Age of Kart Drivers

[C4Shane]

This question was asked in the "Solo Novice - Tips" thread. What is the age for a Kart driver. The question was if a driver could be under 16, since that is legal for Kart sanctioning bodies such as WKA.

Basically, the answer is that at our Solo events all drivers must have a valid driver's license or learners permit (and be accompanied as required) to compete.

The exception to that is with non-shifter Karts, youths can compete but only if a Junior Program is in place as outlined in Appendix H of the 2006 Solo Rules:


APPENDIX H - JUNIOR DRIVER PROGRAM
I. RULES AND PROCEDURAL UPDATES
A. As this program remains in the developmental phase, rule
updates or clarifications may appear periodically in the
Fastrack section of SportsCar magazine or www.scca.com.
II. EVENT OPERATION
A. All procedures described in Appendix G, Section II, and in
Section 19.2 would apply. The Junior Driver Program may
either be run incorporated into an event, run concurrently on
a separate course, run after an event, or as a stand-alone
event.
B. In addition to the above, the following procedures would
apply:
1. Appointment of at least one Youth Steward. Two
additional assistant Youth Stewards are recommended.
Duties are described below.
2. Conduct an additional driver’s meeting for the Junior
Drivers.
3. Provide a small area for Junior Driver vehicle
orientation.
4. Develop work assignments for Junior Drivers that are
appropriate to their individual ages and background.
An alternate to a traditional work assignment could be
a safety training session. Either work assignments or
training sessions will be under the supervision of the
Youth Stewards. NOTE: Waiver duty is limited to
persons above the age of majority of the state in which
the event is held, however, Junior Drivers may assist an adult.
C. Youth Steward Duties
1. In conjunction with the event chairperson and event
Solo Safety Steward, establish specific event
procedures relative to schedule, grid and site layout,
special instructions, Junior Driver vehicle orientation,
etc.
2. Oversee the conduct of all Junior Drivers with the
authority for disciplinary action including reprimand,
time penalty, disqualification, expulsion from the site,
and driver suspension.
3. Conduct a Junior Drivers’ meeting that emphasizes
safety, responsibility and event procedures.
4. Conduct a Junior Driver vehicle orientation session
prior to competition runs for inexperienced drivers.
5. Lead at least two mandatory course walks for
inexperienced Junior Drivers.
D. Pilot Program for Younger Drivers
Selected Regions will be allowed to have drivers 5 years old
and older participating on Solo courses using Cadet carts
with 3HP engines, as per WKF rules. The Solo course used
could either be the regular event course during or after the
event, or a totally separate course. Regions may only be
approved for this pilot program if they have been running a
Solo Formula Junior program for a minimum of one year,
with at least four events conducted with Junior Drivers. The
National Office, Solo Department, will issue the approvals to
the Regions for participation in this program.
III. JUNIOR DRIVER ELIGIBILITY
A. SCCA member. Membership may be waived for first event.
B. The minimum age is 8 years old. It is important that Solo
Rules Section 1.4.N be strictly adhered to when Junior
Drivers are participating. Formula Junior A drivers must be 8
years old before being allowed to compete. Formula Junior
B drivers must be between 12 years old and 15 years old.
Regions are free to adjust the FJA to FJB transition age (the
year in which a child turns 12 years old) to accommodate
their region’s competition season.
C. Completed minor competitor waiver.
D. Attendance at Junior Driver meeting and course walk.

Sorry for the long answer, but as many folks do not download the SCCA Solo Rulebook (free!!! at SCCA.org), I thought it would be easy enough to post it here.

OK - So my original answer is still valid, as we have not run a junior program as discussed above. I suspect if we had sufficient interest from youths/parents we could easily initiate this type of activity. However we have not done this during 2006.

[damnyankee]

Whew!!!!

[C4Shane]

Sorry YamnDankee...and it was an old post, but apparently none of the event officials wanted to answer.

Bottom line - we see just a few Karts a year - usually early in the season before the WKA and others get things going. Really hasn't been an issue, so let's not make it one!

[damnyankee]

uh uh!! Not Me!!

I don't create issues!!


I hate issues!!

[jbyrd]

We have had events where juniors have competed, so the answer to his question is "yes he can compete."

That's qualified by adding that he may only compete in certain events where the class would be sanctioned. I can't answer that one.

As you stated "apparently none of the event officials wanted to answer," nor can either of us.

[C4Shane]

I just simply posted the rules as stated in the 2006 rule book, as you identified - which directs you to Appendix H. In 2006, we have not had any Junior Driver Programs that would have allowed a youth to compete. Nor have we had any register at our events.

This really isn't an issue since we have not had anyone bring this to us other than this one question. If it arises, we need to follow the direction of Appendix H and institute a Junior Driver Program.
At this time, the registrar requires all competitors to present a valid drivers license (or learners permit).

[jbyrd]

As I stated, I can't answer that one.

We have had very young looking people driving karts at many of our events. Like at Lowes, for instance.

Many of our events last year had young looking people whom appeared to be children and teens competing. Several of the events I attended in 2004 did as well.

They may very well have been old enough to have a valid license, but I'm pretty sure R Raley's grandson doesn't have his license yet.

But then again....what do I know about kids? Most everybody else just seems to look a lot younger these days.

[C4Shane]

Esp those in the 18 to +5 group!!

[pistonwheels]

I missed this whole topic and I should have replied a while ago!

CCR allows Kart drivers as young as 12 years of age, as long as they are running a 5hp non-shifter Kart. There are cspecific clothing requirements. They must be accompanied by an adult. The adult may be required to undertake the child's assigned work duty as the child may not work in a hot area. We also do try and get any children involved in some form of work activity (most 14 year olds can work the timing computer better than some of us old guys!).

We have allowed children between the ages of 8 and 12 to run. (same 5hp karts). This requires approval of the Event Chair and the Safety Steward, as approval may depend on the site or course layout.

We have set up a separate course at Knights occasionally for Karts.

CCR actually has a good history of working with young Karters. The club did send a letter several years ago to National Office to outline our Kart program and get approval for junior karters of 8 years of age and up, and I know of no reason that it has been terminated.

We had youth Stewards, Geoff Zimmer and Estus White being two of them (and of course, Ted was). The stewards undertook the specific requirements that saabstory outlined. We also have some CCR specific rules, such as requiring orange flags on plastic poles to make sure Kart is more visible, wrapping of all exhaust pipes with heat tape (to prevent burns) and marking fuel to identify non-gas fuels supplies (so the right extinguisher can be used if necessary).

I'll try and remember to raise this at the next BoD meeting, so we can get this documented and announced better.

Regards,
Martin.

[C4Shane]

Thanks Martin! That is the response that is needed. Things went quite smoothly with the karts at the last event.