Just What We Need! - Page 2

Patrick Kelliher · 05-31-2014, 05:54 PM

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.

troublemaker427 · 05-31-2014, 06:06 PM

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.

Jim Wahl · 05-31-2014, 06:25 PM

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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AC · 05-31-2014, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Wahl

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.

69Cobra · 05-31-2014, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick Kelliher

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).

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!

Painter · 05-31-2014, 08:05 PM

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.

Tom P · 05-31-2014, 08:52 PM

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?

Jim Wahl · 05-31-2014, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Painter

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.

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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joe cool · 05-31-2014, 09:10 PM

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.

Painter · 05-31-2014, 09:15 PM

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.

05-31-2014, 05:54 PM	#11
Patrick Kelliher Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 124 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Just What We Need! 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.

05-31-2014, 06:06 PM	#12
troublemaker427 Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Hampstead, MD. Posts: 422 Likes: 282 Liked 64 Times in 23 Posts	Re: Just What We Need! 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. __________________ Jody Aberts Troublemaker2 1966 Fairlane 427

05-31-2014, 06:25 PM	#13
Jim Wahl Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Central Florida Posts: 5,844 Likes: 666 Liked 683 Times in 129 Posts	Re: Just What We Need! 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 . __________________ Jim Wahl....NHRA #2239 S/SS - IHRA # 8 Stock, D2 Stock Champion (forever I guess) 2019 Baby Gators Stock Champion 2009 NHRA D2 National Open Stock Champion 1982 NHRA D2 West Palm Beach LDRS SS Runner Up Past President, Southern Stock / Super Stock Association.

05-31-2014, 08:05 PM	#16
Painter Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 227 Likes: 4 Liked 162 Times in 45 Posts	Re: Just What We Need! 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.

05-31-2014, 08:52 PM	#17
Tom P Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 707 Likes: 30 Liked 239 Times in 94 Posts	Re: Just What We Need! 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?

05-31-2014, 09:10 PM	#19
joe cool Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: southwest iowa Posts: 53 Likes: 3 Liked 5 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Just What We Need! 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.

05-31-2014, 09:15 PM	#20
Painter Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 227 Likes: 4 Liked 162 Times in 45 Posts	Re: Just What We Need! 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.