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Author
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Topic: Teaching our Kids
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Buster
Gearhead Posts: 1821
From: Hurricane alley
Registered: May 2002
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posted 11-30-2006 12:09 AM
 
I have two sons still at home, three total. When my oldest was about 13 or 14 I let him drive the race car on a strip in the back of the track and it scared him. To the point he didn��t want to take it down the track. It was too much HP for him at the time, I guess for his age it was a little much running 10��s. I don��t want to make the same mistake again with my two youngest boys, 15 & 17. So, what is the best way to get them into the car in order to make them feel comfortable enough not scare them to the point of not wanting to drive the car? Question is, for the people here that have taught their kids how to race a fairly fast car without scaring them too much. How did you do it in order to make them feel comfortable in the car? What is the proper way to handle this type of situation?
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Moneymaker
Administrator Posts: 29200
From: Lyons, IL, USA
Registered: May 99
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posted 11-30-2006 12:21 AM
Start them off with a go cart in a parking lot or school yard, then progress into a s l o w car at the track (17 seconds).
Worked for me with Tony.  ------------------
Alex Denysenko
Co-Administrator and Moderator NHRA/SRA member and licensed Superstock driver
NHRA and IHRA SS/LA & SS/MA National Record Holder '00,'01,'02,'03,'04 &'05
First NHRA & IHRA 289 automatic Superstock Mustang in the TENS 06-99
First SS/MA in the TENS 04-03
IHRA division 5 Superstock Champion
Fleet of FoMoCo products including 88 ASC McLaren Mustang #28 The Barry of BarrysGrrl Quote #1: "I never met a magazine mechanic I liked."
Quote #2: "Make sure brain is in gear before engaging mouth!"
Quote #3: "If you can't run with the big dogs, stay on the porch!"
www.moneymakerracing.com
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Buster
Gearhead Posts: 1821
From: Hurricane alley
Registered: May 2002
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posted 11-30-2006 12:40 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Moneymaker:
Start them off with a go cart in a parking lot or school yard, then progress into a s l o w car at the track (17 seconds).
Worked for me with Tony.
I don't have a go cart, then what, lol. Although, the 17 year old is driving a 85 GT that most likely runs in the 15's.... might be a good start? [This message has been edited by Buster (edited 11-30-2006).]
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indyphil
Gearhead Posts: 3394
From: Senoia, G.A. USA
Registered: Jul 2002
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posted 11-30-2006 07:48 AM
I agree with the suggestion, just take a street car - family sedan that runs 16s or 17s, like a plain ford taurus or something. That way they can get used to running wide open like that. The GT wouldnt be too bad to start with, youll need to let them help you decide. Some kids have a more adventurous spirit, others may not be keen on it at all.I would have been scared to run a 10 second car wide open before I had a driving license. Heck thats the point of building a 10 second car, to scare yourself a little.
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capri man
Gearhead Posts: 8777
From: doerun, ga.
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 11-30-2006 10:44 AM
i agree 100% with phil.  ------------------
mike r
racing is real
everything else is just a game.
81 capri-302-7.25 @93mph 1/8
1.54 60ft 50 % of the fun dragracing is meeting people who will give you the shirt off their back to wipe the grease off your hands.
M&M member #839 http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y6/mike470/adel2.jpg
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Rustang
Gearhead Posts: 880
From: Clarion PA
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 11-30-2006 01:15 PM
I've seen it happen twice now where a father puts his kid in a quick car for the first time and he wipes out. One car was a 10 second factory hemi cuda (looped it and tagged the guardrail) the other a 9 second Nova that took a wild ride thru the gin-pines
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Fastymz
Moderator Posts: 22791
From: Reno Nv M&M #1240
Registered: Apr 2001
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posted 11-30-2006 01:21 PM
quote:
Originally posted by indyphil:
I would have been scared to run a 10 second car wide open before I had a driving license. Heck thats the point of building a 10 second car, to scare yourself a little.
I agree, heck a 10 second ride would scare me now,but I'd get over it.  I first raced in my brothers 1972 Delta 88. That was the fastest 17 second I ever drove.  Mike, I agree with the rest start with a much slower car. My son won't race my 65 either,and it's not even close to a 10 second car. But he'll race moms F150 all day long.
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oddly obsessed with big scoops on little Mustangs HOOD HACKERS DELIGHT!
My Pics 13.563 @ 108.64
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Fastymz
Moderator Posts: 22791
From: Reno Nv M&M #1240
Registered: Apr 2001
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posted 11-30-2006 01:24 PM
BTW, Alex and SteveW both told me to learn how to leave as fast as the car can and then the rest will come. No matter how fast the car is.------------------
oddly obsessed with big scoops on little Mustangs HOOD HACKERS DELIGHT!
My Pics 13.563 @ 108.64
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steve'66
Gearhead Posts: 9835
From: Sonoma,CA,USA
Registered: Mar 2000
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posted 11-30-2006 10:54 PM
Absolutely, learn to crawl before you walk. Learn to walk before you run. SteveW
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