OT: Disturbing Houston Area Racing Trend

cmakin · 9/29/10, 10:51 AM

Yeah, another off topic post, but I want to know if I am wrong about something.

Here in the Houston area, some of the Pure Stock drivers are putting passenger seats in their cars so that their kids can ride along during the racing. Not only for packing the track and hot laps, but also for racing. I just have a bad feeling about this. They state that since racing is a family sport, this is the best way to share the experience with their kids. Now, with more and more young teens actually racing these days (and in far more dangerous cars that Pure Stocks), maybe I am off base, but the idea really doesn't sit well with me.

I just wonder what the reaction will be when there is some sort of horrendous accident; and I state when because one is bound to happen. I also know how these cars are built, since parts are falling off of them nearly ever time they hit the track. Yet the track owner where this is going turns a blind eye. . . .

Rpracing1 · 9/29/10, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmakin

Here in the Houston area, some of the Pure Stock drivers are putting passenger seats in their cars so that their kids can ride along during the racing. Not only for packing the track and hot laps, but also for racing. I just have a bad feeling about this. They state that since racing is a family sport, this is the best way to share the experience with their kids. Now, with more and more young teens actually racing these days (and in far more dangerous cars that Pure Stocks), maybe I am off base, but the idea really doesn't sit well with me.
.

***!!!!!!..............Hopefully this is only in Texas!

Wayne Davis · 9/29/10, 12:13 PM

I can see it now, "CHILD KILLED AT LOCAL TRACK" riding in stock car with parent...

...then the parents will sue and another track closes down!!!!!!!!!

racefan20 · 9/29/10, 12:22 PM

Whoever the track is insured by should lay down the law or withdraw coverage. Thats just plain nuts

racerjim2 · 9/29/10, 1:16 PM

You'd probably be surprised at the number of race tracks running WITHOUT any insurance at all now days.

That's why it's a smart move to either run with an insured series or carry your own insurance.

Tracks are getting much too lenient of driver ages and rules. In this day of sue happy people you'd think it would be the opposite.

9/29/10, 7:25 PM

How young are the passengers?

14 year old kids are running full blown ASA Late Models here, whats the big deal if they're riding in the passenger seat of some junker?

terrehautian · 9/29/10, 7:58 PM

If they are wearing a suit, helmet and everything else a driver wears and has a cage and everything the driver has, it might be a way to get new people into racing. I personally have never stepped foot in a sprint car until last Saturday, and it is sorta funny that even though I probably won't be able to drive one anytime soon, it really got me interested in trying it at least once. I had thought I was too big to fit into one....wish I could get a ride in the two seat sprint car.

I could have edited the name to say mine very easily...but don't have photoshop.

racephoto1 · 9/30/10, 12:04 AM

What's the big deal? Fourteen year olds drive sprint cars around here, I don't see any difference.

LocalYokel · 9/30/10, 3:35 AM

To a lot of us this idea seems kinda hokey and unnecessary. However, if the passengers are of age and wearing all of the proper saftey equipment, it doesn't seem like this is anymore dangerous than being behind the wheel. I say let them have a thrill!

apexonephoto · 9/30/10, 7:00 AM

At Ohsweken they charge $100 for 5 laps in the two seater, and usually have two cars on the track. At times it seems they could do this all night long, as the fans can't get enough of it. Obviously it's not a "race" and the passengers are strapped in with a firesuit and a helmet. The track has a large supply of firesuits and helmets just for this reason. All passengers must be 18 years old. I know they are still moving pretty fast and things can happen. There is only two cars at most on the track.

Yet when I think of some beat up car with a kid in it, I don't think it's too safe. I know pure stocks aren't going to fast, and the chance of a high speed, collapse the rollcage type of crash isn't to likely, I still think it's not the greatest idea around. During an actual race with multiple drivers on the track, I have been at too many accident scenes with flips, fires or hard hits and think it is a great diservice to all involved. For the safety crew to get one person out of a car can be hard enough, now trying to remember what cars have two people in them is a little too much to ask. Just my opinion. I don't care how old they are.

9/29/10, 10:51 AM	#1 OT: Disturbing Houston Area Racing Trend
cmakin Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 6,227	Yeah, another off topic post, but I want to know if I am wrong about something. Here in the Houston area, some of the Pure Stock drivers are putting passenger seats in their cars so that their kids can ride along during the racing. Not only for packing the track and hot laps, but also for racing. I just have a bad feeling about this. They state that since racing is a family sport, this is the best way to share the experience with their kids. Now, with more and more young teens actually racing these days (and in far more dangerous cars that Pure Stocks), maybe I am off base, but the idea really doesn't sit well with me. I just wonder what the reaction will be when there is some sort of horrendous accident; and I state when because one is bound to happen. I also know how these cars are built, since parts are falling off of them nearly ever time they hit the track. Yet the track owner where this is going turns a blind eye. . . . __________________ Be sure to visit www.manvelmotorsports.com. 2024 Robert Ballou Calendars are available.

9/29/10, 12:13 PM	#3 Re: OT: Disturbing Houston Area Racing Trend
Wayne Davis Senior Member Race Count This Year: 38 Race Count Last Year: 68 Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 2,050	I can see it now, "CHILD KILLED AT LOCAL TRACK" riding in stock car with parent......then the parents will sue and another track closes down!!!!!!!!! __________________ Southern Outlaw Motorsports Jacksonville, Florida The Original Southern Outlaw www.SouthernOutlawPromotions.com

9/29/10, 12:22 PM	#4 Re: OT: Disturbing Houston Area Racing Trend
racefan20 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 5,230	Whoever the track is insured by should lay down the law or withdraw coverage. Thats just plain nuts __________________ John Hoover “To whom little is not enough, nothing is enough.” Epicurus

9/29/10, 7:58 PM	#7 Re: OT: Disturbing Houston Area Racing Trend
terrehautian Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,519	If they are wearing a suit, helmet and everything else a driver wears and has a cage and everything the driver has, it might be a way to get new people into racing. I personally have never stepped foot in a sprint car until last Saturday, and it is sorta funny that even though I probably won't be able to drive one anytime soon, it really got me interested in trying it at least once. I had thought I was too big to fit into one....wish I could get a ride in the two seat sprint car. I could have edited the name to say mine very easily...but don't have photoshop. _________________________________________________ Last edited by terrehautian; 9/29/10 at 8:00 PM.

9/30/10, 7:00 AM	#10 Re: OT: Disturbing Houston Area Racing Trend
apexonephoto Senior Member Race Count This Year: 8 Race Count Last Year: 35 Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 2,075	At Ohsweken they charge $100 for 5 laps in the two seater, and usually have two cars on the track. At times it seems they could do this all night long, as the fans can't get enough of it. Obviously it's not a "race" and the passengers are strapped in with a firesuit and a helmet. The track has a large supply of firesuits and helmets just for this reason. All passengers must be 18 years old. I know they are still moving pretty fast and things can happen. There is only two cars at most on the track. Yet when I think of some beat up car with a kid in it, I don't think it's too safe. I know pure stocks aren't going to fast, and the chance of a high speed, collapse the rollcage type of crash isn't to likely, I still think it's not the greatest idea around. During an actual race with multiple drivers on the track, I have been at too many accident scenes with flips, fires or hard hits and think it is a great diservice to all involved. For the safety crew to get one person out of a car can be hard enough, now trying to remember what cars have two people in them is a little too much to ask. Just my opinion. I don't care how old they are. _________________________________________________ Last edited by apexonephoto; 9/30/10 at 7:27 AM.

9/29/10, 1:16 PM	#5 Re: OT: Disturbing Houston Area Racing Trend
racerjim2 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 488	You'd probably be surprised at the number of race tracks running WITHOUT any insurance at all now days. That's why it's a smart move to either run with an insured series or carry your own insurance. Tracks are getting much too lenient of driver ages and rules. In this day of sue happy people you'd think it would be the opposite.

9/29/10, 7:25 PM	#6 Re: OT: Disturbing Houston Area Racing Trend
USAC Fan Posts: n/a	How young are the passengers? 14 year old kids are running full blown ASA Late Models here, whats the big deal if they're riding in the passenger seat of some junker?

9/30/10, 12:04 AM	#8 Re: OT: Disturbing Houston Area Racing Trend
racephoto1 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 4,253	What's the big deal? Fourteen year olds drive sprint cars around here, I don't see any difference.