My son is starting to race

[Larry H]

My son is 11 and has been racing at K1 since they opened. He is now serious and the formula 1 junior program isn't enough! Yesterday he bested their #1 point scorer by 2/100ths, something he's pretty proud of.

How do I best get him started in outdoor racing? I have been involved in BMWCCA local autocross, and my daughter and I have attended Jim Hall in the past. I remember Peter and his daughter from QualComm events!

Thanks for any help.

[Ed wood Rotax 57]

Peter usually sees this forum so hopefully he will get with you. Our next race is 04/24/05 at El Cajon Speedway, so come out and watch and talk and ask questions. We have a meeting at Coco's restaurant on the 2nd Thursday of every month. It's on Balboa Ave just east of Genesse. Open to all. On our web site you can click on classes to explain age etc and classifieds to see who has what for sale.

Hope to see you out there,
Ed

[Bill Cox]

Come out to our next race at Cajon Speedway April 24th. Spend the day with us; watch the action; talk to everyone in the pits...particularly the Junior drivers and their parents. If there's a willing owner, you're son may be able to do a few laps after the race day concludes. Pits open at 7am; 9am practice begins; racing normally gets underway around 11am; concludes 4-5pm.

[Larry H]

Thanks for such quick replies. We'll plan on the 24th for sure!

[Brian Felix]

Also make sure to talk to Tom Levenberg (#10 Shifter Kart). He owns Lap Tech and is always at the races helping the younger drivers out on race day. He could set you up with a kart and equipment too if your son decides karting is for him. Good Luck!

[Peter B]

Wow, I pressed enter twice without a post. I must be tired. Anyway, sorry I haven't responded to this initial post, because I usually do and would be more than willing to help out a fellow CCA member. I was instructing at Willow Springs this week and haven't been able to keep up on the web. PapaBear Ed Wood gave me a heads up and here I am.

Larry, how old is your son? That will give us the first step on what class your son would slot into and whom to direct you to. Isabella is in Junior 1 which is a 8-12 year old class with a 80cc Comer Engine. On Sunday, April 24, come on out and look for us at our tent. If your son is in Isabella's age range, just hang out with us all day and see what is involved in a typical race day. If your son is in a different age class, I'll introduce you to a couple of the participants in that class and you can see what is involved in that class. Everyone in the club is more that willing to help and are all very friendly. Tom Levenberg is great with kids and usually can give you a good idea on what karts are available and what price range your looking at. Regardless, Look for my tent (green Toyota Tacoma truck with white trailer). It sounds like your son is a natural.

[Peter B]

Alright, I'm officially tired. Your son is 11 according to your post. When is he turning 12?

[Larry H]

Thanks Peter. My son turns 12 in November. We'll be a bit late to the races as he has a K1 Formula race that morning.

Are you still doing auto-x? Not sure if you knew that I sold the green M Coupe and switched to a MINI Cooper S. Much better on gas for commuting, but still fun. Haven't been to the last few autocrosses.

My son does seem a natural and it is great to watch him grow as a driver. He seems pretty excited about moving to outdoor karting.

See you there,
Larry

[Peter B]

Sold the M coupe?? Did it have the S54 engine? The Mini Cooper S is a fun car too. I was impressed with its handling at Willow Springs. I'm still doing the autox thing too.

I believe that at 11 or 12 a driver has the option of going into a different class in what I think is called a transition year if he wants to go to a 12-15 age group.

[Larry H]

Yeah, sold the Coupe. It still had the fender guards you gave me when we first met. It had the smaller, 240hp motor. I do miss that torque!