I read somewhere a long time ago, maybe in an old Open Wheel, a story on Hewitt. At one point in the article he was quoted as saying something like, "If sprint cars get too safe or too easy to drive, then everybody and their brother will be doing it." And Jack didn't state that with a hopeful eye towards the future, either. He was lamenting the fact that things getting to that point was a real possibility.

I don't agree with everything Hewitt's ever said or done, but he may be in the process of hitting the nail on the head as we speak.

[actracing]

let's face the facts, people with money generally think they can do what they want, any kid at this young age is comeing from a wealthy family, rich people will always spend money with the right people to get there kids any advantage they can get, my son has raced against some kids with no talent but there parents are filthy rich and these same kids will go alot farther than mine.

[micro94]

I do personally like the idea of if they are going to do it start at the back.When I started racing micros I started at the back for my first 5 or 6 races probably.For one I didnt want to get in anyone's way and for two with only 3 or 4 laps for hot laps I wasnt comfortable starting at the front or wherever my draw may have been for that evening.So I just went to the tail till I got comfortable with the car and racing side by side.Problem being your generally not going to make a feature depending on how many cars happen to be there starting at the back in your heat every week.Seat time is valuable.16 should be the youngest in my opinion because Ive seen kids in micros do some stupid stuff because they havent hit anything hard enough to change their outlook yet.And hopefully by the grace of god when they do its not serious.Just an opinion.

[Mark Sr]

My son started racing at age 26. and the first year cost me alot of money.. that is called learning.. I would not put a kid in a full sprint car untill they where 16.. but that's me and my kid's.. witch I know well.. every kid is defrent. I started messing with car's and bike's when I was 10.. but my dad an mom did not have the money.. now My son from day one alway's new that bill's and the family come first.. and now that he is runnning the show feel's the same way.. what I have alway's told my son's is that, (you have already done more then 90% of the pepole in the stand's just by driving around the track.. so be thankful for what you have got and had...) if you know your child and think there ready then that is for you to decide..

And to think the USA was complaining about a 13 year old Chinese girl, gold medal winner in the Olympics. :rolleyes:

[slide22]

16 for Sprint Cars at minimum. Throwing 13 and 14 year olds into Sprint Cars with limited experience is just not smart. Let them wait 2-3 more years learning, developing, and maturing in mini sprints or tq's before they tackle sprint cars.

You can't sign away a minors rights and promoters should look at that when they make their excuses for letting the extra bucks come in the back gate. Other than that, kids all have different levels of maturity. I just wish they knew our cared about how much heart and soul went into the machine that their indifferent attitude just tore up.

[EldoraMark]

Danny

Great article, I placed a simular post a few years ago stating about the young guns. For a long time I thought these kids were to young. Last year after a race at the Burg I had a very good talk with Kevin Briscoe. He changed my mind to a certain point that it's not how old you are but the quality of a racer. Kevin has a very valid point in his post.
Danny I think it's just our age group. We been following this great sport for more than 40 years. Most of the guys were 18 or older when they started to race sprints. (Other than Jeff Gordon) It was not until the last 10 years when we stated to see more kids. Every year we see more and more. Is that a bad thing?
I really don't know how to answer that.

Mark Fritz

[Onlydirt]

Old enough when they arent playing with matchbox cars between races....16-18 would be my answer. I am 31 and these cars scare the hell out of me.

[bodine99]

The age thing will always be a hot topic. My concern is not so much the age but the ability of these small kids bodies to withstand a high speed impact.