Kids racing

[warx]

Well I had a long conversation with my son on the drive back from the track yesterday. It is apparent that this is not in his top list of activities. Much that I would love it to be a father-son thing we do together I just don't think I can keep forcing or even encouraging him to do. Perhaps he'll come back to it in a few years - he's only 10 and in fourth grade.

I think he still enjoys things like the indoor karting which is only 30 mins away to so he can turn up to with some school friends, race a little then play in the arcade.

My one last attempt is going to be getting out on the track with him and try to spur him into competitiveness with his old man. I think he sees the laps as almost chores right now.

I think I developed my motorsport interest at about 15 or so without any parental support when I started helping build rally cars and motocross bikes back in the UK. Old enough to really understand all the other aspects - building and tuning etc. There were fewer stimuli/other activities too - other than the drinking at the pub!

[Mac]

Hey Mike! I really applaud you choosing to make it work with your son. He might have more interest later or even now as you don't push him he may decide he wants to do it himself.

My kids have always wanted to do the racing part (not so much the get up at the crack of dawn part, or the clean up the equipment part ;D ). I try to work to help them meet the committments they set ("you said you would do this set of races") but I want this to be a fun and fulfilling experience for them. It provides such wonderful lessons in sportsmanship, coordination, paying attention, knowing the rules, etc. In the end, if they don't want to do it then it becomes a teeth-pulling miserable event for all of us. We will race for as long as it continues to be a fun experience!

Hope we see you and Zachary soon!

[brad42]

My Daughter would do a hundred practice laps a day, and quite quick as well. She raced once, got spun out, and never would get in a kart again. Kids.