Just What We Need!

[Jim Wahl]

Originally Posted by Kegracing

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

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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[Bill Bogues]

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.

[REITER RACING 3]

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!

[REITER RACING 3]

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!

[Joseph Teuton]

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

[Clint]

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.

[283nova]

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

[Gary Smith]

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.

[X-TECH MAN]

Originally Posted by Gary Smith

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.

X,s THOUSANDS on this !

[aspen7709]

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.