Kids burn up track

By Glen Atwell
JUNIOR quarter midget car racing will soon supply Australian speedways with its future superstars.
The new race series is dedicated to allowing children as young as five to burn up the track in a safe and secure environment.
The quarter midget vehicles are smaller scale versions of actual open wheel racers and are strictly built with safety in mind.
Fully fledged roll cages mean the cars are safer than gokarts and multipoint seat harnesses keep the driver securely fastened in the cockpit.
Junior Quarter Midgets Australia (JQMA) is the governing body of the new race series that was introduced to Australia a little more than two years ago.
Experienced Pakenham sprint car driver Rob Richardson has decked out his two children, Bobby, nine and Riley, six, with the new quarter midget cars and said it was great to be able to balance safety with speed.
“The kids race at Avalon Raceway about every second week during the summer season,” he said.
“They’re racing on oval tracks and only reach speeds of about 40km down the straights.”
Mr Richardson said the Honda engines inside the vehicles produced 5.5 horsepower and provided a safe means to introduce young children into motorsport.
“Bobby and Riley love racing, it gets them involved with the mechanical and maintenance aspects and at the end of the day, it’s a very safe sport,” he said.
A quality, secondhand junior quarter midget car can be set up for about $5000.
Brand new models can cost anywhere up to $8000.
Racing cars at a young age also provides participants with a genuine knowledge of handling and responsibility, long before they sit tests for probationary licences.
Mr Richardson said in terms of just controlling a vehicle, the experience was invaluable.
“Racing at a young age tends to get rid of the hoon in drivers, it gets it out of the system,” he said.
For further details and to get involved with junior quarter midget racing, visit the www.jqma.com.au website.