Originally Posted by
Loren
Yeah, it's weird in a way. An 8-year-old can COMPETE in a Junior Kart, but can't RIDE in a car. But, it's for the best, I'm sure. I could see tiny little kids in ill-fitting loaner helmets getting tossed all over the front seat.
It's the seats and seatbelts. The seat in a Jr Kart is designed to hold a child securely...they rattle around a bit in an adult-sized seat. IIRC, they have to wear a neck brace in the kart, too, which helps those skinny young necks take the weight of the helmet.
Originally Posted by KAILUAZ
Its too bad you cant expose the young ones to racing, you dont get much more of a controlled environment than a auto cross.
Where is the nearest Kart track around here?
Oh, you can expose 'em just fine! My kids used to come with me from the time they were toddlers until they were old enough to stay home by themselves if my wife was working (now they opt to sleep in)...my oldest will show up again next year, but behind the wheel. Little Charlie Rasp is following the same path...spending once a month with the sound of unmuffled Formula Vees and the smell of exhaust....
Ocala's the nearest kart road course I know of, but Dirt Devils Speedway is just down SR52 from where I live...1/5 mile dirt oval. WKA has junior classes.