Future racers

[hydroracer25]

I've been doing our club's (MHRA) awards and stats for the last 5+ years and have noticed that every year we get between 2-5 rookies, but most have already left the sport. I'm not trying to turn this into "why is this, what can we do..." type discussion, but more so find out how many "Future J racers" we have. We most definetely seem to be very strong in 2nd, 3rd and even 4th generation racers.

A few recent topics made me start thinking about this.
1) Announcement of the Gallagher's and Backus' pregancies (by the way congrats)
2) The talk of the Dayton Memoribilia and the fact that my mom and saved shirts from the 72,75, and 76 Nationals that I wore (I was born in '72).
3) MHRA has had elims (12-16) in JH and about 5-9 JRs at our last 4 races, so things look pretty good.

I grew up in the sport and it IS in my blood and most likely won't ever leave. It's taught me many great things and I without a doubt plan to support my children in racing if they choose to do so.

So with that said, who out there has some "young-ins" that may be racing in the next say 2-8 years? Let's show everyone that there are future racers in the works and the future looks strong.

Grandparents can chime in too, as they are a very important resource to our sport. It seems as if there are quite a few ex-racers who are getting their grandkids involved (so let's hear it from the Schaubs, Grabels, Romberg.....). If anyone knows some "old timers" with grandkids about racing age encourage them to attend an event or 2 in your area.

In Region 6 a few that I can name quickly off the top of my head that don't frequent this site are:

Colin Smith -5 1/2
Daniel Johnston-Trolian - 3/12
Kayla Kerr - 5
Emily Kerr - 2

My kids:
Nikolas - 4 1/2
Natalie - 14 months

Hope this gets some replies. Thanks,

Mark Miskerik

[Steve Johnson]

Johnson Girls gone wild.

Got two at age six this won't be easy but they will run if they want to.
steve

[YankeeRacing]

5 generations

My grandson Joel Young is a FIFTH generation racer from the Payn family. He is 17 and just graduated from high school. I am hoping we don't have a sixth generation racer for quite a few years, but I do hope it happens someday. By that time, I also hope I'm too old to watch!
Connie
Side note: Jared Gryskewitz and I were talking the other day about family vacations. Seems neither of us has ever had a family vacation that did not include a boat race. What do people who don't boat race actually DO on vacations anyway?

[17W]

Excellent Topic!

Sara Backus- 4 1/2 going on 15... She's already got a Racecraft JSR rig. If she chooses to go racing, it's on! Only memrobilia I have from Dayton is a 9 stitch scar under my chin...1981 me & The Beiger brothers had a blast staying up all night raising hell.

[David_L6]

My grandson Joel Young is a FIFTH generation racer from the Payn family. He is 17 and just graduated from high school.

Did he receive his diploma during the driver's meeting at a boat race?

What do people who don't boat race actually DO on vacations anyway?

Why would anyone use vacation time if they aren't going racing or hunting?

[YankeeRacing]

I hate it when I hear the justification of quitting the sport because of babies and family.
The important thing is doing something with your kids, and a boat race is a great environment to do that. You learn a lot about togetherness when you spend time in a truck just getting to a race, and when you are there, you learn a lot about tolerance of each other and patience. I have seen some really great kids grow up and become honorable adults attributed to the race experience.
Yeah, Dave, Brian’s graduation from high school was done at a drivers’ meeting in Alexandria, LA. His school secretly sent his cap and gown and it was the best ceremony ever.
As adults we should not forget how much influence we each have over the race kids running about the pits, either. When Brian was 13 he had to do a paper on his best friend. Brian wrote about a dentist from Grove, OK, Rick Miller. (Already over twice Brian's age). Rick and Brian had some strong competition on the race course, but off the course they were just like any other friends., hanging out and doing what friends do. The teacher said this was very strange. I said, “Not if you know Rick Miller!”
I am happy that we have five generations of kids we call boat racers in our family. However, I would have loved it if I could say that this was our first generation. When I sell a race it is always sold as a “family” program. So, keep those kids coming and keep them racing. And let me sit back and enjoy them. (Newest grandson, Sam Tennell already has a Yankee Racing shirt that I am making him today. And he is only 8 months old and lives in Georgia with Dad and Mom, Buddy and Jean Tennell. His Dad is gonna love this!
Connie
By the way, Steve Johnson's twins are the cutest things you ever saw!

[sam]

4 & 5 year olds in Regions 3 & 4:

Fearless Wil Augustine
Don't tell me I can't Ilene Augustine
Arron Bowman

I'd actually pay to see these kids race

Just behind them from farther north:
Robert Luce

[pav225]

Mikey Pavlick -Age 7 and plans to race in 2 years. He drove Olson's JSH last year and is hooked. Plans to race JSH, but has his eyes on my 20!

Jared Pavlick -Age 4. If his brother races, you can bet that he'll try to beat him.

Will Pavlick -8 months old.....

[BP125V]

Region 7 kids

Jace Scheffler will be racing JH this year and I'm sure a JR as soon as Jeff can get him in one.

Cole Olson (6 I think) has shown a vey strong interest in racing, Tad is grooming him already.

My youngest, Karsten (8 next month) wants to race everything, monster trucks, NASCAR, go karts etc - I told him he has to start in boats. We'll try to get him in a boat this summer to see how he does.

Bill III

[jeff55v]

Maybe my Jr.

My oldest, Jesse is 18yrs old, doesn't seem interested. But my other boy, Jeff jr. (4) thinks he's ready to go!

I haven't asked my girls (both 1) if they're interested yet.