2012 Junior Competitors

[Steve Ekstrand]

Reminder to all junior parents on regular Saturday practices. There is not enough time to walk course at lunch so juniors should be present in the morning to walk course. Technically, this can be waived for experienced junior competitors, but its really mandatory for inexperienced juniors to make two walks and a darn good idea for all.

Reminder that juniors must have a new 2012 SCCA annual waiver signed by both parents (either notarized or signed in front of an SCCA member who can witness).

Juniors must be SCCA members and must pay and register for practices.

Reminder that long pants and long sleeves of abrasion resistant material (such and denim jean) are required. Socks and shoes are required. Abrasion resistant gloves are required. Long hair needs to be managed in such a way as to prevent it from catching in moving parts during an incident. Two years ago a woman was killer at a kart track when her long hair caught in the chain. A neck brace is required. A fullface helmet with required and the face shield must be down on course. Weights must be double nutted, pinned, or safety wired. Steering components and pedals must be safety wired. For 2012, A “brake safety cable” or redundant brake pedal connection is required in all karts. Remember that a junior must demonstrate his or her ability to turn off the kart from the normal seating position. This is not a complete list of safety rules, but some highlights of things we look at most in approving karts to run.

Class designations have dropped the F. We are now JA, JB, and JC.

Effective 3/1/12, the spec tire for all Junior classes will be the MG HZ Red. Maximum of 4.6 in the front and 6.0 rear. I may have a set of one event take off's from SKUSA Nationals last October, I bought 7 sets of 4.6 MG reds and have found homes for 6 sets so far.

For more information refer to Section 19 and Appendices G and H in the 2012 Solo Rules. You can also contact myself or any of the region's several qualified Youth Stewards.

In this region, we have gotten quite good at creating separate junior grid areas isolated from the main grid so we don't need to shutdown cars entering and exiting grid. Please make this work smoothly by keeping a clear and easy path between course exit and course entrance for junior drivers. Trailers, stands, and equipment can easily become obstacles to safe passage if thought and care is not given. We are always striving to minimize the time juniors take to run. Please be ready ahead of time. Notify event officials of karts being shared. Try not to block the view of the trailer that needs to see kart numbers to stage. Be cognizant that quick starting line kart swaps will need to be acknowledged by the trailer for timing and scoring. Once your child has completed competition laps please quickly and safely exit the junior grid area so we can clear the event to begin running cars.

There may be additional opportunities for junior practice during events staged at El Toro. Please contact me before those events for more information.

The Kart Advisory Committee of the SCCA and the Solo Events Board is currently working with Briggs racing to develop a new slide restrictor for the Briggs World Formula in Junior B to replace the manifold restrictor plate currently provided by SCCA. That restrictor really doesn't work well, but the new slide has done very well in testing. If you're a Briggs driver in JB, please follow this development. There is also a movement underway to make the Briggs World Formula the spec engine for Junior A and Junior B at National events. These boards are looking for member comment immediately on the move to a spec motor, the timing and phase-in of the switch, and the impact on local competition if any. Please learn more about these important issues in our junior program and let your voice be heard with your letters to the SEB.