Growing up, almost every kid who left their little league baseball diamond dreamed of one day playing major league baseball. The same boy would run the ball through the air, pretending he had caught the World Series-winning fly ball. The boy would sit in the ball park with his eyes glued to his baseball heroes, studying his every move and technique, while he dreamed of the day he too would do the same. I too had these dreams.
At 10 years old with four years of youth baseball under my belt, I discovered my interests and strengths. At this point in my life, I had already been competing in the NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League for two years. He wasn’t a terribly bad ballplayer, but he was easily a much better sprinter. I tolerated playing baseball, but I loved drag racing. Success on the racetrack is a lot like success on the ball diamond. My dedication to racing resembled the aforementioned boy who loved baseball. I’d sit in my basement, taking hits on my practice tree, pretending Warren Johnson was on the opposite lane. I would go to every NHRA US Nationals and NHRA National event at Route 66 Raceway, following drivers like Mark “The Cowboy” Pawuk around their pit lane and into the setup lanes, dreaming that one day I would be a part of that racing scene. careers.
Taking a junior dragster driver to the race track to watch a “big car” race or see NHRA pros and professional sports drivers in action is like walking into a classroom. Although a Super Stock Camaro with a steering wheel has little in common with a 150-inch-wheelbase junior dragster, the race procedures at the track are nearly identical.
Starting in the junior dragster class, it’s important not to take losses early in a rider’s career too seriously. The truth is that most of the eight or nine-year-old drivers just coming through the ranks will be up against drivers with more experience than them. While I have witnessed a junior rider win on his first outing, it is rare and probably a case of serious beginner’s luck. So I advise you not to take losses against older drivers too seriously in the beginning. Of course, compete to win, but don’t get frustrated. Racing against more experienced drivers will only make you or your driver a better driver. Over time the younger driver will develop his skills behind the wheel and that first big win against an older driver will be that much more enjoyable.
That said, losing early in a race gives the young driver and their parents or car owner a chance to learn from the stands. Walk with the young driver near the starting line to pay close attention to what the more experienced drivers are doing. Teach the importance of consistency in all depletion and staging procedures. The last 6 inches when rolling onto the stage beam is arguably the most important piece of real estate on the racetrack, so teach your driver to take their time, courtesy stage, and focus.
After you’ve spent some time at the starting line, give the young driver a lesson in the basics of driving to the finish line. With each couple of cars you pass, point out when a driver did well or how he could have done better. Seeing firsthand is a powerful tool for learning the fundamentals.
As always at any point in a driver’s career, safety is of paramount importance. Even before the day’s race starts, take a walk to the racetrack turnoff. Each track is a little different, so instruct the driver to remind you where the finish line is, how long the closed area is, and how to exit the skid strip properly: obey track officials if present, turn slowly , and always be aware of the other car to avoid a collision.