As Foyt would say, Most of them couldn't have drivin a 60s 70s sprinter. Their arms woulda fell off.

Not to mention you had to drive with some sortta control on them micky thompsons or you were going nowhere fast.

I responded to a post similiar to this last year if I recall. I feel the same now as then. 16 years old for full midgets, 18 years old for sprints. Midgets and sprints have killed far older and far more experienced champion drivers than the kids running today. (Vogler, Kevin Doty, and on and on). It's gonna happen and we all know it.

Now, it isn't a question of IF they can drive. Sure, most have some degree of talent, as we've witnessed. And then there's the argument of "you can be killed and injured in a go kart too". Yes, that is true. However, in the world of "odds" and "likelyhoods", the odds and likelyhood of a child dying in sprinter are far greater than a go kart.

To me, none of those arguments or debates matter. As I stated earlier last year, here is what matters. These parents who put there children (13-14-15 yrs old) in midgets and sprint cars can justify it up one side and down the other. But when they are standing in front of their coffin, looking down at them, how will they justify that? Think hard about that. Picture that in your mind. Ask yourself, are you sure they can't wait until they are 18? The sport will probably still be there.

Most on this board have witnessed a driver killed in a race car. It is tragic, it is horrible. But they were responsible adults who FULLY understood the risk. I'm not sure a 13-15 year old does. Now with the trend of child drivers getting more popular by the year, it is going to happen eventually. You know it and I know it. And it will be horrifying to watch a 14 year old die.

It's as though most people have their heads buried in the sand just "hoping" it never happens. It will, and the repercussions will be severe. Aside from the obvious tragedy of a child dying, Danny mentioned in his article about lawyers.
My sister is a very successfull lawyer in Boston. At one time she was a staff lawyer for the mayor of Boston. She, as I, grew up in Indiana and was around auto racing her entire childhood. She understands the sport. The good parts and the bad.

We have talked about this subject in the past and her opinions are just scary. She claims the legal fallout of a child dying in a sprint car would reach far and wide. It would absolutely change the sport. The racing community would not have to change the rules, age limits, etc... the non racing public outcry would do it for them.

Personally, I vote we make some changes before any of these highly avoidable situations occur. 16 for a midget, 18 for a sprinter. (maybe 18 for both). At the very least a valid state drivers license before a racing license.
Just my humble opinion and not meaning to offend parents of kid racers. I would just hate to see anyone lose a child, and that is exactly what they are, children.
David.

We have a winner. :respect: :checkered:

Jerry #66
www.joshspencer.com

I agree completely, I mean if we are gonna talk about this where are the threads about the 50 and 60 somehtings that think young kids that start owe them something and may or may not go out of there way to race them a little rougher.
There is always going to be this debate.

But in my opinion as a racer racing these kids, as long as they use there heads and earn respect, for example the Chase Briscoe, Tyler Reddick or a Dylan Burge has every right to be out there. THere is nothing better for the sport than finding people that will be interested and build this sports future,

But in my opinion as a racer racing these kids, as long as they use there heads and earn respect, for example the Chase Briscoe, Tyler Reddick or a Dylan Burge has every right to be out there. THere is nothing better for the sport than finding people that will be interested and build this sports future.....Broc

Sounds good until one of them gets maimed or killed. Then everybody's tune will change, Broc. Also, I'll bet the deed to the ranch that 80% of these kids (and their parents) have little interest in "building" the sport. This is simply the path to "Sprint Cup Stardom" for them.

Excellent post, David. However, after watching the midgets at Lawrenceburg last year, I'm going to say there isn't any difference so, whatever the age is, it should be the same for both.

I been bitin my tongue also. It's a no-win situation, either way. There is a lot of talent out there, but without the resources, they never get any further, some of them realize that, and are happy to be able to do what they can afford. Used to be, some of the better drivers were over the road truck drivers, they had "seat time" dodging the idiots on the highways, they had to stay alert, and make the right decision, for a lot of different situations. I'm not sure the young uns that are well healed, can't be a stick and ball hero, are ready to take on the speed, and horsepower that is available today. But, that goes both ways, some drivers should be owners, or maybe barbers, or something else, they are an accident waiting to happen. It seems to boil down to maybe parents, not being able to say "NO", ya gotta wait, til you have more in your noodle, than just "I want to", I've seen drivers of all ages who could, in a half dozen laps, convince you they were ready, but I've also seen those same drivers make mistakes, that hurt themselves, and others. I know it's tough, to put an age to the rules, and there are lots of ways around it, but my own, honest opinion, I don't think 18 would be out of line, and it's sad to say, but a lot of time, greed enters, and an owner, gets a call, from a parent, with deep pockets, and here we go again, doesn't make any difference how much stuff gets destroyed, it gets paid for, so it continues. Don't think it'll ever stop, but maybe it can be slowed down a bit. Bob

The other thing that will taint young drivers is if they maim or kill someone else in an accident. We all know that when 2 cars get together, someone is going to be blamed for causing it. That could be very detrimental to the young guns , if one of their members is involved in a bad crash.

We all know that no matter how old the drivers, it happens.It is just that if a youngster is involved, it will just add more fuel to the fire.

1) Personally I would like the age to be 17.5 to 18 for a USAC 410 non-wing sprint
car. Let the non-wing 410 sanctions tracks do what they like? I really don't
care?

a) How old do you have to be to enlist into the army?
b) How old you have to be to drive a USAC 410 non-wing sprint car?
c) Personally I would like a block in the system that prevents youngsters
from getting into a 410 sprint car before the age of 17.5 to force them to do
something else with their lives, before being forced or tempted to drive a sprint
car. It's just a precaution and I think a good one. We are just trying to be safe
and we make the rules, don't we? Don't like the rules don't play the game.

2) For a non-wing 360 sprint car I would lower the age to 16.5 to 17 years old.
A steel block non-wing sprint car seems a little safer than a 410 all aluminum
410 non-wing sprint car, don't you think? Thus my thinking on the subject.

3) For a USAC Midget I would make the age limit 16.5 -17 years old.

a) What is the current age to drive a USAC Midget?

b) Hopefully the non-sanctioned organizations for midgets have a reasonable
age limit. Is it 16 years old for most non-USAC midget organizations.

I could live with 16 for a non-sactioned midget organization.

c) I just feel the non-sactioned organizations have less of the big dollar high
speed midgets and sprint cars and the competition may be a little less,
making it easier for a younger driver to get aquainted with a sprint car
or midget and making his debut. Well, that's my thinking anyhow...lol!

Sincerely,

Larry Otani and God bless you all!:moon:

How many people do you know that race that at one time didnt have that aspiration, to get paid to do what you love? But 90% of the people that either do or dont make it will become fans and participate in some facet when they can afford to on there own