WILL BELT INCIDENT "ONE OF THOSE FREAK THINGS"
Sun, 2008-07-20 12:29
A scary moment transpired during Friday’s Top Fuel qualifying at the NHRA Schucks Auto Parts Nationals in Seattle, Wash.
Top Fuel driver Hillary Will had lifted in her KB Racing Top Fuel dragster and deployed the parachutes when the ESPN2 cameras showed her head lean dangerously forward as if she were not buckled in.
For some inexplicable reason, the Kalitta Motorsports driver suffered a belt failure. Such an incident happened two weeks ago to an Alcohol Funny Car racer during the IHRA Rocky Mountain Nationals in Edmonton, Alb. He was uninjured but made abrupt contact with the steering upon parachute deployment. A scary moment transpired during Friday’s Top Fuel qualifying at the NHRA Schucks Auto Parts Nationals in Seattle, Wash.
Top Fuel driver Hillary Will had lifted in her KB Racing Top Fuel dragster and deployed the parachutes when the ESPN2 cameras showed her head lean dangerously forward as if she were not buckled in.
For some inexplicable reason, the Kalitta Motorsports driver suffered a belt failure. Such an incident happened two weeks ago to an Alcohol Funny Car racer during the IHRA Rocky Mountain Nationals in Edmonton, Alb. He was uninjured but made abrupt contact with the steering upon parachute deployment.
“The shoulder straps came loose; it was one of those freak things that happened,” Will said in an interview with ESPN2. “I guess that just illustrates to the race fans that even though we are running to 1,000 feet that we are still running some strong speeds.
“Once I got off of the throttle, it really pushed me forward. I tried to brace myself with my left foot. Obviously the chutes came out and it continued to push me forward.”
Will appeared calm during the interview and even smiled as she played off the clearly dangerous situation. She found the opportunity to throw in a sponsorship plea.
“Ya know, we are really trying to get a sponsor for next season if we are going to run,” Will admitted. “I have to do everything I can do to television time.
“It got my heart rate going and made my heart jump through my throat.”
Top Fuel driver Hillary Will had lifted in her KB Racing Top Fuel dragster and deployed the parachutes when the ESPN2 cameras showed her head lean dangerously forward as if she were not buckled in.
For some inexplicable reason, the Kalitta Motorsports driver suffered a belt failure. Such an incident happened two weeks ago to an Alcohol Funny Car racer during the IHRA Rocky Mountain Nationals in Edmonton, Alb. He was uninjured but made abrupt contact with the steering upon parachute deployment. A scary moment transpired during Friday’s Top Fuel qualifying at the NHRA Schucks Auto Parts Nationals in Seattle, Wash.
Top Fuel driver Hillary Will had lifted in her KB Racing Top Fuel dragster and deployed the parachutes when the ESPN2 cameras showed her head lean dangerously forward as if she were not buckled in.
For some inexplicable reason, the Kalitta Motorsports driver suffered a belt failure. Such an incident happened two weeks ago to an Alcohol Funny Car racer during the IHRA Rocky Mountain Nationals in Edmonton, Alb. He was uninjured but made abrupt contact with the steering upon parachute deployment.
“The shoulder straps came loose; it was one of those freak things that happened,” Will said in an interview with ESPN2. “I guess that just illustrates to the race fans that even though we are running to 1,000 feet that we are still running some strong speeds.
“Once I got off of the throttle, it really pushed me forward. I tried to brace myself with my left foot. Obviously the chutes came out and it continued to push me forward.”
Will appeared calm during the interview and even smiled as she played off the clearly dangerous situation. She found the opportunity to throw in a sponsorship plea.
“Ya know, we are really trying to get a sponsor for next season if we are going to run,” Will admitted. “I have to do everything I can do to television time.
“It got my heart rate going and made my heart jump through my throat.”
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