quote:

Originally posted by Tom Reyer:
Do we open up all these track rentals to ALL 14 year olds then? What about the next great 12-13 year old who's parents can afford to put him/her in a big car? Where do you all draw the line?

quote:

Originally posted by Curly1:

quote:

Originally posted by Tom Reyer:
Do we open up all these track rentals to ALL 14 year olds then? What about the next great 12-13 year old who's parents can afford to put him/her in a big car? Where do you all draw the line?

We draw the line at 16 with State Drivers license ans valid NHRA license.

quote:

Originally posted by Jared
JJ is 13, and I already have his first vehicle. That's all I can stand financially.

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Originally posted by SlyFox:
I'll bet $100 that if the 14-yr-old crashes and gets hurt, the parents will sue track owner, promoter, and sanctioning body for not warning them of the danger and allowing them to race.

Children (and at 14 you're still a child, sorry, but you are) can physically handle a race car (or certainly some can do it) but children don't have any life experience making good decisions. They don't have experience, perspective, or knowledge to properly assess risk and consequences. That's why legally they're minors. They didn't work, earn money, save up, and pay for a race car, and so don't understand how a decision to stand on the brakes at the finish line or stay in the gas when sideways puts OTHERS at risk of losing a substantial financial investment they may have worked and saved for years to be able to afford. A 14-yr-old didn't even pay for their own damn breakfast this morning.

I really can't believe all the excuse-makers and enablers on here. Allowing a 14-yr-old in a Super Pro car is straight-up stupid.

quote:

Originally posted by J178RED:

quote:

Originally posted by Jared
JJ is 13, and I already have his first vehicle. That's all I can stand financially.

Jared when did you give JJ Big Red ???? LOL

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Originally posted by Jared:

I do agree that 'a' 14 year old doesn't typically have the ability and awareness necessary to drive cars at that kind of speed. However, 'this' 14 year old does. That doesn't mean that I think he should be racing, but I do believe there should be a process that allows him to prove he is capable of doing it. Every other form of motorpsorts has it. Why not drag racing? What he is driving is way easier to drive than something running ovals with others banging off of the side of his vehicle.

quote:

Originally posted by CURTIS REED:

quote:

Originally posted by Jared:

I do agree that 'a' 14 year old doesn't typically have the ability and awareness necessary to drive cars at that kind of speed. However, 'this' 14 year old does. That doesn't mean that I think he should be racing, but I do believe there should be a process that allows him to prove he is capable of doing it. Every other form of motorpsorts has it. Why not drag racing? What he is driving is way easier to drive than something running ovals with others banging off of the side of his vehicle.

At what age would you draw the line? Would you be fine with any 14 year old racing in your races?

The point I have made on here is not about this specific kid. I don't know him and don't give a rats rear about him or his family. The point I made that gets overlooked by many coming to this kids defense is the other kids who sign up to race and really aren't ready to do it. How do you put that cat back in the bag?

Jared, I don't mean to be adversarial to you specifically but you are a promoter that can answer and has. It's not about what safety rules you will ignore that put yourself in jeopardy but when a promoter ignores a rule that puts me/ others in jeopardy then that needs to be addressed. That is how I see this discussion.

At least on here this has been pretty civil, unlike Facebook where I saw the dad and others commenting cussing each other about it.

Curtis

quote:

Originally posted by Jared:
I understand the outrage over a 14 year old competing on that stage, in that vehicle. It isn't normal, and by 'most' rules, isn't allowed. However, he was told that he could come race. No one lied or cheated their way into the event. It really is that simple. Why punish someone that was told it was ok to come to the event?

If the _HRA rules were followed at this event, the event wouldn't have been possible. Do we 'just' pick the age rule and condemn those who didn't meet the age requirements? Or do we eliminate everyone that can't pass, for whatever reason?

It was a judgement mistake and it has been corrected. No one needs to be banned, whipped, tarred or feathered. Lessons were learned and life moves on. SFG handled it well, and KC made history. End of story.

quote:

Originally posted by CURTIS REED:

quote:

Originally posted by Jared:
I understand the outrage over a 14 year old competing on that stage, in that vehicle. It isn't normal, and by 'most' rules, isn't allowed. However, he was told that he could come race. No one lied or cheated their way into the event. It really is that simple. Why punish someone that was told it was ok to come to the event?

If the _HRA rules were followed at this event, the event wouldn't have been possible. Do we 'just' pick the age rule and condemn those who didn't meet the age requirements? Or do we eliminate everyone that can't pass, for whatever reason?

It was a judgement mistake and it has been corrected. No one needs to be banned, whipped, tarred or feathered. Lessons were learned and life moves on. SFG handled it well, and KC made history. End of story.

I guess looking at this reply muddied the position somewhat so I asked. No biggie. I just believe 16 is a reasonable age limit. Thanks for the reply.

Curtis

quote:

Originally posted by 541 goat:
Jared are you for real. The reality is politics. That crap of my kid is capable and others are not will come down to politics. Who’s mommy and daddy have deep pockets and no morals. Bottom line is this needs to stop now and the parents should be sued fined or whatever to make an example of.enough nut hugging this kid is so great,bla,bla,bla, not the point

quote:

Originally posted by Jared:
...but I'm not for allowing 14 year old kids to compete at this level, without a process that allows them to prove their ability. I would just like to see a process that gives them the opportunity to show they're capable. If they pass, let them race. If they don't, hold them back until they do.

Reality is, if they are 16 and a valid state driver's license is all they need to go 4.90's in a dragster, that doesn't give me the warm and fuzzy either.

Simply put, I would love to see these younger kids (14 and up) have a chance to get on the track with us, IF they could pass the necessary tests to do so. KC is plenty capable. I think he has proven that. However, he shouldn't be any different than anyone else that age. He needs to go through the proper steps, but he should also get that opportunity.

quote:

Originally posted by BLIND MULE 2217:
I can tell by the replies who is from the south and who isn't without looking at the locations.... what you dont understand is this WAS NOT a sanctioned race.....the HRA's were not involved (you should know this because it was actually a purse worth showing up for)
They had PERMISSION to race.....that means no rules of that race were broken.

Some of you are all wound up over the rules. Chris (Torqin), not bashing you but using your situation as an example. If that track went by hra rules you'd be 100k light right now. And I was pulling for him to get in another car to try and win.

I'd rather race a 14 year old with 4 years in a junior, than a 16 year old who's parents thought itd be cool to live their "speedhood" through their kid that has never driven over 80 down the highway.