High school drag teams

[Mike Machart]

Hi, I've never raced PCMS yet but will next year. Is there any interest in creating some high school teams. My son just graduated from the Jr. and I'll be getting back in the saddle of my '68 chevy stepside and I'm trying to get some high school kids to race at the track instead of the street. "isn't that what this sport is all about?" I live in Culbertson and would like to hear back from anyone else interested in this.

[danomt]

Hey Mike
Glad to have you on board. We have talked a lot about getting high school participation. Tom has tutored some and offered to others a car and lessons. He has even paid their entry's. We hope he gets more takers. What are your ideas, What type of teams are you talking.? We are excited to get something like this going. I had two kids participate in high school racing at Lewistown. DanO

[Mike Machart]

I guess initially I would just like to see the high schoolers race in their own class so they wouldn't have to race against seasoned veterans. I will try and get our kids to get a "team" together with logo and team spirit. I would have team rules for my kids to enforce the importance of safety on the streets and have fund raisers to help the kids get on the track. Eventually it would be fun to have a traveling trophy for bragging rights. Maybe the trophy could be based on round wins, race wins or participation???

[danomt]

IHRA does have a high school class with adequate rules. they have some restrictions on how quick they can be. We have discussed some on teams, but I think we need to get a few racers to start with. The Glasgow shop class had a car about three years ago and took it to Lewitown and they took turns driving. Lets keep thinking, checking other tracks etc and see if we can get something going.. Thanks Dano

[Mike Machart]

The IHRA website has information on this. It is called TCR or teen championship racing. Drivers age 13-17 compete with a co-driver to coach them, must be street legal car or truck, 11.00 or slower in the 1/8 mile and can only compete in TCR and JR dragsters at the same event. I can tell you I'd rather have my 13 year old do this than run a Jr. Dragster. Those little toys get expensive in a hurry!

[danomt]

Teen Championship Racing (TCR)
IHRA has developed a new program for our racers of tomorrow. TCR allows youth ages
13 to 17 the opportunity to race against their peers in full-bodied street vehicles, with
no need to buy a special vehicle. A Co-Driver accompanies the TCR on all runs to act as
a coach and to join in the fun. The TCR program is an inexpensive way for families to get
involved in drag racing and another chance for parents to cultivate a close working
relationship with their children.
TCR participants receive an IHRA Rule Book, a year subscription to DRM magazine, and
excess medical coverage good at IHRA Member Tracks at IHRA-sanctioned events.
All races are conducted over a distance of 1/8 mile with an ET dial-in format, limited to 10.00seconds and slower. TCR drivers may not compete in any other class except Jr. Dragster.
IHRA Member Tracks must apply to be eligible to contest the program. Not every track
may qualify.
Requirements & Specifications
CO-DRIVER
The Co-Driver must be the driver’s parent, legal guardian, or adult 25 years of age or
older, with a valid State driver’s license. The Co-Driver must be seated in the passenger
seat of the vehicle any time the Driver is in the driver’s seat. Co-Driver must drive the
vehicle in the pits, into the staging lanes, and on the return road past the timeslip booth.
DRIVER
Youth ages 13 to 17 (up until they have achieved a State driver’s license) may be licensed
to compete in TCR. All runs must be made with an approved Co-Driver. (see above) A
photocopy of every competitor’s birth certificate, and a signed notarized Original Parent
Confirmation Form and Minor Participant Release must accompany all license applications.
LICENSE: All competitors must be licensed by an IHRA Track Official. The licensing
procedure includes Vehicle Orientation, a Basic Driving Test, and a minimum of six
approved runs, as follows. An Official or Co-Driver must be in the vehicle at all times.
To satisfy Vehicle Orientation requirements, Licensee must demonstrate familiarity with
all of the vehicle’s primary controls such as pedals, steering, shifter, lights, etc. Drivers
must perform this orientation test for each vehicle entered in competition. Licensee must
complete a Basic Driving Test, demonstrating the ability to start the vehicle, select gears,
turn, brake, and stop proficiently.
The Official will make one run with the Licensee as a passenger. This will allow the Official
to determine the safety and eligibility of the vehicle per Elapsed Time limits, and orient the
Licensee to track fixtures, starting line, timing system, return road, timeslip booth, etc.
The Licensee must make a minimum of three (3) approved runs with the Official as codriver.
The Licensee must then make a minimum of three (3) approved runs with the
assigned Co-Driver, witnessed by the Official. If passed, the Official and Co-Driver sign
the driver’s license.
Officials will deny a license to a driver they feel cannot handle the vehicle. Driver may
only drive vehicle from the staging lanes, on the track, and on the return road as far as
the timeslip booth. The Co-Driver must drive the vehicle at all other times.
SAFETY EQUIPMENT
SEAT BELTS: Mandatory for both driver and Co-Driver.
VEHICLE
Must be full-bodied car, truck, van, or SUV. Convertibles, Jeeps, motorcycles and race cars
prohibited. Vehicle must pass IHRA and State safety inspection. Vehicle must be licensed.
Mufflers and street tires mandatory. Race cars prohibited. Electronics prohibited.

This is from the 2008 rulebook, Thanks Dano