When is too young too race?

[davem]

Personally, I would not care to see ANYBODY crawl in a Super Late Model without getting some experience in a progression of classes prior to that.

I got in what is now a Nationwide car when I was about 20 with only a few races on dirt before that in a much slower division and finished 2nd behind the famous red farmer. I was lucky, but thought I was great at the time. I was NOT ready for that.

[carolwicks]

Winger...

You sir are the first one to consider the growth problems associated with "kid" drivers. Very important. So far we havent had any deaths or serious consequences regarding kids in racing. Everything will change at that time. ;-( I pray it never happens...
I have seen some awesome kid drivers and some terrible ones. so how do we draw the line. I dont think a "kid" should be in anything more than a 4 cylinder car until they have a valid drivers license and some experience in the seat.
I get in alot of trouble for thinking but it is my God given right. ;-)
I dont know what Bubba is thinking. well i dont think he is thinking. He is putting his son & the other drivers in terrible danger. I dont care how good he is, he is a little boy!OWM racing isnt for kids! I think its even more dangerous than SLM racing.
Its all about $$$$$$ and ego. Just my silly opinion.
Your post was the best Bob. Thank you.
carol

[Tommy King]

Part of my reasoning too is the weight of the cars. Lighter cars slow down faster and hit with less force.
The options available with 1/4 midgets, bandos and legends teach you everything you need to know. Putting lil Johnny in a Late model, Modified etc. is just ego. Same with dang double throw down cup haulers you see at short tracks.

[Don Nerone]

So if you can aford a big trailer and the best car and crew chief you shouldent buy them so that the racers that cant aford them wount get mad at Jonny.
Tommy you know bettewr than anyone that money wont buy It like most of the people here think. You grew up with your dad kicking ass with left over home grone stuff. Saw people spending big monry trying to beat him .
Here we go agin now you will see 10 post about how it is the money not the work . They wouldent winn if they won the loto but can blame it on something.Money!!
as for age..BJ had 2,000 laps in his car before he made his first race.
Sport allen was 14 at my track WITH A SPRINT. Though they were nuts but we gave him a try out. He was better than most of the adults.. Jeff came to eastbay when i was there at 14..Dirt sprint at the nationals..Was not going to let him race but i went for the tryout rule.. He was the fastest car there with out practice.
Ozz said it best . Its ok till something happens. the law and the rule are two different things.
Tommy check with a good lawer.


Don62

[Tommy King]

Your right on about money. It helps but know how can overcome it. I just believe that these kids and the big trailers is just a ego thing, my opinion. We don't need a law or lawyers that's what's wrong with the world. We need some people to have some common sense and say no junior can't race the big cars until he is old enough. Stop living your dream through the kid

[Boneman]

Lighter cars slow down faster and hit with less force.

Tommy, this is actually not the case. The rate at which a car slows down is what injures drivers. A car that folds up and distorts itself exposes the driver to much lower "g" forces.

[carolwicks]

From my view as a mom...

when my kids were young they played... they had a blast being kids. they raced their bicycles. if they crashed they scraped their knees.
why cant we just let kids be kids while they can. Racing cars is an adult sport. it is a dangerous sport and it is a costly sport. The money spent on racing could help the kid thru life with an education. Obviously the kid could never support a racing habit! it is given to them. and after you buy the hauler, the car, the clothing, the weekely fees etc. and the kid never makes it past the local race track where does his ego go then? 99% of them will never be professionals making good money racing.
They want to race because daddy does. daddy should say you can race when you can afford to!
its just my opinion and i know some damn good kid racers. but i still think some are way too young and way too involved to want to get a college education. Dont yell at me. i am talking about the average kids. i personally would rather see a college degree hanging on the wall then a cheap racing trophy on a shelf.. the trophy will collect dust. the degree will create a life. i still think alot is going to change when some young racing kid gets mutilated or killed on a race track... i hope to God i never see that. i dont think i could sleep again. ;-(
carolwicks

[Tommy King]

Boney

Thats why I like the legends and Bandos for kids. They are designed to absorb energy. Clips are built of unsupported 1x2 tubing to absorb energy. Bumpers are attached with flat plate tabs. This discourages rough racing and again folds and dissapates energy in accidents. The biggest selling point on these cars is center seat placement and ballast rules that prevent cheating seats left. If you have not seen one up close its worth checking out. someone put some thought into these things.
I am not a big fan of some types of kid promoted racing such as minicups and pro challenge for the lack of some of the safety features above.

[Boneman]

Tommy, good points!

Lots of drivers are concerned about driving Legends because they don't have the big, bulky cage that we are used to. Their safey record is pretty good, so I agree, they thought it out pretty well.

[Don Nerone]

So its not haw fast you go its how fast you stom? That is like saying that jumping of the building didnt kill him hitting thr ground did.
Age ???? How old does some of these drivers that have been in the way for years have to be before someone tells them to stop.
should have a new rule that after the 2nd lap down you have to pull in and park in a u suck circle in the infield. That will get it done..
What do you thing tommy. that shound make a great radio show.
And this week....who sucked....?

Don62

[OWM94]

I think its should be up to track owner/ Race Director. I started in go carts at 8 years old and my dad, Teddy Nelson, put me in a modified at Punta Gorda when I was 13. I was allowed to practice but not allowed to race until I had The race directors approval.

[Lizzard]

Tommy, what time is your show? Can you give us the link to tune in?

I think Chump Car minimum age is 13.

Daytona is going to be a blast. I got 5+ hours of seat time at PBIR. Daytona is 14 hours so with 4 drivers, each driver should get at least 3+.

Oh, they DO race in the rain...LOL

Autocross is another great way to "safely" get a kid learning car control albeit without other cars around.