Child care issues

[Si Coe]

Yesterday we had something of a dilema with the number of young children at the track. Bury is a family club, and as such we would never ask that people don't bring their kids with them, but they do present a major health and safety issue.
Ideally we need to keep them off the track whilst racing is going on, especially around the tabletop area where they stand a dangerously high chance of getting hit. The dilema part is that they would clearly like to get involved, and want to help out, and of course we wish to encourage that.

My wife of all people put forward a clever suggestion. Why don't we set up a kiddies track and get a few Micro T's to run on it? It wouldn't take up any space at all (the equivalent of a single parking space) and they can race, marshal and play to their hearts content.
The track could be a piece of carpet marked out with garden hose, maybe some tiny jumps - just like our track, but in mini form. I'd suggest a simple layout (oval even) as they are learning.

Whatever happens, we cannot have the same situation as yesterday. Sooner or later one of them is going to get hurt and we can't have that. I'd rather not say no kids full stop, as thats going to keep people away (I'm likely to have to bring Ben at some point myself) and it doesn't encourage them to join in. However, Goshen park has little for them to do other than marshal, so i get why they do it.
Any other ideas welcome.

[coleman758]

To be fair i picked up on this, also.

I was really backing off up and over the table top (near right from the rostrum) as i didn't want to hit any of the youngsters.

If you say no kids the club will slowly fall apart. The kids are the next generation of racers.

i think a smaller track would work well! It would be good.
but you need to keep the kids involved with the proper racing. Or they will never really learn.

I would suggest "Child Friendly" marshal points. Or that the should be accompanied by an adult. I think a few small HI VIS vest wouldent go a miss either.

[steelie600]

BRCA rallyx rules state no one under the age of 12 should be marshalling, dont know how it is in tenth. We just make their old man marshall if theyre too young.

Guys if you do want to build a micro track for the kids Ill donate a roll of astro for ya! Would cover a 5m x 4m area if you cut it in half and laid them side by side

[Si Coe]

We've still got some astro left from the old track, but we'd need council permission for anything not temporary, which is why I suggested a carpet track we can quickly pack away.

I'm not sure what the minimum age is, but in truth those rules only apply to racers anyway. The children involved were not entered into the meeting, simply accompanying people who were. The rule book suggests anyone (regardless of age) not racing should be on the other side of the fence, but they kept finding their way on to the track.

They are keen to help, and learning good skills, so thats all fine - but need to be kept well away from the more dangerous points of the track. However, thats where all the fun is (and where the marshals have to work hardest) so that is where they go.

If parents that are marshalling themselves want their kids at their points and helping thats cool, but presently unaccompanied kids should not be on the track.

[tisher]

I can see your point on this as there where alot of kids running round on the track yesterday. But them problem is the youngsters that are racing the likes of jack ,josh , vaughn etc all race week in week out they know exactly how to marshall and sometimes do it safer and better than the adults so where do you draw the line on it. you could have child friendly marshall points but when you only have small turn out it would difficult

[Si Coe]

I've had a few PM's from other clubs about this, and the basic answer there Martin is that racers marshal, non-racers are outside the fence. However clearly nobody wants to smash a speeding B44 into Vaughn's face, so we still need to consider his safety first and foremost.

It makes sense therefore to as much as possible keep our very youngest drivers away from the more dangerous marshalling points - specifically I'm thinking the table top and anything that involves crossing the straight, plus the wooden jump if used. Obviously in a heat full of juniors we can't avoid every dodgy marshal point, but we could assign them to the oldest/most experienced.

In no way should this be considered a criticism of the kids that were helping yesterday - they are really fast getting to cars, much faster than the adults! The issue is they are a little slower righting them (which leaves them in the danger zone longer), less visible and more fragile!

[tisher]

I totally agree with you nobody should be inside the track if there not racing including children but speaking personally and probably for must of the dads and lads who race I always try and make vaughn Marshall in slow areas of the track. The easy answer is just have three cones out in areas that are easy to Marshall and there should be no problems.

[The Bod]

I have to agree with Si on this one. It is great that the youngsters are coming to the club and wanting to be actively involved but as a club we should also help to protect them and if that means dictating where are safe places for them to marshall, this should be encouraged. The cars are travelling much faster on the outdoor track compared with indoors (Ribble) and a poorly placed foot on the fast straight will probably cause a serious bump.

I am not sure if there was an issue with youngsters on the rostrum during racing yesterday but last week there was. During a few of my rounds, non racing kids were allowed to spectate from the rostrum which was very off-putting, especially when they kept asking me who was in the lead or jumping about.

The answer is not simple, but needs to be resolved. As said, only people racing should be allowed on the track and rostrum areas. At the end of the day, parents have responsibility for their children when at the race days.

[captainlip]

Originally Posted by The Bod

I have to agree with Si on this one. It is great that the youngsters are coming to the club and wanting to be actively involved but as a club we should also help to protect them and if that means dictating where are safe places for them to marshall, this should be encouraged. The cars are travelling much faster on the outdoor track compared with indoors (Ribble) and a poorly placed foot on the fast straight will probably cause a serious bump.

I am not sure if there was an issue with youngsters on the rostrum during racing yesterday but last week there was. During a few of my rounds, non racing kids were allowed to spectate from the rostrum which was very off-putting, especially when they kept asking me who was in the lead or jumping about.

The answer is not simple, but needs to be resolved. As said, only people racing should be allowed on the track and rostrum areas. At the end of the day, parents have responsibility for their children when at the race days.

Well said Graham! Something I've been pointing out at heats the last couple of times I've been.

And SI I agree with everything you have said to, it's only a matter of time until a child gets seriously hurt

[budfish]

You know my opinion on this lads I've voiced it enough when I car breaks a little ones ankle it's to late the time to put a safe system of involvement for the kids Is now before there is one prevention is better than a cure.

1. No children under 8 to Marshall unless with an adult (harsh but safe)

2.no one but racers on the rostrum during racing

If there is a clash of heats between father and son which wouldn't allow the father to be present with the child have a word with race control and if possible juggle the heats it wouldn't be to hard

[tisher]

I agree with everything said this has come up enough times before but nothing seems to get done about it.. lets just get it sorted before it happens then.. I personaly had to shift 4 kids off the table top before a heat started and they were all under 6

[bigred5765]

isn't it unless you are a brca member your not allowed inside the track fence, especially when a race is on,no brca member ship no license???

[Si Coe]

Its only a 4 foot fence. Even a 5 year old can climb it! We'd clear them, then 5 mins later they'd be back. Once inside, they have to be removed, preferably without having to carry them back off the track!

Several people have said to me, other clubs are just stricter on stuff like this. Problem is Bury's whole USP is that we aren't that strict or serious, so its a balancing act. I don't want to say 'Don't bring your kids' or such, because thats not what we are about.

[captainlip]

Well something needs to be underlined here before an accident happens because unfortunately this is the way it's heading if nothings done.

Last time out I was inches from hitting a lad on the doubles as he was trying to overturn a car but took to long and then decided to dart back across the track

[shanks]

Kids aren't that bad at listening if you tell them clearly

Why not gather all the young tougher to begin with and let them know where they are not allowed ?

Budas good at talking to kids - bet they'd listen to him, perhaps a few sweets as a bribe?

[JonyNitro]

He does have a new dog!!haha

[terryh]

Hi Guys

Have read this thread with interest, but to be honest, the fact that you have allowed such young children to marshall has shocked me! Although, I completely understand how and why you have allowed it. Please dont think i'm here to criticise, i'm not, especially as you seem to have made the decision to keep children out of the track area whilst racing is going on, I also hope what I have to say will help you.

It was a a 1/8th buggy meet that my son was racing at, and was about 12 or 13 at the time, so more than capable of marshalling without an adult in attendance. A buggy driver mistimed his jump and ended up on his roof on the other side of the track to the marshall point where my son was marshalling, my son waited untill it was clear for him to marshall the car, but the idiot of a driver was reving his car because he was impatient. An adult would most likely have NOT picked that car up, but my son did, the driver concerned didnt allow my son to put his car back down before reving the nuts off it, somehow my son managed to grab the pipe, and he ended up with a very badly burned hand. I had to lean over the fence and lift him out to get some some quick burn treatment for him, and then leaving the meeting to take him to hospital. He's okay now and the scar isn't that bad, but the panic at the meeting ruined his, mine and quite a few others day. He also packed up racing after this incident and still dosnt want to come back.

I realise that the circumstances are very different in so much as this was a nitro meet. But, a more experienced adult would probably have not picked that car up so the incident would never have happened, a child is also more easily injured making it far worse. You also NEVER forgive yourself for allowing your child to be placed somewhere where they can be so easily injured.

I think the way you are trying to encourage your children to get involved with racing is great, and wish you every bit of luck, but please remember, their safety is more important.

I hope this helps and wish you the best of luck.

Terry Holmes

[Pitman Ed]

Hi everyone,
I'm Luke and Josh's grandad (going more grey trying to keep 2 cars running on the day). And I'm an old has been like Roger; we both go back almost 30 years in this hobby/sport. So we've come across this several times.
Everything most people have said is correct. Friendly marshall points, none drivers/none mechanics off the track etc. The only effective way to deal with it is:
1) Childrens' guardians are responsible for them. Announce it; post a notice. Children need to be under control, not wandering around the track like on Sunday. I cleared several of them off the track several times. If one gets hurt those missing guardians will be the first to blame someone else!
2)Appoint a safety officer who's decisions are final. He can rule on marshal points, age considerations etc. He should be responsible enough to take action to stop dangerous practice.
3)Kids love to chase a football; there's plenty of space for them to do that.

Kids love racing cars - and I love encouraging them. It can be done safely with a bit of effort.

Thanks everyone for showing concern.

Eddie

[budfish]

Buds the safety officer I like the sound of that rule and iron fist spring to mind

[Chrislong]

If your allowing kids on the track, limit motors to 17.5 brushless or 540 silver can brushed at maximum..