minimum age limits

[Les]

Are our age limits too high, too low or about right?

We have Jonathon Cocker in Porsches, Tom Shrimpton the youngest GT driver, our own Tom Chilton and Tom Boardman who started at an early age. In single seaters Paston Racing had to send their young driver abroad because he is too young to race here.

Should we allow youngsters in regardless of age but on ability instead?

[Jamie P-E]

Good point Les.


At moment the youngest is 16 unless you are in the T-Car series.

I feel that any driver under the age of 17 should under go additional tuition on the safety side of motorsport.

what does anyone else think?

[cos]

Aren't BMW wanting to lower the age limit to 15 for Formula BMW...?

[Les]

It seems silly to me to make talent sit on the sidelines waiting for a birthday. Some of these kids have been racing Karts for years and can't move into a Clio whereas I could get in one tomorrow (figuratively)

But on the other would they have the maturity to race against much stronger opposition?

Do we need what F1 has - the ability to look at it case by case (as happened with Kimi)

[V6.]

bit of topic but how does a 16 year old get the dosh to run a £250000 porsche gt2.

[Alan]

I guess if the talent and maturity are there then there may not need to be a minimum.
But realistically, there does need to be some sort of growing up scale for motor racing surely?

As an aside V6, the Porsches in the Carrera Cup are GT3's (the Safety Car was a GT2) and you need £150,000 or so for a season - not exactly small change for anyone (let alone a teenager), but quite reasonable really for what you get.

[The Stig]

Les, I'd prefer to see more drivers like, Anthony Reid, David Leslie and the older more experienced people. Sure, youngsters have to start somewhere, but compared to AR and DL, drivers like Chilton for example, don't tend to excite in races because they haven't acquired much experience or are blown away by those who have. There are so many junior formulae for youngsters to cut their teeth. Wealthy parents cannot guarantee success for kids with lots of amibition but without the talent to match. Youngsters with ability won't lose it waiting a few years and increasing their skills

[Les]

Youngsters with ability won't lose it waiting a few years and increasing their skills

but you could say - here's a team - they have found the next Schuey or Muller winning everything in Karts or Tcars and they want to race him in the next formula up and they can't...

[Reynard]

Well, we've got Oli Playle in ASCAR (18 years old) and quite frankly the lad's a bit of a disaster area... He's hit the wall plenty enough and caused / been part of a few too many incidents for his own good.

Inexperience and a 500 bhp V8 ASCAR do not good bedfellows make.

[Paul Rayner]

Originally posted by Les
but you could say - here's a team - they have found the next Schuey or Muller winning everything in Karts or Tcars and they want to race him in the next formula up and they can't...
Well he'll just have to keep winning everything for a year or two then. Formula One and Touring Cars will still be there if he has to wait a year or two, and you've got to draw the line somewhere.

[touring fan]

It seems silly to allow someone to race round a track at high speed who isn't allowed to drive (probably) less powerfull cars at slower speeds on the roads. Keep the limits I say.

[The Stig]

Les, I take your point entirely, but consider the fitness levels and phsyical strength required. Prodigys are plentiful in many areas, but let the best of todays youngsters finish their schooling, and then try and forge a career in motorsport I say.

[kevin ritson]

Personally, I think we should have a minimum age of 30. Then I'll have a chance!!

[The Stig]

Forget the youngsters, let's start a " TOCA Forum Seniors Tour"