Junior Karts at THSCC Autocrosses?

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Mon May 21, 2012 10:03 am

Are Junior Karts allowed to run THSCC events? Al Seim of Race-Technology would like to know.

I know Triad allows them. VMSC does not which is a shame since Al lives in Richmond. I assume NCR region does given that SCCA National does.

Thanks!

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Mon May 21, 2012 10:21 am

DickRasmussen wrote:

Are Junior Karts allowed to run THSCC events? Al Seim of Race-Technology would like to know.

I know Triad allows them. VMSC does not which is a shame since Al lives in Richmond. I assume NCR region does given that SCCA National does.

Thanks!

Our insurance is the guide here. All drivers MUST be LICENSED to participate in our autox. I'm assuming the junior carts means under aged or non licensed drivers which unfortunately we can't allow.

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Mon May 21, 2012 11:42 am

Thanks Rodney.

Gwen Habenicht · **Posted:** Mon May 21, 2012 11:50 am

RodneyWright wrote:

DickRasmussen wrote:

Are Junior Karts allowed to run THSCC events? Al Seim of Race-Technology would like to know.

I know Triad allows them. VMSC does not which is a shame since Al lives in Richmond. I assume NCR region does given that SCCA National does.

Thanks!

Our insurance is the guide here. All drivers MUST be LICENSED to participate in our autox. I'm assuming the junior carts means under aged or non licensed drivers which unfortunately we can't allow.

Believe me, while I'm NOT a fan of managing to always have a work assignment that includes chasing cones for Junior karters, seeing young kids getting into this sport makes it worthwhile. And, remember, most parents of karters are drivers too. We actually have a number of members who's kids will be reaching the karting age soon enough.

Rodney, I'm wondering it since minors don't actually sign a regular waver, but must be signed in by a parent, and at most places I go, parents must actually sign a minor waver, if there isn't some "loop hole" since the parent is actually the "licensed driver" in this situation.

Just thought it might be worth a second look. (Plus getting the Minor Waver forms.)

Jason Mauldin · **Posted:** Mon May 21, 2012 2:07 pm

Triad uses the same insurance we do.

Let's just be honest and say that we don't want to be bothered with running junior karts. It's a perfectly acceptable answer, and doesn't make us look bad when compared to the club next door who figured out how to do it.

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Mon May 21, 2012 2:20 pm

Jason Mauldin wrote:

Triad uses the same insurance we do.

Let's just be honest and say that we don't want to be bothered with running junior karts.

Not trying to blow smoke.... I was just always told the drivers needed to be licensed drivers. Will ask Bowie....

Jason Mauldin · **Posted:** Mon May 21, 2012 2:53 pm

I think you asked Bowie this about a year ago when I asked the same question. I doubt his understanding of the insurance will have changed in that timeframe.

From my understanding, Triad had to do a bit of legwork to make this happen. It's not as simple as getting approval from the insurance company. Someone has to become a safety steward that is in control of making sure the little guys are safe.

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

I'll be the bad guy if nobody else will. I don't want to be bothered with Junior Karts, and I don't really like the idea from a safety perspective either (although its mainly the annoyance factor to be perfectly honest).

When the kid is old enough to drive, bring them out and teach them on a real car (or on a kart if you prefer, since we sort of, unofficially allow those now). Part of the idea of requiring them to be a licensed driver is a level of maturity and understanding of what is safe and what is not. Granted, most of the time I've seen junior karts running, they are going slower than Andrew's Mazda2, but the possibility of a safety incident is real. I don't really understand why running a kart should allow them to run younger. Why wouldn't we let 14 year olds run in miatas at that point too? Is the argument really "they would cause less damage in a kart"? I know the answer is "because the SCCA does", but we've already proven that that argument doesn't hold water with our club.

Has triad had any other junior carts run other than just the two that run there? Those are the son and daughter of long time and well known club members for them, its worth asking if they would actually let someone show up that they have never met before and let their kid run a junior kart. I would guess the answer might be different.

Jason Mauldin · **Posted:** Mon May 21, 2012 3:11 pm

That's a perfectly fine answer, especially when events are filled up and you're not having trouble finding people to pay the bills.

Triad is close enough that when we get our son a kart, we'll just go to their events. I've already confirmed with them, that they will let us run.

Comparing a 20-30mph kart to a Miata is ridiculous, IMO.

Andrew Jonell · **Joined:** Mon Mar 23, 2009 6:43 pm **Posts:** 1350

Can a junior kart lift a rear wheel?

I rest my case.

Stephen Westerfield · **Posted:** Mon May 21, 2012 4:59 pm

I think it would be cool to see kids out there enjoying our events with their parents, and I say that because I see friends disappear from motorsports with the arrival of kids and it would be nice to offer a way around that. While they don't pop out of the womb ready to drive (well, maybe Kevin Allen's kid would), little children coming to spectate might take more interest if they knew they could participate sooner. I totally understand the safety concern, but the earlier they learn to be aware of safety, the better. Anything we can do as a club to promote that, we should do. With that said, I have 2 further comments.....

1. Brice, was your first bike a full size 10 speed? If not, how come?

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

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

I'll be the first to admit that I don't necessarily have a really VALID safety argument, but anyone who knows me knows kids annoy the ever living crap out of me, so if you want junior karts at autocross, vote me OUT as autocross VP

.

JamesMilko · **Posted:** Mon May 21, 2012 5:09 pm

Do Jr Karters shag cones? (I honestly have no idea what age brackets we're talking about here)

Stephen Westerfield · **Posted:** Mon May 21, 2012 5:09 pm

BriceJohnson wrote:

I'll be the first to admit that I don't necessarily have a really VALID safety argument, but anyone who knows me knows kids annoy the ever living crap out of me, so if you want junior karts at autocross, vote me OUT as autocross VP

.

Oh, I understand, kids aren't for everyone, and I'm in that boat with you. They generally don't annoy me though as long as they've been brought up with some kind of discipline and it's alarming how often that isn't the case. But remember, we actually do offer a family membership suggesting we might actually provide family type activities.

Michael Westerfield · **Posted:** Mon May 21, 2012 5:15 pm

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

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