Just What We Need!
 

NHRA lowers the Jr. Dragster drivers age to 5 years old! Yup, FIVE years old! This is just what we need, a bunch of five year olds clogging up the pits and running into each other and other REAL race cars. The Divisional races already look like a nursery school just let out with the Jr. dragster crap spread all over the pits and blocking the return road. Ever notice how they leave the starters for those obnoxious Briggs and Stratton's all over the staging lanes after they run. The pits are dangerous enough without Five year olds thinking they are the next John Force running around without parental supervision. Mark my words guys, somebody is gunna get hurt or killed because of this! Compton must really be hurtin' for beer money! Jim

http://www.nhra.com/story/2014/5/31/minimum-age-reset/


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Re: Just What We Need!
 

A) they don't drive through the pits
B) the 5 yr old part is a driver training, which much needed with kids regardless of age.
C) the 6-7 year old part goes back to what rj dragsters was founded on; slow, stock engines.

I'm also reasonably sure this will lead to more stand alone events, which won't have any affect on full size race cars. We need to keep the attention of the younger generation to sustain drag racing.

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I don't get why so many people whine and cry about Jr. Dragsters. Where do you think a lot of us younger generation drivers got their start? And if you want this class/sport to live on, we need a constant influx of young drivers. I personally am looking forward to getting one for my son when he's old enough (assuming he wants to).

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They start go karts at 5, hopefully this will bring in some new young racers that may have races go karts instead.

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You must never have been blocked from getting back to your pit by a bunch of Jr.'s pitting ON the return road gabbing about how great their hair looks today etc. No adults around, and if they are they are clueless as to the problems their entitled little "Prince" or "Princess" are causing. A good friend broke a front spindle because a Jr.'s starter was left in the staging lanes. I could go on and on but most of you know what I am talking about. Respect is what it's all about. A lot of these kids have no idea what that is. It needs to be taught before driving a dragster! Most parents don't see their children the way others see them. Like the father who couldn't believe his "Prince" and a friend cussed me out after they pushed their dragster out in front of me on the return road. This 10 year old would have made a sailor blush with what he said to me all because I had the nerve to be there! Nope don't talk to me about how "mature" you think your FIVE year old is. To most of them it's just a social outing anyway. Jim



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Put mufflers on the Juniors, please.

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Andrew, what else do they race at those Kart races? Top Fuel? Pro Stock? Comp? Maybe Super Stockers? No? You know, REAL race cars? Nothing personal, I just think this is a really BAD idea and will cause more trouble than it already has.

BTW Somebody let me know when NASCAR lets five year olds drive at one of their events. Jim


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I have dealt with that, but I have seen plenty of "adults" causing the same issues in the pits. I agree that some of these kids act like punks, but I have dealt with plenty of grown-up racers with the same entitled attitude and arrogance. I understand the starter issue, but that is a policing issue with the track, not an issue with letting kids race.

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While some of the kids in Jr. dragsters, and for that matter, their parents, are out of control, (about like a lot of other children and their parents in a lot of sports), it is very unfair to label them all with that same dubious title.

Further, they're no worse than some of the adults.

While few of the kids from Jr. dragsters end up in Stock and Super Stock, they still bring people to the sport.

Sorry Jim, but you're wrong on this one.

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[QUOTE=Alan Roehrich;433316]While some of the kids in Jr. dragsters, and for that matter, their parents, are out of control, (about like a lot of other children and their parents in a lot of sports), it is very unfair to label them all with that same dubious title. Further, they're no worse than some of the adults.While few of the kids from Jr. dragsters end up in Stock and Super Stock, they still bring people to the sport.


Nope Alan you misquoted me. I NEVER "labeled them all". Just the bunch who needed calling out.
I'm not wrong and you just backed me up:
"While some of the kids in Jr. dragsters, and for that matter, their parents, are out of control, (about like a lot of other children and their parents in a lot of sports)" Thanks, Jim


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So Jim, what age is okay to start then. Teenager? No, they are a bunch of teenage punks. Twenties? No, if they can afford a car, then they must have been handed it by their parents and are spoiled brats. Thirties, forties.... The fact is, all age groups have their fair share of idiots. When I drove juniors, I dealt with kids who took racing seriously, and ones who were a hazard. But you know what, I still do when racing adults. By starting young, you at least have a chance to teach the kids the basics of racing and safety before they get into a faster adult car and kill themselves or someone else.

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In my opinion JR. Dragsters should only run at stand alone events. I have no problem with the concept, just the fact that they run at events with full size cars and slow down the program.

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Five years old guys! FIVE years old! What did you learn at five years old that you still remember? Not to stick your finger in the wall socket again? Come on guys, FIVE years old! This will not end well. Mark my words! Jim

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Jim,

At the kart races they race many different classes the same day the kid karts run. here is my son in his kart. I asked NHRA at the time why they wouldnt lower the age to 5 but they said no. At 5 yrs old you would be surprised how smart, quick, and fast some of these kids are in a kart and on dirt bikes. Yes you may get a kid once in a while who needs some time to get it but who cares, its new blood into your sport.

Going straight should not be a problem. Im sure the nhra was losing out to kids going to the WKA to race karts.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3BU-6g-bYw"]AT Testing - YouTube[/ame]

ps no i do not drag race anymore but its funny how things stay the same here, same old guys crying away and complaining.

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I agree Patrick.

I personally wouldn't get involved in jr.'s with a 5 year old and that level of a car. My Oldest turns 10 this year and I'm planning on getting him a jr. for next year as I've elected to avoid the hair pulling of the 12.90 cars.

Jim like it or not this is the future of our sport and my family. It would go along way to support these kids and show them the right way of doing things. Either that or just embrace the suck!

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Jim, what in world set you off. I have not even seen a Jr in so long my grand daughter that we are raising has not even seen one. Points meets, national events, sportsnationals, and national opens that I have been to in the last several years havnt had juniors. Where the heck are you going? I have thought jrs were a good idea since I first heard about them at Indy in the 80's I think. I think you are WAY off target on this.

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I can't help but thinking that Jr Dragsters have been the salvation of the sport. Look how many of them there are and those kids often continue on in racing afterward. Obviously Erica Enders is a shining example of the success.

Without them attendance would have fallen to track-shutting levels in many places by now. I didn't think this way at first but making them a part of the days action gets them involved for the future.
Bringing kids to the track, driving Jr's or not is a good thing. Worked out OK for Mr Force and how many Stock and SS racers kids got involved because they hung around at the tracks?

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Not sure where you have been racing but I went to 10 IHRA and NHRA races every year for the last 4 years and there have been Jr.s at every one of them! Just look at the adds for these races.

You guys are totally missing my point, maybe it's my fault. FIVE year olds guys! FIVE years olds. Jim


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I have a Great grandson who loves anything that has wheels. He turns them upside down and spins the wheels as fast as he can. When he is 5 I will not put him in a car,I just think he doesn't have the judgement required for it. Maybe at 8 or 9 ,I would never forgive myself if he hurt himself or someone else . There is plenty of time at a later age for him to make passes and gain experience. just my opinion.

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Well I have not been to every nhra div two points meet the last couple of years, but I have never seen a Jr at one of these races. I have even looked for somebody that is hauling one around upstairs.The problems you have outlined seem more like track management issues.

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Jim, sounds like you need a beer or three!
As a racer and father, and someone that used to hate hearing the Jr's fire up, and now has a son racing one, I think you are missing the point. With that said, I hope the 5 yr old training is at Jr events only. Maybe even the 6-7 yr olds also...
I agree with you, there are parents out there that do not make their kids behave... not just at the race track. Have you seen these same parents at a tee ball game or soccer game lately? No wonder so many kids are total brats with a entitlement attitude!
We need the kids in racing. Other forms of motorsports, - carts, atv/dirt bikes, etc. all let the little kids race. If we start them off at the drags early, maybe there is hope for the future of the sport we love. Let's just hope the tracks and NHRA manage it with some common sense.

Ken
Stock 412

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You're right Ken, and I have been a Little League President and coach when my boy was playing ball. We used to say at board meeting that if we could just keep the parents out of the park and let the kids play ball everything would go much smoother! Jim

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I have no problem with the jr dragster concept.The sport needs these kids to have future racers. What I do have a problem with is the time it takes to run these little monstrosetys. You can run three pairs of stockers down the track in the time it takes to run one pair of these things down the track. They may not run but an 1/8 mile but they still have to go to the nearest turnoff to get off the track. I don't think they should be run at pts meets or any kind of big race where you have a lot of racing to get done.

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Jim just think, you will have something in common with them, crying about stuff you cant control. deal with it and be happy the nhra is trying to get new blood in the sport. Not sure how many 5 yr olds you have been around but kids are pretty smart these days.

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R.I.P. , Mr. Napp , The Racers friend, and late of ETOWN RP fame.

Your pioneering and visionary plan is still causing controversy...!

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Hey guys, did we forget about enjoying racing, and rooting for our dads or moms in the semis or finals. In this horrible day and age of cell phones and I pods and I pads and I don't know what the heck it is, do you remember being under the car, and pop explaining what it is, and how it works. True racers are not built to order. If its in you, It can't be stopped. Allowing or pushing it at 5 years old ain't right. Enjoy your children and teach them to enjoy your acheivements!

Re: Just What We Need!
 

Hey guys, did we forget about enjoying racing, and rooting for our dads or moms in the semis or finals. In this horrible day and age of cell phones and I pods and I pads and I don't know what the heck it is, do you remember being under the car, and pop explaining what it is, and how it works. True racers are not built to order. If its in you, It can't be stopped. Allowing or pushing it at 5 years old ain't right. Enjoy your children and teach them to enjoy your achievements! Little league asst. coach!

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The youngest person to graduate college is 10 so I think 5 is a great age to start learning a new skill...

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My daughter is 4, turning 5 in July. For what it's worth she can now keep her barbie jeep almost exclusively on the side walk and avoids 95% of trees and parked cars. My 3 year old is only at about 50% avoidance. 5 is pushing it, I know my kids aren't ready, but maybe there are some advanced kids out there.

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or parents who want to get into a pissing contest with the other parents about who has more money.

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I'm siding with Jim on this one, not because he's a friend, but because this isn't truly about the kids. It's about the almighty dollar once again. Because if it were so safe for the kids to be piled up on the return road with their mini diggers, why can't they be on the track helping mom or dad stage their door car (like I used to with my dad). Nope, this is once again about Tom Compton and how he's influenced by money. I'll vouch for Mr Wahl, there is nobody more adamant about drawing new blood into this sport than him, but not during an event when the bigger cars run. If mom/dad are running the program, perhaps let the kids make some time runs or a gambler's deal, but not points during LODRS events. Keep 'em local, and let them run their own deal. God knows, the Jr. program has grown big enough now. I will also keep the "social butterfly" element away from the serious racers too.

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I say keep them on their OWN events. I have been to a few races where the tracks had a JR divisional at the same time. What a mess. These JR teams have rigs that would make Team Force jealous. They also "circle the wagons" to make little compounds in the middle of the pits with NO regard for others. Their way or get out of the way. Its like "cheer moms" with toy cars. The "keep up with the jones'" philosophy and the arrogance of the parents is UNREAL..

Just my .02

Let them play, but let them have their own day til they grow up. And for all of our sakes Teach them respect...for their equipment AND fellow racers.

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Are we talking local or national events?
I remember the first time I saw/heard these frigging things and though awesome idea, but man they're annoying! Now it's years later and my kid runs one. I waited until he was 10. He,s hard core into racing now and even though he could handle something faster, my money has kept him in the low 12's/high 11's even though he is 13.

My car is still in the garage in pieces, has been since the kids came along. But at least this gets me back to the track. Can't convince the wife to buy $$$parts for my car or a trailer etc but in 3 years we went from a tent,to a tent in the back of the pickup, to a small slide in camper and this year I have a converted bus motor home/car hauler. Look silly towing hours away for me and my kid and his junior in a 40 plus foot rig but it's getting me back in.

Unless you're hot lapping, they are run at their own time and shouldn't be in your way anyway. I think it's the parents responsibility to police their child. Would I have let my kid race at 5? Not a chance. Even 10 I was concerned, but towing to the line, he makes his pass then drives back the return road. This year is the first time I never shut him off at the timing shack and towed him back to the pit.

I support new drag racers and leave it to the parents to decide if their kid is ready. Certainly lots of kids running carts at the stock car track about 6 minutes from my house.

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My understanding is no full size race cars should be moving when juniors are running so how do you get "stuck" on the return road behind them?

Personally, FWIW, 5yrs old may be a bit young to put in a car. I disagree at 5 kids are "learning to keep their fingers out of a light socket", my 5 yr is finishing up kindergarten, reads at a 2nd grade level and learning his multiplication tables. Plus some of you could use him to spell check your posts. That being said I coach his baseball team and I barely trust some of his teammates on a baseball diamond let alone a drag strip in a vehicle going 30 - 40 mph.

To me it doesn't seem like the best move on NHRAs part (not that they have a history of making good decisions)

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I love Jr's -- It's the frickin parents NHRA has to control. No parents should be allowed past the water and things would be much better. This is the routine here in Div 2

1. Start engine
2. guide jr into water
3. Pull jr thru water
4. push jr back thru water
5. Do burnout
6. push Jr back
7. Do dry hop
8. Push jr back
9. Turn the screws for 30 secs on carb
10. Guide jr to beams
11. point to jr and give fist pump
12. Stand in the middle of track the entire pass so jr behind has to wait

That about sums it up -- I probably missed a few


NHRA please DO SOMETHING

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If you have a child or grandchild involved you like it. If not, most hate it. My son raced them in 1992 when they first arrived. I had quit racing but when they came out I got pulled back in. My granddaughter races them now so I like them again. My son is 35 now and STILL races and is a race promoter. The jr system works and NHRA got it right on that program. My opinion is 5yr old is awful young though. Darren, you forgot about the step where the parent removes the Velcro slick covers before the burn-out.:p

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X,s THOUSANDS on this !

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Somebody said something about Erica Enders being a shinning example for JR Dragster. She is a shinning example for a Dad with alot of Money. She never would have got their on her own ability.I don't think people where knocking her door down to drive for them..

Class Nationals was a good example of a former Jr. Dragster Driver.. He put his S/S on its lid. That situation came from Jr. Dragster experience,

Hammer

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Spent last two days at the IHRA San Antonio divisional. my partner was driving our car I was just trying to help out. There must have been at least 16 Jr's there, and I actually timed there run procedure. On average it took 2:35 to run a pair. That was from the ready line, firing it up, adjust the carb, checking ever thing until they pulled off the track. I timed SS and S and it took on average of 39 seconds from the ready line, burnout, stage, to turning off the track.

Jr's are great and I love to see kids and parents together and having a good time. I just don't think they belong at a Divisional or National Event. Let them have their own Events just for them and you eliminate all the problems with wait time and traffic issues.

They could have used the time to maybe prep the track for the S/SS racers. Starting line was almost non-existent last two rounds. But....the Jr's hooked up!!

RJ

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