Indiana Open Wheel - View Single Post - Are they ever going to put an age restriction on driving a Sprint car?

Jerry Spencer (Offline)
#10 10/27/09 7:05 PM

Originally Posted by ryoung99:
Jerry,

I would argue that a young body/brain is more capable of surviving a violent crash than an older one. The body becomes more fragile over time, not less. I believe that once a child is no longer a toddler, they are actually more flexible and even though they are growing their bone and muscle structure has more strength and flexability for their mass than adults.

BTW, have you ever seen a Mini Sprint crash? I will take my chances with a Midget. Bottom line is no matter what car you put them in, the car is built for the weight of the car, and the crash will be proportionate with the weight of the car. A sprint car wreck with a 225lb driver will be more severe than the same wreck with a 100 lb driver.

If you put a 100 lb driver in a car that is designed for a 250 lb driver, I would argue the 100 lb driver is safer in that car than if you put him in a car designed for a 100 lb driver.

Most of the young drivers today are not jumping into sprint cars, they have countless races in QM's, Outlaw Karts, MiniSprints (both 600's and 1200's). They are well schooled on how to handle the cars and with power steering are able to drive them effectively. From my experience they are much better suited to race these cars than most 20 something's I see hoping into them, with limited prior racing experience.

Unfortunately racing is a dangerous sport, one that takes lives every year. I am not sure we should judge the age of a driver as much as being able to judge their ability prior to them getting on the track. The last time I looked there were many more adults (even as a percentage) dying in racing accidents than teenagers (although I do not have any facts to back this up).

I totally appreciate the question you have asked, I just have a different opinion on young racers.

Best wishes,
Rick

Josh broke his back in a 600 so I do know how wild they can be. As far as a younger body I was thinking more along the lines of the chest cavity and other internal organs, the brain and eyes being knocked out of place due to the violent hits and stops. Crashes are hard on a grown man in good shape but on a body that is still developing can not be a good thing. I know why we made our decision to enter the sprint cars at 17/18 it was our choice and saftey was a concern, body strength was a part of the discussion.

Jerry #66j

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