We defer all race decisions to BITD. They are paid to sanction the race and out of respect for them and their experience in running races we allow them to make those types of decisions and expect them to do so. With that said, they do not tell us how to film for TV lol
Good answer!
I think what IYL is suggesting is not realistic. For
every manufacturer that participates in the BITD contingency program and/or event sponsorship to boycott BITD, or force their hand so to speak is ridiculous. To hold them personally responsible for not stepping up and protesting before an accident occurs? Well, that's just plain ignorant.
This ain't the effen ACLU! If he doesn't agree with BITD's decision to allow a consented, experienced 8 year old to race, then he alone can boycott by no longer participating in BITD events. If he is
not a participating member of BITD, then it is
none of his business as to the calculated decisions a promoter makes regarding the daily operations of his organization. Period. End of story.
If an unfortunate incident occurred between the young driver and any other entity adjacent to him, that would be a penalty that BITD and RG would have to absorb, and live with. Any post incident direction off road racing may take is purely speculation, and should not be entertained at this time. To say that age supersedes seat time when it comes to the ability to safely handle a race car with the help of a worthy co-driver is ludicrous.
Here comes an analogous mouthful:
If 11 and12 year old prodigies are cognizant enough to already be far beyond a high school level of education, and are currently enrolled in college pre med courses, academically passing up men twice their age, then why is it so hard to comprehend that an 8 year old, who most likely spent over half of his life learning to drive a multitude of performance and race oriented vehicles, have the aptitude and maturity to participate in a desert race under the close supervision and direction of an experienced adult? Hmmm, I ask?
If it were two 8 year old kids simultaneously acting as driver and co-driver in the same car, then yes, there would be good reason for alarm. Oh, and Just to touch on the topic of trading paint with a 4 year, pre-pubecent driver:
IDK that RG expects anyone to dance around his son during a race. I'm guessing he expects people to challenge Max if he is in their way, and
respects the fact if they do.
Here, lets shed some light on this "How young is too young" question, and see if we can't widen the perspective. Ask Rob Mac, or Andy Mac (or Ronald Mac for that matter), how many decisions they
unilaterally make during the course of an event, and how many are decided based upon the input from the co-driver. I'm pretty sure that with the gobs of experience they possess, they still rely on their co-drivers to help guide them through the terrain. "Hard braking" here, or "sharp turn" there. "Gas stop in 2 miles". "Oil pressure has been running low". Whatever the call. Participation in today's off road racing arena is a joint effort in the car, and a team effort collectively. Any decisions that are too overwhelming for a driver make on his own (and there are many of them), will have the benefit of the immediate assistance by his trusty cohorts. So, what's the difference? The kid can gas, steer, and brake as good as most he competes against, and relies on the help of his team mates to make it to the checkers.
I think Joey brought up a good topic that needed discussing, and IYL has already formed a firm opinion, blocking out any reasonable efforts to discuss anything at all.
For the record, in posting this opinion there has been no consideration given regarding the promoters decision to allow or not allow a vehicle to race based upon (non) compliance with safety or competition regulations. The obvious crux here is whether or not an 8 year old possesses the ability to safely drive a race car in a BITD event, and whether or not he should have been, or should be allowed to, compete against adults in said arena.
