right after the Finals in Pomona (Calif.) and put it on a ship for Australia,” Oberhofer commented. “The car we are racing in Sydney is the exact same car that we raced in the U.S., so we’ll be really familiar with it and it should be ready to make good laps right out of the box.”
The 2008 racing season was the best of Hillary Will’s three-year career as a professional driver. Will became the fastest woman in the world when she posted a 335-MPH lap down the quarter-mile race track at the first event in the 2008 NHRA season. Will then powered her 8,000-horsepower, nitro-fueled dragster to a career-high fourth place finish in championship points after scoring three final-round finishes and five semi-final round finishes. She picked up an emotional first NHRA national event title in Topeka, Kan., June 1, 2008.
Scott Kalitta, the 2005 and 2006 champion of the U.S.A. vs. Australia Top Fuel Showdown, died June 21, 2008, from injuries he suffered in a high-speed Funny Car racing accident at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park during qualifying for the NHRA national event in Englishtown, N.J.
Scott, the son of Kalitta Motorsports team owner and drag racing legend Connie Kalitta, was a two-time NHRA Top Fuel World Champion (1994-1995) and the winner of 18 NHRA national events (17 Top Fuel, 1 Funny Car). Scott is survived by his father, Connie; wife, Kathy; and sons, Corey, 15, and Colin, 9.
Scott continues to hold the Australian Top Fuel speed record, 332.84 mph, set in December, 2006, at WSID with Oberhofer at the helm. On that lap, Scott also posted the quickest Top Fuel time ever on Australian soil, 4.517 seconds.
Team Kalitta has set up a special Web site for the event “Down Under”. Race fans can follow the two-day event as well as the rest of the team’s happenings at http://www.kalittamemorial.com/. The Web site will be updated frequently beginning December 20th with blogs, videos, photo galleries and more.
Based in Ypsilanti, Michigan, Kalitta Motorsports is a Top Fuel and Funny Car drag racing team in the NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. The racing operation was started in 1959 by legendary drag racer and team owner Connie “the Bounty Hunter” Kalitta.
YPSILANTI, Mich., (Dec. 18, 2008) – NHRA Top Fuel star Hillary Will, the world’s fastest female, along with a crew of mechanics led by venerable crew chief and Top Fuel tuner Jim Oberhofer, will travel across the world this holiday season to compete for the inaugural Scott Kalitta Memorial Trophy at the Shannons U.S.A. Top Fuel Showdown at Western Sydney Int’l Dragway in Sydney, Australia, Dec. 26-27.
“I’m so excited about this opportunity” Will, a 28-year old native of Fortuna, Calif., said. “It’s wonderful to get a chance to go to Australia and race our dragster, but it’s even more special to have a chance to go there and win the first Scott Kalitta Memorial Trophy. Scott was my mentor, and we all still miss him very much. It would be such an honor for me and all of us at Kalitta Motorsports to bring the trophy home with us.”
“We boxed everything up right after the Finals in Pomona (Calif.) and put it on a ship for Australia,” Oberhofer commented. “The car we are racing in Sydney is the exact same car that we raced in the U.S., so we’ll be really familiar with it and it should be ready to make good laps right out of the box.”
The 2008 racing season was the best of Hillary Will’s three-year career as a professional driver. Will became the fastest woman in the world when she posted a 335-MPH lap down the quarter-mile race track at the first event in the 2008 NHRA season. Will then powered her 8,000-horsepower, nitro-fueled dragster to a career-high fourth place finish in championship points after scoring three final-round finishes and five semi-final round finishes. She picked up an emotional first NHRA national event title in Topeka, Kan., June 1, 2008.
Scott Kalitta, the 2005 and 2006 champion of the U.S.A. vs. Australia Top Fuel Showdown, died June 21, 2008, from injuries he suffered in a high-speed Funny Car racing accident at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park during qualifying for the NHRA national event in Englishtown, N.J.
Scott, the son of Kalitta Motorsports team owner and drag racing legend Connie Kalitta, was a two-time NHRA Top Fuel World Champion (1994-1995) and the winner of 18 NHRA national events (17 Top Fuel, 1 Funny Car). Scott is survived by his father, Connie; wife, Kathy; and sons, Corey, 15, and Colin, 9.
Scott continues to hold the Australian Top Fuel speed record, 332.84 mph, set in December, 2006, at WSID with Oberhofer at the helm. On that lap, Scott also posted the quickest Top Fuel time ever on Australian soil, 4.517 seconds.
Team Kalitta has set up a special Web site for the event “Down Under”. Race fans can follow the two-day event as well as the rest of the team’s happenings at http://www.kalittamemorial.com/. The Web site will be updated frequently beginning December 20th with blogs, videos, photo galleries and more.
Based in Ypsilanti, Michigan, Kalitta Motorsports is a Top Fuel and Funny Car drag racing team in the NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. The racing operation was started in 1959 by legendary drag racer and team owner Connie “the Bounty Hunter” Kalitta.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Welcome!
Hello race fans! This page dedicated to the Scott Kalitta Top Fuel Memorial event in Sydney, Australia, Dec. 26-27, 2008, will be updated daily beginning Dec. 20!
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