[Jrp4554]

Alright. I'm sure I will take my share of tongue lashings on this one but I've just got to ask. Are they ever going to put an age restriction on driving a sprint car? I know USAC's requirement is 16 and that's good but I still keep reading about these 14 and 15 year old kids running them. I mean where do we draw the line? I'm not even 30 years old and I couldn't even get in the pits until I was 16 at most tracks. Is there going to come to a point where a kid races a quarter midget in the afternoon then jumps in a sprinter that night? I hate to say it but it will probably take a 13 or 14 year old kid getting killed in one before they do anything about it. Don't get me wrong, I love that kids are involved in racing but there are mini sprints and other avenues kids could take to get seat time. I guess there are just too many millionaires out there who think their little Johnny is the next Jeff Gordon.

[Ovalmeister]

Originally Posted by Jrp4554 I hate to say it but it will probably take a 13 or 14 year old kid getting killed in one before they do anything about it.

I think you just answered your own question. And it's sad but very true.
I'd be willing to bet the parents of these "children" have never seen a driver killed in a midget or sprint car.
If they did they would never put their child in one. 18 years old minimum for both vehicles.
As you said, there are a number of other avenues to pursue until then. Go-carts, TQ's, mini sprints, etc...
David.

[quicktime3]

Yep. I'd be willing to bet they've seen plenty of sights in racing, good and bad.
Bryan Clauson, who started at 13, is the son of a winning sprint car driver.
Chris Windom, who started at 14, is the son of a winning flat-track motorcycle racer.
Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., who started at 14, is the son of a winning sprint car driver.

Those are just the first three that come to mind who are sons of accomplished drivers and started young.

[OpenwheelRob]

I wouldn't really blame the parents of the kids or USAC, it start's with Nascar. The younger the better it seems (not really sure why) maybe marketability? I guess it looks better if a 19 year old is in a commercial rather some wrinkled 25 year old...

Until thing's change and people stop thinking 23, 24, 25 is 'over the hill' this is what you will have, btw I think we've come close to loosing a few 'young guns' already and it doesn't seem to change the thinking. Thanks for reading, I've got to start looking at retirement homes and getting my final arrangements made...I'll be 35 next month Ha!

[Jerry Spencer]

The ability for a young body (brain) to hold up during a violent crash is what I wonder about.

Just a thought

Jerry #66j

[Ovalmeister]

Originally Posted by quicktime3 Yep. I'd be willing to bet they've seen plenty of sights in racing, good and bad. Bryan Clauson, who started at 13, is the son of a winning sprint car driver. Chris Windom, who started at 14, is the son of a winning flat-track motorcycle racer. Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., who started at 14, is the son of a winning sprint car driver. Those are just the first three that come to mind who are sons of accomplished drivers and started young.

You're right, they probably have seen a lot of good and bad.
They have dodged the bullet so far.
One day it will happen.
Some parents, somewhere, will be standing in horror in front of their childs casket.
It's totally avoidable, that's all I'm saying.
I hope and pray it never does, but if there's one thing I've learned, if something can go wrong it eventually will.
David.

---------- Post added at 05:23 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:21 PM ----------

Originally Posted by OpenwheelRob I wouldn't really blame the parents of the kids or USAC, it start's with Nascar. The younger the better it seems (not really sure why) maybe marketability? I guess it looks better if a 19 year old is in a commercial rather some wrinkled 25 year old...

So true. F1 is another good example. If you don't burst on the scene and impress the world, you're done in a hurry.
David.

[ryoung99]

Originally Posted by Jerry Spencer The ability for a young body (brain) to hold up during a violent crash is what I wonder about. Just a thought Jerry #66j

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

You know Jrp it all starts with the NASCAR fame and fortune until they change the restrictions to 21 and that way the they can't start until these sacationing bodies put restriction's on that you can't race until you have your drivers license

[SUPERDUKE]

Ask anybody over fifty how many times they where run out of the pits when they where under 18! Why do you have to be 16 to drive a car on the highways? And only after passing a test and 21 to drink beer? And rich parents want there kids driving 700 hp plus sprint cars! I think you should be 18 and pass a test after going to a sprint car driving school!

[Jerry Spencer]

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