What's Up With The Min Age For Nhra????

FlyingW · 11-16-2007, 07:17 AM

The 18 year old min age for entry to the National event's is about stupid. NHRA was created for YOUNG racers to get off the streets and on the track. and in this day and age as hard as we are fighting to get kids on the track and off the streets NHRA is going to say if your not 18 you cant play with us at national events of which some of these kids have watched,went to and/or raced in,is stupid. our sport needs the young kids in the sport to bring them off the steets and bring in new sponsors. We all know there are products that want younger drivers for their product. If you have the grading points to enter then you know the prodcedures of a drag race so who cares if your 16 or 76? This rules just hurts NHRA pushing young drivers to IHRA. WAKE UP NHRA look at the future not at what ever it is your looking at. There are some great young drivers who have already won divisonal races at 16 or 17. Let them race thats what we are all about and everyone wants to race at INDY ,Gainsville or wich every national event that you first went to.and sponsors want the Natioanl events more than divisonal events, young drivers I am on your side hope to race against you soon at the National level.

Jeremy Waibel
Driver of the Lakeland Motorsports Park '69 Camaro
NHRA 2231

Dave Goob Cook · 11-16-2007, 08:50 AM

This must be a part of the NHRA Pro Racing thing......

Remember that the National Events are now run by an investment group, not the "not for profit" NHRA anymore.

I'd imagine that as time goes on, you'll see a LOT of difference between the Divisional and National races.....

It's a shame though.

Chad Rhodes · 11-16-2007, 09:12 AM

you can thank US tobacco. If they would quit sponsoring Top Fuel/Funny Cars it would go away.

Andys dad · 11-16-2007, 09:37 AM

I found out officially -

Andy who has beend driving since he was 8 and been the junior champ

Won Fontana divisional this year

Just competed at the November Pomona National meet

Has competed at atleast a half a dozen other National meets (semis in Seattle)

Ended up 4th in the division

CAN NOT enter the up coming Pomona meet or Phoenix national either

He will not be 18 until March 7th

No provision for "grandfathering in" or exception or wavier (so far)

Since he is in the hunt for the Jegs AllStar points - would be nice to be able to at least run Phoenix, the week before the divisional - like the rest of his competitors

Also these are the two closest races to our home

Guess in the long run it will save money

This may only be a problem for us so - excuse the venting

I have spoken to countless people and they can not believ this (even NHRA officials)

It is part of some tabaco settlement for the PROs

Bunkster · 11-16-2007, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chad Rhodes

you can thank US tobacco. If they would quit sponsoring Top Fuel/Funny Cars it would go away.

Actually, I think I will.

To Winston and all the others, thank you. Thank you for supporting drag racing and other forms of motor sports. In some of the darkest days over the decades, when many thought racing would die off, you were there spending millions keeping all of this quite unnecessary activity afloat.

Today you are scorned. Many think you are vile and kill people. The truth is, all you ever did was furnish a product that free people wanted. Too many forget, this country, at one time, smoked like a freight train. And they smoked because they wanted to, not because you forced them to.

So thank you Winston and US Tobacco, for all of the support over the years.

Dave Goob Cook · 11-16-2007, 10:45 AM

Hear, hear!!!!

Thanks!

Pat Joffrion · 11-16-2007, 11:07 AM

One word says it all ... LIABILITY

Lawyers are finding ways to collect money from track operators (and their inurers) for MINORS that are injured at drag racing venues. While there is a minor release form for BOTH parents to sign, juries continue to award damages.

In a particular case 10 years ago involving a motocross accident, the track was found "liable" for allowing a 12-year old to compete with 13-year old riders. Even though both parents signed a waiver form, the jury awarded the family millions in damages, which permantly closed the facility.

In order to promote safe off-road racing in Louisiana, the state legislature passed what is commonly known as "The Rodeo Law". Simply stated, if you get on the bull and he throws you off, breaking your leg, by law, you cannot sue the owner of the bull, the event promoter, or the landowner on whose dirt you landed upon. The Rodeo Law was expanded several years ago to include all types of "off-road" activities, including drag racing.

While we have not seen a decrease in our racing insurance premiums, we have had several lawsuits dismissed before trial due to the law. This law does not pertain to spectators, unless they enter a "restricted" area. In actuallity, there is no need to sign a waiver form in Louisiana, but our insurer and NHRA still require it.

Can you believe, Louisiana got something right? BTW, if anyone would like a copy of the law, it can be found at

http://www.legis.state.la.us/lss/lss.asp?doc=181348

I honestly believe that if this type of legislation was passed in all 50 states, there would not be an 18-year minimum age, and this topic would not be an issue.

Pat 4308 SS/KA

Looking for 8 seconds on the bull... and on the drag strip.
Do bull riders need to change their grab strap every 2 years?
An F-16 fighter jet seat belt is good for 10 years.
Ever wonder why we have to change ours every two years in a racecar?
Help save the racers a few bucks... Go to 4 years on the belts.

G Schenck · 11-16-2007, 11:16 AM

NHRA made this statement early this year saying it is effective Jan. 1 , 2008. It is supposely part of the tobacco settlement agreement of 1998. I glanced over it but believe it should be looked at by a Philadelphia lawyer. It does say no one under the age of 18 to participate in a tobaaco sponsored event.
#1 no events are sponsored by tobacco anymore.
#2 what is the difference in a driver or a 17 year old helping his dad on the starting line. Is he not a participant with credentials? Let's not go there.
#3 Isn't Skoal the only tobacco related sponsor on tour? ( no more free samples )
#4 NHRA needs to look into this further.
#5 Mississippi,Texas,Florida and I think Michigan were not part of this settlement. They settled their own deal so maybe Andy can come over to the Gators and Dallas to race?
#6 nascar and pro rodeo rules have been for a while 18 or older.

Greg

11-16-2007, 11:07 AM	#7
Pat Joffrion Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Bayou Country, Louisiana Posts: 163 Likes: 0 Liked 6 Times in 2 Posts	Re: What's Up With The Min Age For Nhra???? One word says it all ... LIABILITY Lawyers are finding ways to collect money from track operators (and their inurers) for MINORS that are injured at drag racing venues. While there is a minor release form for BOTH parents to sign, juries continue to award damages. In a particular case 10 years ago involving a motocross accident, the track was found "liable" for allowing a 12-year old to compete with 13-year old riders. Even though both parents signed a waiver form, the jury awarded the family millions in damages, which permantly closed the facility. In order to promote safe off-road racing in Louisiana, the state legislature passed what is commonly known as "The Rodeo Law". Simply stated, if you get on the bull and he throws you off, breaking your leg, by law, you cannot sue the owner of the bull, the event promoter, or the landowner on whose dirt you landed upon. The Rodeo Law was expanded several years ago to include all types of "off-road" activities, including drag racing. While we have not seen a decrease in our racing insurance premiums, we have had several lawsuits dismissed before trial due to the law. This law does not pertain to spectators, unless they enter a "restricted" area. In actuallity, there is no need to sign a waiver form in Louisiana, but our insurer and NHRA still require it. Can you believe, Louisiana got something right? BTW, if anyone would like a copy of the law, it can be found at http://www.legis.state.la.us/lss/lss.asp?doc=181348 I honestly believe that if this type of legislation was passed in all 50 states, there would not be an 18-year minimum age, and this topic would not be an issue. Pat 4308 SS/KA Looking for 8 seconds on the bull... and on the drag strip. Do bull riders need to change their grab strap every 2 years? An F-16 fighter jet seat belt is good for 10 years. Ever wonder why we have to change ours every two years in a racecar? Help save the racers a few bucks... Go to 4 years on the belts.

11-16-2007, 11:16 AM	#8
G Schenck Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Harahan, La. Posts: 521 Likes: 41 Liked 81 Times in 35 Posts	Re: What's Up With The Min Age For Nhra???? NHRA made this statement early this year saying it is effective Jan. 1 , 2008. It is supposely part of the tobacco settlement agreement of 1998. I glanced over it but believe it should be looked at by a Philadelphia lawyer. It does say no one under the age of 18 to participate in a tobaaco sponsored event. #1 no events are sponsored by tobacco anymore. #2 what is the difference in a driver or a 17 year old helping his dad on the starting line. Is he not a participant with credentials? Let's not go there. #3 Isn't Skoal the only tobacco related sponsor on tour? ( no more free samples ) #4 NHRA needs to look into this further. #5 Mississippi,Texas,Florida and I think Michigan were not part of this settlement. They settled their own deal so maybe Andy can come over to the Gators and Dallas to race? #6 nascar and pro rodeo rules have been for a while 18 or older. Greg

11-16-2007, 07:17 AM	#1
FlyingW Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Frostproof, Fl. Posts: 450 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	What's Up With The Min Age For Nhra???? The 18 year old min age for entry to the National event's is about stupid. NHRA was created for YOUNG racers to get off the streets and on the track. and in this day and age as hard as we are fighting to get kids on the track and off the streets NHRA is going to say if your not 18 you cant play with us at national events of which some of these kids have watched,went to and/or raced in,is stupid. our sport needs the young kids in the sport to bring them off the steets and bring in new sponsors. We all know there are products that want younger drivers for their product. If you have the grading points to enter then you know the prodcedures of a drag race so who cares if your 16 or 76? This rules just hurts NHRA pushing young drivers to IHRA. WAKE UP NHRA look at the future not at what ever it is your looking at. There are some great young drivers who have already won divisonal races at 16 or 17. Let them race thats what we are all about and everyone wants to race at INDY ,Gainsville or wich every national event that you first went to.and sponsors want the Natioanl events more than divisonal events, young drivers I am on your side hope to race against you soon at the National level. Jeremy Waibel Driver of the Lakeland Motorsports Park '69 Camaro NHRA 2231

11-16-2007, 08:50 AM	#2
Dave Goob Cook Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Indy Posts: 422 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: What's Up With The Min Age For Nhra???? This must be a part of the NHRA Pro Racing thing...... Remember that the National Events are now run by an investment group, not the "not for profit" NHRA anymore. I'd imagine that as time goes on, you'll see a LOT of difference between the Divisional and National races..... It's a shame though.

11-16-2007, 09:12 AM	#3
Chad Rhodes VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Where the Green Grass Grows, AL Posts: 2,375 Likes: 0 Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: What's Up With The Min Age For Nhra???? you can thank US tobacco. If they would quit sponsoring Top Fuel/Funny Cars it would go away. __________________ Chad Rhodes 2113 I/SA

11-16-2007, 09:37 AM	#4
Andys dad VIP Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Arcadia, Ca Posts: 1,571 Likes: 48 Liked 175 Times in 78 Posts	Re: What's Up With The Min Age For Nhra???? I found out officially - Andy who has beend driving since he was 8 and been the junior champ Won Fontana divisional this year Just competed at the November Pomona National meet Has competed at atleast a half a dozen other National meets (semis in Seattle) Ended up 4th in the division CAN NOT enter the up coming Pomona meet or Phoenix national either He will not be 18 until March 7th No provision for "grandfathering in" or exception or wavier (so far) Since he is in the hunt for the Jegs AllStar points - would be nice to be able to at least run Phoenix, the week before the divisional - like the rest of his competitors Also these are the two closest races to our home Guess in the long run it will save money This may only be a problem for us so - excuse the venting I have spoken to countless people and they can not believ this (even NHRA officials) It is part of some tabaco settlement for the PROs

11-16-2007, 10:45 AM	#6
Dave Goob Cook Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Indy Posts: 422 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: What's Up With The Min Age For Nhra???? Hear, hear!!!! Thanks!