Just What We Need!

[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.

[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.

[goinbroke2]

Are we talking local or national events?
I remember the first time I saw/heard these frigging things and though awesome idea, but man they're annoying! Now it's years later and my kid runs one. I waited until he was 10. He,s hard core into racing now and even though he could handle something faster, my money has kept him in the low 12's/high 11's even though he is 13.

My car is still in the garage in pieces, has been since the kids came along. But at least this gets me back to the track. Can't convince the wife to buy $$$parts for my car or a trailer etc but in 3 years we went from a tent,to a tent in the back of the pickup, to a small slide in camper and this year I have a converted bus motor home/car hauler. Look silly towing hours away for me and my kid and his junior in a 40 plus foot rig but it's getting me back in.

Unless you're hot lapping, they are run at their own time and shouldn't be in your way anyway. I think it's the parents responsibility to police their child. Would I have let my kid race at 5? Not a chance. Even 10 I was concerned, but towing to the line, he makes his pass then drives back the return road. This year is the first time I never shut him off at the timing shack and towed him back to the pit.

I support new drag racers and leave it to the parents to decide if their kid is ready. Certainly lots of kids running carts at the stock car track about 6 minutes from my house.

[Jeremy1374]

My understanding is no full size race cars should be moving when juniors are running so how do you get "stuck" on the return road behind them?

Personally, FWIW, 5yrs old may be a bit young to put in a car. I disagree at 5 kids are "learning to keep their fingers out of a light socket", my 5 yr is finishing up kindergarten, reads at a 2nd grade level and learning his multiplication tables. Plus some of you could use him to spell check your posts. That being said I coach his baseball team and I barely trust some of his teammates on a baseball diamond let alone a drag strip in a vehicle going 30 - 40 mph.

To me it doesn't seem like the best move on NHRAs part (not that they have a history of making good decisions)

[Daran Summerton]

I love Jr's -- It's the frickin parents NHRA has to control. No parents should be allowed past the water and things would be much better. This is the routine here in Div 2

1. Start engine
2. guide jr into water
3. Pull jr thru water
4. push jr back thru water
5. Do burnout
6. push Jr back
7. Do dry hop
8. Push jr back
9. Turn the screws for 30 secs on carb
10. Guide jr to beams
11. point to jr and give fist pump
12. Stand in the middle of track the entire pass so jr behind has to wait

That about sums it up -- I probably missed a few


NHRA please DO SOMETHING

[tommy d]

Originally Posted by Daran Summerton

I love Jr's -- It's the frickin parents NHRA has to control. No parents should be allowed past the water and things would be much better. This is the routine here in Div 2

1. Start engine
2. guide jr into water
3. Pull jr thru water
4. push jr back thru water
5. Do burnout
6. push Jr back
7. Do dry hop
8. Push jr back
9. Turn the screws for 30 secs on carb
10. Guide jr to beams
11. point to jr and give fist pump
12. Stand in the middle of track the entire pass so jr behind has to wait

That about sums it up -- I probably missed a few


NHRA please DO SOMETHING

If you have a child or grandchild involved you like it. If not, most hate it. My son raced them in 1992 when they first arrived. I had quit racing but when they came out I got pulled back in. My granddaughter races them now so I like them again. My son is 35 now and STILL races and is a race promoter. The jr system works and NHRA got it right on that program. My opinion is 5yr old is awful young though. Darren, you forgot about the step where the parent removes the Velcro slick covers before the burn-out.

[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 !

[John Leichtamer Jr]

Somebody said something about Erica Enders being a shinning example for JR Dragster. She is a shinning example for a Dad with alot of Money. She never would have got their on her own ability.I don't think people where knocking her door down to drive for them..

Class Nationals was a good example of a former Jr. Dragster Driver.. He put his S/S on its lid. That situation came from Jr. Dragster experience,

Hammer

[RJ Sledge]

Spent last two days at the IHRA San Antonio divisional. my partner was driving our car I was just trying to help out. There must have been at least 16 Jr's there, and I actually timed there run procedure. On average it took 2:35 to run a pair. That was from the ready line, firing it up, adjust the carb, checking ever thing until they pulled off the track. I timed SS and S and it took on average of 39 seconds from the ready line, burnout, stage, to turning off the track.

Jr's are great and I love to see kids and parents together and having a good time. I just don't think they belong at a Divisional or National Event. Let them have their own Events just for them and you eliminate all the problems with wait time and traffic issues.

They could have used the time to maybe prep the track for the S/SS racers. Starting line was almost non-existent last two rounds. But....the Jr's hooked up!!

RJ

[Rose Racing]

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