Junior (kid) drivers

[trikesrule]

Guys have a bit of a problem over here in the Speedway (circle track) with youngsters who drive in the 'Junior Class'. This class was designed to be an entry level class and it's got out of hand. With the parents pushing (encouraging) the kids to go quicker these cars are within similar lap times to any of the sedan divisions. Whats frightening is the fact that these cars have got to these incredible speeds with very little chassis mods and not much of a roll cage to protect the drivers. It came to a head last night with one of the cars rolling five times with the 13y/o driver being carted off to hospital unconscious. This car and the other (both 80 Corollas) that was involved also needs a new shell. So I think that the cars need to be slowed some how. Perhaps a restrictor plate? But I don't know that that would stop the parents with money. What are your thoughts. Something else I just thought of is the kids with parents who are actively racing have never been over. The've had a couple of bingles but thats it. Food for thought....trikes

[The STIG]

And I thought Saxmax was bad!

[Biff]

Restrictor plates will learn them drafting and will slow them down, but as you say policing could be an issue.

It might be easier to put the weight up by 100kgs.

This would allow a much bigger cage to be installed to aid safety, and they might then be able to look at where they put the rest of the weight depending on driver technique to help turn in or whatever. Could be a useful way of the kids learning how weight distribution can improve or hinder a cars handling depending on where you put it.

Its also easy to police, it doesn't really matter how much money you have. A minimum weight limit is just that. Run the top ten cars over a set of scales at the end of the race, if you're under you're out.

[trikesrule]

Ballast . Hmmm Not a bad idea. I'll talk to the boys (parents) and see what they reckon. Saxmax - what is that?........trikes

[Mark Mitchell]

Originally Posted by trikesrule

Saxmax - what is that?........trikes

14-17 year old idiots trying to be like BTCC idiots!

[The STIG]

Originally Posted by trikesrule

Ballast . Hmmm Not a bad idea. I'll talk to the boys (parents) and see what they reckon. Saxmax - what is that?........trikes

After one or two races, yes.

the fourth wheel now in the tyre wall or somewhere other than the car.

[JohnD]

narrower wheels.
No point in massive power then, as it won't go down and they won't turn into corners if they do.
John

[trikesrule]

That seems (saxmax) to be a common problem down under also. But a kids steering committee was never set-up here. Which I thought was a good idea. You know a committee that brings in specialists to teach a whole range of goodies ranging from basic car set-up to how to change a what ever to interviewing techniques race craft and the list goes on. But I was mistaken these kids are led by their mostly blind (no foresight) parents. It's no wonder there is so many cars having to be reshelled every week. These kids (except for one or two) are left to their own devices on the track. Rest assured there will be more a lot more carnage.........trikes

[Sheila M]

Originally Posted by trikesrule

Ballast . Hmmm Not a bad idea. I'll talk to the boys (parents) and see what they reckon. Saxmax - what is that?........trikes

Saxmax is a series designed for drivers 14-17 years old http://www.saxmax.co.uk/

In theory a great idea. In practice ... not so good as some of these kids have never raced before. They get behind a wheel and immediately have delusions of grandeur. Some of them seem to think they are immortal, judging by their appallng driving.

However, having said that, some of them are showing promise and a couple (at least to my knowledge) have spent a day marshalling which in my book can only be a good thing.

[trikesrule]

Have to run standard width rims but std width alloys are allowed. Thats another good idea getting the kids to do some marshalling..........trikes

[Abbie44]

The driving standards in saxmax is no different to that of any stock hatch, in fact its actually better. Most of the incidents caused in saxmax are by drivers who THINK they should be winning, and will do anything they can to get to the front. There are about 5 people in saxmax who are like that, and next year they will be moving out. So we shall see what next year brings.

[chezza]

I haven't seen the standards in saxmax this season (will be at silverstone in Aug) but I hope to god they are nothing like the standards I have seen elsewhere this season. I have seen several situations where drivers licences should be ripped up...unfortunatley they got away with a couple of points...or nothing at all.

[belter]

But didnt one of these saxmax drivers go on to race in the seat cupras thought he must be good going from 1 year in saxmax straight to cupras and think he is not doing to bad either

[Abbie44]

Originally Posted by belter

But didnt one of these saxmax drivers go on to race in the seat cupras thought he must be good going from 1 year in saxmax straight to cupras and think he is not doing to bad either

Yeah Liam Mcmillan has, so it proves that it isnt bad driving standards from everyone. It just gets blamed generally on everyone when its mostly a few people

[OJ48]

To be honest there are probably 5 idiots in every championship, not just ones with kids driving. Perhaps the only difference is that those idiots have been driving long enough to be able to rescue the car when it goes pear shaped, or to predict whats going to happen (as an experienced, competent road driver can)

[nickyf1]

well, me being a 'kid' I hate all this appauling driving, especially when you go for a quick ten minuete arrive and drive at the Scotkart and you get all these guys who think its a race and the also think its dogems. I just want to shout at them when they acctuallly try to drive me into the walls and especially when the get out of their karts and there is there dad saying, 'well done son, you were a winner!' [rant/]