Gone Racin��.with the Junior Dragsters

 Many people have never heard of or attended a drag race where Jr Dragsters were competing. These petite versions of the pavement pounding top fuel cars are built for kids. The Jr Dragsters are powered by 5 horsepower Briggs & Stratton engines, often referred to as �lawn mower� engines. To Race in this division, a driver must be between the ages of 8 through 16. Roger Rohrdanz and I, drove out to Pomona Raceway on June 8, 2002, for a major points race. We met George Phillips, the race director, and his very professional staff. This event was called the National Dragster Challenge and was sponsored by the Auto Club of Southern California. There were about 160 cars on hand to compete in four different age categories. About 45 percent of the racers were young ladies, who seemed to take great pride in their racing abilities. NHRA sanctions the records, provides the track and staff to run the races. The National Dragster Magazine publishes a nifty newsletter called �The Pomona Raceway News,� which is chocked full of results, rules, helpful hints and advice. The course is run on an 1/8^th mile, using only half of the full quarter mile strip, with a �Christmas Tree� starting device, and is timed for E.T. (elapsed time) and MPH (miles per hour). There are four age groups to compete in; 8-9, 10-12, 13-14, and 15-16. The driver must write his dial-in times on both sides of his/her car for the tower staff to notice. Failure to stay within these dial-in times can lead to a disqualification. The brackets are 7.90, 8.90 and 12.90 seconds of elapsed time, and the racers cannot exceed the speed they choose to compete in. Points are awarded depending on the number of contestants in a given category, with a maximum of 108 possible points per event. As small as these engines are, they produce enough power to propel these cars to speeds as fast as 85 MPH, and to elapsed times over the 1/8^th mile course to within 7.90 seconds. The engines are also capable of exceeding the track limit of 90 decibels, and so everything possible is done to keep the noise level at or below the acceptable standards.

A Jr Dragster points race is very similar to a professional Drag racing event. In the parking lot and pit area, there are trucks and trailers to tow in the cars. There are pop-up tents, and crew areas to work on the Jr Dragsters. NHRA provides a trailer to sell souvenirs and t-shirts. Parents, grandparents and friends proudly follow along and push the cars through the pits and staging lanes, and right up to the starting line. The youthful drivers are wearing their racing suits and beautifully designed and painted safety helmets. Some chatter away nervously or remain mute and pensive, just like the more well known professional drivers do. There is the familiar scheduling that one sees at the big meets, with the gates opening at 7 AM, followed by the Tech inspections, and the 9 AM engine firing time. The invocation was given by the reverend Bryant Campbell, track chaplain from Racers for Christ. The only noticeable difference is the lack of fans in the stands and the eerie quiet on the track. People whisper and walk quietly, trying to keep the noise level below the allowed limits. This form of drag racing is a participatory activity.  There are few spectators present. Everyone present is there to work, to race, to scurry about in some function or another. Josh Mason, age 11, sang the National Anthem. He campaigns the car �Need for Speed.� His friend, Edward Knox, was there with him to give him moral support. Edward�s car is called �The Problem Child.�

 Ricky and Tommy Reed each had a car, and both were sponsored by Reed�s Patterns and Molds. The Reeds� also race at San Diego and Irwindale, and try to get to at least two or more races a month. They say that it is possible to spend as little as $3000 for a Jr Dragster and trailer, or as much as $10,000. Some crews have spent over $1000 porting the heads in order to get more power. Compared to other forms of Auto Racing, this is still a very inexpensive and enjoyable form of competition. The cars in the staging lanes were as finely detailed, decaled and painted as any of the professional cars in the National NHRA events around the country. Interesting and provocative names on the cars included: Just Another Toy, Mr. Toads, The Amber Dragon Lady, Tweety�s Fast Car, Superstar, Cave Man, Get a Grip, Funtime, Live Wire, and Red Light Bandit. I stopped and spoke to a beaming Heather and Ed Krzywicki, parents and crew for their daughter, Amber, in her car, �Just Cruisin.� When Ed isn�t at the Jr Drags with Amber, he is campaigning his Super Comp car in the Division 7 NHRA events. For a schedule of events, call the track at 626-914-4761x228.

Gone Racin� is at www.oilstick.com

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