Is 10 Years Old Too Young To Race A Full Size Car With Adults?

[charlie7]

Aside from the obvious things like ability, maturity, experience, etc... Does it not seem a little force full to shove a kid into something at that age?  Like do you really even know if you want to do it at that age?  Seems kinda like they are living vicariously through the kid.

It could rub off the wrong way, if its to hard or to rough, might even scare him away from it all together.  There is so much that can be learned just being at the track with the others watching, etc.  A lot of information could fly over his head in the mass confusion of trying to take it all in.

And mostly...how much experience do you really need??  What is the difference between someone with 10 year experience and and 15 years...or 25 vs 35 etc?  

With that kinda of family experience behind him he has a good advantage...I don't think they need to rush into  it at 10 years old.

Linkback: https://www.canadianracingonline.com/smf/index.php?topic=18881.msg110412#msg110412

[charlie7]

The mini stock class might be the ''bottom class'' but it is NOT the ''beginner class'' anymore.  These cars are WAY faster then what you think they are, and there are tons of deeply experienced, smart racers. Ex thundercar and late model runners.

And there is a lot more money on the line then a few bucks for covering your entry fee.

The championship pays $2,500.00 and races pay between 300 and 500 to win.  Not exactly chump change.  The good guys actually MAKE money in this class, and that is a fact.

Linkback: https://www.canadianracingonline.com/smf/index.php?topic=18881.msg110413#msg110413

[cardriver]

but it is NOT the ''beginner class'' anymore. 

You've stumped me. What is the beginner class then?

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[cardriver]

The good guys actually MAKE money in this class, and that is a fact.

5th place sunset = $90 - $60 back gate driver and 1 crew - $50 gas in the hauler and you have lost money on the night.

The guy who "makes" money in the class already blew money on a car and all the other parts to take a huge loss racing in the year before they "made money". Its a shortsighted dream to make one feel better about how much money they have blown.

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[K-man]

Not trying to be smart here but Treyton will beat a rookie like yourself. I have no problem predicting right now he will easily be ROTY easily in the top 10 likely with at least one feature win and possibly in the top 5 of the points at year end.

I hope this isn't the real reason why you are pushing so hard to convince everyone that you have made the right choice for your son. Count the positive and negative comments in this posting and then decide if you have made the right choice.



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[charlie7]

Well you don't really need a crew in mini, if the car is ready to go when you get to the track all you do is run it in circles for 30 or 40 minutes a night.  $50.00 in gas for the hauler?  Maybe yes if you live a long ways away, valid point.

Personally I don't count all of that stuff in the tally, because if you were not doing that, you would be spending your money on something else, but last time I checked, Golf, Tennis, and Boating didn't give you an envelope full of cash.

And how much do you think is invested in a front running ministock?  Well......some do unfortunately show up with unlimited late model budgets.

If you know what your doing you can double your money on a 2,500-3,000 investment.

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[charlie7]

Your pipe dreaming if you think a 10 year old is going to win features in ministock around these parts and finish in the top 5.  Ben Melenhorst could not even win a feature last year.  People obviously still think ministock is a new class.

Where he is at is for beginners.

There just isn't any reason to start racing full size cars at 10.  Maybe you will beat Tom Walters record on the local level thats about it lol.  If its about trying to make it to Nascar you might as well quit now.  There are literally 1,000s upon 1,000s of teenagers with massive budgets and connection doing the same thing - south of the Mason-Dixon line.  Go to New Smyrna right now...makes things look bleak at best.

There are a lot of talented drivers, but that's not what it takes to make it in big time stock car racing these days.  A massive sponsor in your back pocket, connections/ties, and a good personality and face for a camera are a better bet.



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[northernequipmentsolution]

I understand you have forgot more then most racers will ever know, but your predicting your son in his first year at 10 years old will be better then just under 90% of the established racers presently at sunset - and you also state at the same time if he cannot keep up and be safe in preseason practice he will be pulled from the series

I have to ask you this when Pete Shephard 3, JR Fitzpatrick, Brandon Watson etc are 40 year olds racing at local race tracks, or touring series etc. what real benefit did they have with starting at a younger age then say DJ Kennington, Tom Walters, etc., your asking to start your son at a younger age



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[cardriver]

I am not Treydon's father. I am not related to the Lapcevich family nor am I even part of their crew. I doubt the family would recognize me on the street. My involvement with them has been in a few races on the track with Cayden.

Where do my predictions come from? Past success of well supported young drivers with a racing background. He doesn't have to be a racing prodigy to be a champion at the Saturday night racing level he just needs experience which he has and the support of a good team. He will do well at that level.

Can he move up and will he be the next big thing? Who knows but getting an early start is the best way to find out.

End of the day he may not end up any different that DJ, Tom Walters, ect which is far from a bad thing. What he will have is great memories of his childhood at the track racing with is family. An upbringing like that where you are allowed to go has far as your skill will take you is something that will lead to success in later life even if its not racing.

Let the kid do his thing.

Linkback: https://www.canadianracingonline.com/smf/index.php?topic=18881.msg110420#msg110420

[cardriver]

at 10 years old will be better then just under 90% of the established racers presently at sunset -

I said and if you don't believe me here you can scan back and read it yourself that he is starting with more experience than 90% of the rookie drivers starting out in that class.

Either you have a comprehension issue or its you who equates the established drivers to rookies.

Linkback: https://www.canadianracingonline.com/smf/index.php?topic=18881.msg110421#msg110421

[northernequipmentsolution]

at 10 years old will be better then just under 90% of the established racers presently at sunset -

I said and if you don't believe me here you can scan back and read it yourself that he is starting with more experience than 90% of the rookie drivers starting out in that class.

Either you have a comprehension issue or its you who equates the established drivers to rookies.

You said he would finish the season TOP 5 out of the 40 drivers who started a Saturday night at Sunset throughout the year, which would mean YOU are stating he is better then 87.5% of the racers in the mini-stock division, which as I said is just under 90%

I understand you have forgot more then most racers will ever know, but your predicting your son in his first year at 10 years old will be better then just under 90% of the established racers presently at sunset - and you also state at the same time if he cannot keep up and be safe in preseason practice he will be pulled from the series

 


Linkback: https://www.canadianracingonline.com/smf/index.php?topic=18881.msg110422#msg110422

[cardriver]

You said he would finish the season TOP 5 out of the 40 drivers who started a Saturday night at Sunset throughout the year, which would mean YOU are stating he is better then 87.5% of the racers in the mini-stock division, which as I said is just under 90%

No I said what I typed and am now telling your for the 3rd time, he has more experience than 90% of rookie drivers

If you want to do the math on my other statement that he will be top 5 get it right. There are not 40 full time drivers, there are 40 registered drivers. Last year 15 cars competed in all the events meaning that running full time he would only need to beat 10 drivers of 66% to make top 5. Either way using a number like that is just as dumb because there are many factors that determine your points position such as your team being able to get the car back out for the next race or the next week after a crash.

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[northernequipmentsolution]

Not trying to be smart here but Treyton will beat a rookie like yourself. I have no problem predicting right now he will easily be ROTY easily in the top 10 likely with at least one feature win and possibly in the top 5 of the points at year end.

This has become pointless, hopefully the powers that be don't follow through with this publicity stunt, and come to their senses. 




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[northernequipmentsolution]

At a time where 4 time F1 champion says he is too young to appreciate what has happened in his life, here are the ages these drivers started racing full size cars, I know these are just examples, but it didn't seem to affect their careers

Dale Jr - 17
Joey Logano - 13
Kyle Larson - 15
Jimmy Johnson - 18
Tony Stewart - Left Quarter Midgets at the age of 19, before going to USAC


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[cardriver]

At a time where 4 time F1 champion says he is too young to appreciate what has happened in his life,

Yes the grueling 11 race schedule is really going to put a damper on his development as a kid.

Much better to leave him to find his own way to entertain himself in the pits rather than involving him in the activities. Or maybe leave him at home with the babysitter to watch TV. That's how you appreciate life.

Congratulations on proving that all Jr forms of racing from Jr Karts to Quarter Midgets are a waste of time for driver development, and worse are detrimental to the appreciation of life. Fortunately we all have famous Daddies where we can live off their name and have a NASCAR team to give us a ride when we decide to start racing at 17.  I overlooked the obvious

Or maybe we should think about Jeff Gordon who started in a full out Sprint Car at 13. He was told he was too young to race so his family traveled across the country to where he could. The buzz surrounding a kid running one of those running strong and eventually winning is what kick started his racing career.

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