Should toddlers be allowed in the pits during racing activity?

ThaBurgFan · 9/8/09, 9:26 PM

I either help on two modifieds or race one every weekend at the Burg and I have a six year old that goes in the pits with me every week. My grandparents also go every week so when I am busy they keep him with them in the trailer. He is not allowed past the end of the car and he goes no where unless he is holding someones hand. I have the best times of my life with my boy in the pits with me at Lawrenceburg and I agree that it is very dangerous. I absolutely agree with Bill that you can do it responsibly.

Dave Rudisell · 9/8/09, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThaBurgFan

I either help on two modifieds or race one every weekend at the Burg and I have a six year old that goes in the pits with me every week. My grandparents also go every week so when I am busy they keep him with them in the trailer. He is not allowed past the end of the car and he goes no where unless he is holding someones hand. I have the best times of my life with my boy in the pits with me at Lawrenceburg and I agree that it is very dangerous. I absolutely agree with Bill that you can do it responsibly.

Thought you'd like this Tim Thomas Photo from last sat.

9/8/09, 10:15 PM

holy fishpaste, now you want to take away my cheap labor. (I am kidding). My son goes with me quite a bit. I have people help keep an eye on him and he is in training to work on the cars. If he wants to race them he has to learn to work on them. There are strict rules of conduct in the pits and if he breaks them he doesn't go with dad anymore. I worry for his safety all the time. Any parent who says they don't needs to wake up. But I want him to have the opportunity to meet and hang out with some of the best racers and people this country has to offer. If a child is out of bounds on their behavior then the kid and the parent should be escorted out. However I have been at tracks where people sneak into the pits in trailers and when they were hurt expected to have their injuries covered. I have been at tracks with people so drunk they couldn't put two words together and then they start a fight or threaten other people and the tracks don't care. I have been at tracks where jackleg promoters steal from you by skipping out or shorting your pay and on top of that if you get hurt you find out they never had any kind of insurance. I have had friends die in racing and at work. Life can be very cruel very quickly. As a parent I never want to hear of any child being hurt in any way. But I know it can happen. Ever since Jake has been going to the races he loves being with the crew and when we run the second car with Newman, Ryan and his wife are very nice to him. Jake thinks the world of guys like Ryan, Stewart and a ton of other racers he has had the chance to talk and hang out with. Those are experiences not many kids get to have. Once again part of a parents job is to worry about the well being of their child. I also feel one of my jobs is to share in all of life's joys, sorrows and experiences. Finally if I am running a race like Little 5 were total craziness goes on then Jake can hang out before and after but not during the race.

ThaBurgFan · 9/8/09, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Rudisell

Thought you'd like this Tim Thomas Photo from last sat.

Dave,

Awesome photo and I can't believe I missed it. I had to camp with the rest of the family

Oh well, I guess I can't complain that I get to spend the other 25 or so weekends at the Burg.

Thanks for the photo,

Shane

Josh Kinser · 9/8/09, 11:24 PM

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I Miss Manzy · 9/9/09, 3:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Rudisell

If these kids are not in the pits with thier FAMILIES, they will be up in the grandstands taping down blankets.:2:
just saying.

Absolutely hysterical,Dave! But,it brings up a good point. Whether in the pits,or in the stands,it all comes down to parental supervision. How many times have any of us seen anything like this: Several 5 or 6 yr. olds,in or around the stands, absolutely running amok! Swinging from the handrails,blocking aisles and walkways with their Hot Wheels races,leaping from one seat level to the next,etc. And not one parent saying anything! I'll bet these are the folks that would scream bloody murder(and start a lawsuit)should their child be injured. As far as young children in the pits,I can't go along with it.It's too easy to get hurt,even if you're aware and alert,as I learned from experience.Children are quick,young ones even more so,and it only takes a second of inattention to open the door to a tragedy.

IndyBound · 9/9/09, 9:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e.g.

holy fishpaste, now you want to take away my cheap labor. (I am kidding). My son goes with me quite a bit. I have people help keep an eye on him and he is in training to work on the cars. If he wants to race them he has to learn to work on them. There are strict rules of conduct in the pits and if he breaks them he doesn't go with dad anymore. I worry for his safety all the time. Any parent who says they don't needs to wake up. But I want him to have the opportunity to meet and hang out with some of the best racers and people this country has to offer. If a child is out of bounds on their behavior then the kid and the parent should be escorted out. However I have been at tracks where people sneak into the pits in trailers and when they were hurt expected to have their injuries covered. I have been at tracks with people so drunk they couldn't put two words together and then they start a fight or threaten other people and the tracks don't care. I have been at tracks where jackleg promoters steal from you by skipping out or shorting your pay and on top of that if you get hurt you find out they never had any kind of insurance. I have had friends die in racing and at work. Life can be very cruel very quickly. As a parent I never want to hear of any child being hurt in any way. But I know it can happen. Ever since Jake has been going to the races he loves being with the crew and when we run the second car with Newman, Ryan and his wife are very nice to him. Jake thinks the world of guys like Ryan, Stewart and a ton of other racers he has had the chance to talk and hang out with. Those are experiences not many kids get to have. Once again part of a parents job is to worry about the well being of their child. I also feel one of my jobs is to share in all of life's joys, sorrows and experiences. Finally if I am running a race like Little 5 were total craziness goes on then Jake can hang out before and after but not during the race.

Eric, I am sure Sam and your other crew members do an excellent job watching over Jake while you are strapped in the car. You win my praise for also realizing when it is to crazy or dangerous to have Jake in the pits with you. I had the pleasure of talking with Jake at Oswego, you have raised a very polite young man. Great job, Dad!!! Several times during the evening at Oswego I looked over to see Jake deeply engrossed in a task helping your crew. Jake is also well past his toddler years, I started this thread thinking about the young toddlers I saw in the pits in July that appeared to have very little supervision. My grandson is just a year and a half old an he can be holding on to your hand one second and gone the next. Kids that age are just that fast. Racers do not have their minds on watching for young children in the pits, they are focused on racing.

Safe racing,

Patti

sprinter25 · 9/9/09, 9:52 AM

Most of us IOW'ers understand that YOU supervise your children when they accompany you and your race team into the pits...but the subject that some folks seem to be ignoring is that you cannot totally control the environment while in the pits. Cars and four wheelers run around the pits, and children are known for there proclivity to "dart" or move suddenly. Sprint cars are not really "steerable" on a granular surface like most pit areas. Kid vs.four wheeler? I'd rather not think about it....

The very fact that you're exposing them to the dangers of a pit area just rubs me the wrong way - but since it's your child, it's your call. I hope that nothing untoward happens....I really do.. This sport is dangerous enough already, and I don't think that we need to expose anyone to more risks than necessary...

Preacher Dave · 9/9/09, 10:30 AM

I don't post much, but thought it would be appropriate for this topic. I think it is dangerous no matter when they are allowed in the pits. That being said, I want my children to be able to see what their dad does at the race track. I want them to be able to tell other kids their age what the racing experience is like. When my children are in the pits, they are being watched and they know to watch out for everyone. I have more of a chance loosing my children on the way home from a race track than I do loosing while we are at the track.

Some have said wait till the racing is over, then you have these big haulers trying to get out of the facility. They cannot see any better than the sprint car that is flying in off the track. I think it is worse after the races. Way more people and the teams are in a HURRY UP mode to get out of the pits. Just my opinion, and I know everyone has one. Go ahead and rip me apart.

Dave Thompson
USAC National Midget Chaplain

RacinFool · 9/9/09, 10:38 AM

The situation at Oswego is dangerous as at most tracks. I think common sense is your guide on this one. NO!

9/8/09, 11:24 PM	#35 Re: Should toddlers be allowed in the pits during racing activity?
Josh Kinser Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 74	. _________________________________________________ Last edited by Josh Kinser; 5/5/13 at 5:31 PM.

9/8/09, 10:15 PM	#33 Re: Should toddlers be allowed in the pits during racing activity?
e.g. Posts: n/a	holy fishpaste, now you want to take away my cheap labor. (I am kidding). My son goes with me quite a bit. I have people help keep an eye on him and he is in training to work on the cars. If he wants to race them he has to learn to work on them. There are strict rules of conduct in the pits and if he breaks them he doesn't go with dad anymore. I worry for his safety all the time. Any parent who says they don't needs to wake up. But I want him to have the opportunity to meet and hang out with some of the best racers and people this country has to offer. If a child is out of bounds on their behavior then the kid and the parent should be escorted out. However I have been at tracks where people sneak into the pits in trailers and when they were hurt expected to have their injuries covered. I have been at tracks with people so drunk they couldn't put two words together and then they start a fight or threaten other people and the tracks don't care. I have been at tracks where jackleg promoters steal from you by skipping out or shorting your pay and on top of that if you get hurt you find out they never had any kind of insurance. I have had friends die in racing and at work. Life can be very cruel very quickly. As a parent I never want to hear of any child being hurt in any way. But I know it can happen. Ever since Jake has been going to the races he loves being with the crew and when we run the second car with Newman, Ryan and his wife are very nice to him. Jake thinks the world of guys like Ryan, Stewart and a ton of other racers he has had the chance to talk and hang out with. Those are experiences not many kids get to have. Once again part of a parents job is to worry about the well being of their child. I also feel one of my jobs is to share in all of life's joys, sorrows and experiences. Finally if I am running a race like Little 5 were total craziness goes on then Jake can hang out before and after but not during the race.

9/9/09, 9:52 AM	#38 Re: Should toddlers be allowed in the pits during racing activity?
sprinter25 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 547	Most of us IOW'ers understand that YOU supervise your children when they accompany you and your race team into the pits...but the subject that some folks seem to be ignoring is that you cannot totally control the environment while in the pits. Cars and four wheelers run around the pits, and children are known for there proclivity to "dart" or move suddenly. Sprint cars are not really "steerable" on a granular surface like most pit areas. Kid vs.four wheeler? I'd rather not think about it.... The very fact that you're exposing them to the dangers of a pit area just rubs me the wrong way - but since it's your child, it's your call. I hope that nothing untoward happens....I really do.. This sport is dangerous enough already, and I don't think that we need to expose anyone to more risks than necessary...

9/9/09, 10:30 AM	#39 Re: Should toddlers be allowed in the pits during racing activity?
Preacher Dave Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 11	I don't post much, but thought it would be appropriate for this topic. I think it is dangerous no matter when they are allowed in the pits. That being said, I want my children to be able to see what their dad does at the race track. I want them to be able to tell other kids their age what the racing experience is like. When my children are in the pits, they are being watched and they know to watch out for everyone. I have more of a chance loosing my children on the way home from a race track than I do loosing while we are at the track. Some have said wait till the racing is over, then you have these big haulers trying to get out of the facility. They cannot see any better than the sprint car that is flying in off the track. I think it is worse after the races. Way more people and the teams are in a HURRY UP mode to get out of the pits. Just my opinion, and I know everyone has one. Go ahead and rip me apart. Dave Thompson USAC National Midget Chaplain

9/9/09, 10:38 AM	#40 Re: Should toddlers be allowed in the pits during racing activity?
RacinFool Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 612	The situation at Oswego is dangerous as at most tracks. I think common sense is your guide on this one. NO!