Re: Just What We Need!
 

Thank you this is what I was saying, the vast majority of the ones at a division race are there because their parent or parents are already there racing. Yeah some of these kids don't have a clue but some of the racers don't either.

Re: Just What We Need!
 

Would any of you give a loaded gun to a five year old?????????????????

Re: Just What We Need!
 

Apparently dartman would! "here ya go son, don't shoot yer brother! Now go out and kill somthin". Holy crap! Really? Yeah, what could go wrong? Jim

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Re: Just What We Need!
 

"also when I was 6 or 7 my father handed me .22 and we (we as my father,bother and me) went hunting for rabbits hours at a time.I knew not to shoot my bother with it, like my son knows not to drive down the return road flat out because I told him not too"


No I would not, because the laws have change in the last 50 years and I lived in the woods then.So nobody ever went hunting with there father.I didn't say we went alone dumb ***, Just like I would be there when my kid would make a pass.We don't pump our kid off that the track and go to the bar.

I would give a jr dragster to my son at the age 5 that ran 13.90 in the 1/8 and be there to help him.

I bought his when he was 6, but he never drove it on-till he was nine because he show no interest in it till when.


btw Seven states — Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Vermont and Washington — set no minimum age for solo hunting.

Re: Just What We Need!
 

Jr's should be run on Tuesdays and Wed. in the middle of the day !

Re: Just What We Need!
 

Damn Jim I wish I knew how you felt about JR racers and their parents before I paid my dues for the SSSSA. I know your point is about the 5 year olds but your comments lead me to believe you plain old hate JR's. All these statements about "REAL" race cars and JR's are obviously not real race cars. "REAL" like a 13-14 second stock eliminator car?? As the President of a racing organization I would think you would be more open minded. The SSSSA has 2 new racers and another one soon to follow who came straight out of JR's. Where are your other new members coming from? How many new racers are coming from other venues? I have only attended two of your races but I didn't see ANY racers under the age of 40 or so. I would think you would want to attract as much "young blood" as possible. Knowing how much you dislike JR's sure wont help get these kids interested in the SSSSA. Here are answers to some of the points made here.

If you have problems with JR's driving on the return road please see track management. Right from the rulebook, these cars are to be shutoff at the exit gate and towed everywhere! Many tracks allow the kids to drive back------->not good and not legal.

5 is YOUNG but you don't have to start em then! Many 8+ year olds aren't ready BUT some 5-7 year olds are. Parents, peers, and track management should all help with this determination. Many 5 year olds are flat out impressive in go-karts, moto cross, and YES circle track. Jim circle track does have a division, its run at many Nascar sanctioned tracks, called Bandelaros. Basically a go-kart with a fiberglass body. They even have many big events at Nascar home tracks like Charlotte Motor Speedway (short track oval on the front stretch/pit road). They run em at Orlando Jim.

You mentioned "problem" JR racers or parents......you aren't aware of any "problem" racers in big cars (or as you like to call em, "REAL")?????

Your buddy broke a spindle running over a JR starter, thank God it wasn't a kid!

I'm not aware of how Div 7 does it but the LODRS was mentioned. As far as I am aware NONE of the Eastern divisions have EVER run JR's as part of the LODRS program.

IHRA does run JR's in many divisions and that is a big ingredient for their success. Promoting a family atmosphere where mom/dad can race ALONG with the kids and that brings more spectator/crew pass sales cause its a "family" event. Mom, dad, siblings, friends, etc.

Down here there are many kids who graduated from JR's and are doing EXTREMELY well in big cars. Bradley Snowball, Marie Muller, Nick Ianelli, Dan Young, etc, etc. THIS IS WHERE THE NEXT GENERATION IS COMING FROM!! I suggest many of you lighten up about the JR program!!!:);):)

Re: Just What We Need!
 

I think the "problem" with Jrs. isn't the kids, it's the parents. After all, it's the parents responsibility to keep an eye on their kids and guide them right. I've seen far too many Jr. drivers going crazy in golf carts, mopeds, etc. at the track when their not even supposed to be driving them but their parents let them anyway. I've seen more than a few kids that think they're the next Courtney Force or Tony Schumacher, but again it was because of the parents that haul him all over the country in a luxury RV to go Jr. Dragster racing.

Re: Just What We Need!
 

There's "NOTHING" wrong with the Jr. Dragster Program. The problems I've seen and experienced are with the parents, their lack of common sense, lack of respect, and in many cases just plain stupidity!...( example : pits set up on paved return roads.) I would die if I ever hurt one of these kids. It's only gonna take ONE TIME for one of these Kids to get Killed or hurt in the pits (God forbid) and it will have an adverse effect on the costs and the future for everyone of us. It just flat PI$$ES me off !!! ... BE proactive, why does something have to happen! .. We could learn from the years of successful Go-Kart programs.... AND... I've yet to see a Kart Race run in conjunction with a Nationwide or Sprint Cup Race. There's a time and place for everything. And Jrs. need there own venue, and it's not at races with full size cars.

Re: Just What We Need!
 

"And Jrs. need there own venue, and it's not at races with full size cars."

Deal killer right there. With very few exceptions there isn't enough revenue to support a JR only event at most tracks, AND those parents with kids in JR's will now be at another race rather than supporting a big car event. How many big car racers can we stand to lose?? I would say at least 80% of JR racers are from racing families.

PS: I agree about pitting on a return road. Seen MANY big car guys do it too. Did any of you ever mention it to a track official????

Re: Just What We Need!
 

Please keep in mind that many of the people you are calling "stupid" are your fellow racers since almost all JR racers are kids of racers. Here's a short list of some of the best Northeast racers that came up through the ranks of JR Dragsters......

Joe Santangelo
Don & Bill Pires
Heather Robelotto
Tyler Filipone
Tom Boucher
Angela Ray

I certainly wouldn't call ANY of their parents stupid. We have run Super Stock in Div 1 for many years and these are some of the smartest, kindest and respectful people we know.