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!!!
