Just What We Need!

[Jim Wahl]

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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[Chad Rhodes]

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.

[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).

[Andrew Hill]

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

[Winklovic]

Put mufflers on the Juniors, please.

[Jim Wahl]

Originally Posted by Andrew Hill

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

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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[Jim Wahl]

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).

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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[Patrick Kelliher]

Originally Posted by Jim Wahl

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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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.

[Alan Roehrich]

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.

[69Cobra]

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!