Junior Karts at THSCC Autocrosses?

Jason Mauldin · **Posted:** Mon May 21, 2012 5:55 pm

Stephen Westerfield wrote:

2. Jason Mauldin for THSCC Junior Kart Safety Steward 2013!

I volunteered to do that previously. I even volunteered to figure out what was required to make it acceptable with the insurance company. Having lost more desire to autocross since that time, I am not sure that I'm committed enough to do it now.

JohnByers · **Posted:** Mon May 21, 2012 6:44 pm

Fwiw, my youngest is interested in Jr. Karts and he is 8. I am looking into getting a kart for him next season and modifying my trailer to take with us to events. Because NCR allows them I absolutely will be running with them simply so we can enjoy this sport together. I do realize that this is a touchy subject with the club, but you can use me as a perfect example of someone who would run elsewhere because of this.....

No offense to anyone in the club, just the way it would be because of the rule and my desire to participate with my kids in this sport....

Jason Mauldin · **Posted:** Mon May 21, 2012 6:52 pm

So that's $150/event? And we're only talking three karts.

jeremy gast · **Posted:** Tue May 22, 2012 8:10 am

If it came down to it with interest and stuff like that. I can prob find some carts for my kids, god knows my daughter wants to drive "frank" now. She will be 15 in December and then my youngest will be 13 in January.

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Tue May 22, 2012 8:13 am

Michael Westerfield wrote:

If we don't allow junior carts, can we stop allowing FSAE carts too?

You mean those things that never seemed to run and ending up causing a delay for the whole event?

Stephen Westerfield · **Posted:** Tue May 22, 2012 8:49 am

Jason Mauldin wrote:

Stephen Westerfield wrote:

2. Jason Mauldin for THSCC Junior Kart Safety Steward 2013!

I volunteered to do that previously. I even volunteered to figure out what was required to make it acceptable with the insurance company. Having lost more desire to autocross since that time, I am not sure that I'm committed enough to do it now.

At the end of the day, if something like this happens, it's going to have to be driven by parents of kids interested in doing this (who else would be motivated?). If you have the time and interest, why not go for it? Sounds like there is interest enough to support it if you can pull all the right strings.

BriceJohnson · **Joined:** Thu Apr 13, 2006 7:33 am **Posts:** 2230

Stephen Westerfield wrote:

At the end of the day, if something like this happens, it's going to have to be driven by parents of kids interested in doing this (who else would be motivated?). If you have the time and interest, why not go for it? Sounds like there is interest enough to support it if you can pull all the right strings.

This. Every free second I have related to THSCC stuff is being spent on site search. If someone is interested in pursuing this, start by calling Bowie, getting our insurance information, calling the company, and probably talk to Anthony Hodges and Chris/Leslie Schmid (spelling?) from Triad.

Richard Casto · **Posted:** Tue May 22, 2012 9:23 am

Just to pile on. I haven't autocrossed for a few years now for a few reasons. Financial being one, but I did also think about the kart option (especially as a way to get my youngest involved) a few years ago when it was much more likely (at that point in time) for me to jump back into the sport. But like mentioned above, this seemed to be a non-starter with the club, so I didn't pursue it any further.

I do think its likely we are missing an opportunity here. It sounds like other clubs can make it work from an organizational and insurance perspective. I get the feeling that we don't do it mostly because "we don't do it".

With that said, I can't say that if we did this, that I would immediately go out and buy a kart for me and/or my son. So I may not be the poster child for doing this. But when I do eventually get back into the sport (and I will), if the club supports karts for minor children, I will strongly consider it. My 2 cents.

Richard

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Tue May 22, 2012 9:58 am

FYI:

L'burg with its size, bumps, etc. isn't really suitable for junior karts and was iffy due to bumps and pavement condition even for F125's and formula cars.

Sanford with the sharp gravel "might" not be suitable for karts if their tires throw gravel like my slicks do.

Danville appears to be OK.

Chris Peterson · **Joined:** Tue Sep 16, 2003 9:02 am **Posts:** 243

By the start of next season, Kelly will be 8 and she has expressed interest in driving. Heck, Eric's been talking about buying a kart since she was in diapers!

I get the whole "kids are annoying" thing. I hate other people's kids! :lol:

Having said that, the kids I've seen running karts have been extremely well behaved, respectful and mature (likely more so than some of the adults!). While there are exceptions, I think parents that make the effort to get a kart for their kids also teach them to respect the kart and the rules of the events. Typically, kids don't shag cones due to safety reason - at least not at the national events, but that doesn't mean we can't put them to work elsewhere! (trash duty??)

I have no animosity towards Tarheel if the club never wants to run karts. You kinda have to WANT to do it to make it work. We'll take Kelly to the Triad events or some other club that does run karts. Doesn't mean we won't run with Tarheel (since we already run with both anyway). I'd certainly pitch in if the club DOES decide to allow karts.

BriceJohnson · **Joined:** Thu Apr 13, 2006 7:33 am **Posts:** 2230

Richard Casto wrote:

I get the feeling that we don't do it mostly because "we don't do it".

We don't do it, b/c nobody has done it, and nobody has put the effort into working out the details. As a volunteer organization, its tough enough to find time to do the things that need to be done to simply maintain status quo, let alone expand the offerings of the club. The "kids are annoying" sentiment is just me (I was trying to fit in my pun of "vote me out as autocross VP"), it is not an "official" stance of the club at all. If someone wants to take this bull by the horns, then by all means go ahead. This conversation reminds me a lot of my first foray onto these forums, when I suggested that "someone" build a work/run group wheel. Suggestions are great, but action is better.

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Tue May 22, 2012 11:09 am

BriceJohnson wrote:

This conversation reminds me a lot of my first foray onto these forums, when I suggested that "someone" build a work/run group wheel. Suggestions are great, but action is better.

Once you have served as an officer, you can really appreciate the other side of the fence. Certain members seem to have lots of those 'suggestions' to add work that will be done by someone other than themselves.

Been there, done that.

Jason Mauldin · **Posted:** Tue May 22, 2012 11:20 am

BriceJohnson wrote:

Richard Casto wrote:

I get the feeling that we don't do it mostly because "we don't do it".

We don't do it, b/c nobody has done it, and nobody has put the effort into working out the details. As a volunteer organization, its tough enough to find time to do the things that need to be done to simply maintain status quo, let alone expand the offerings of the club. The "kids are annoying" sentiment is just me (I was trying to fit in my pun of "vote me out as autocross VP"), it is not an "official" stance of the club at all. If someone wants to take this bull by the horns, then by all means go ahead. This conversation reminds me a lot of my first foray onto these forums, when I suggested that "someone" build a work/run group wheel. Suggestions are great, but action is better.

WHOA back up a bit. When I asked about this previously, I was very clearly told NO. I was not asking in the hopes that someone else would do this, I was prepared to give the time to make it happen. Since I was told no, I purchased a set of other toys for us to do as a family and do not have the budget to purchase karts right now. 2 years from now, I will probably be ready to volunteer again. If anyone wants it to happen before then, they will need to volunteer, assuming we can find a replacement VP. If no one takes it one before then, and I get the bug to buy a kart, I will gladly do it.

Don't pawn this off on not having someone ready to make it happen.

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Tue May 22, 2012 12:53 pm

Ok, settle down..... there’s validity to both sides of the discussion. Let's approach this systematically. Bowie has responded and K&K’s official stance is NO UNLICENSED drivers on course. Period. I have some names to follow up on the insurance side, but I’d like to contact Triad and NCR to find out exactly how they are allowing karts if they too are using K&K as insurance carriers. Anyone want to follow up w/ either club in an official capacity?

BriceJohnson · **Joined:** Thu Apr 13, 2006 7:33 am **Posts:** 2230

Wasn't trying to start anything Jason, I need to use more emoticons. I suppose I should have said "reason we aren't doing it is b/c nobody is doing it". I don't know about the past history, I'm new at this officer thing. And of course, I'm just kidding about "vote someone in as VP" if it happens. I like being a VP, and would support whatever add'l red tape would be required as a GM at an event to run karts, I'm just not going to proactively research it right now.

The official word is still that licensed drivers only based on insurance, but myself or Rodney have the contact info to forward to whoever would like to call them and make the case, or research how Triad does it.

FWIW, when I volunteered to make my worker wheel, I was emphatically told no, so the parallels are even greater than I thought. :deadhorse:

Edit: Rodney beat me to it

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