Learner Drivers in Rallying

[TKM]

This CAMS Bulletin has been out since the end of October but we only heard about it recently. It has Tristan very excited, but I don't know whether it affects anyone else on here.

[Kagan]

Not a bad idea, although personally I think that it should have to be a Parent or Guardian in the car Navving, rather than just someone with 5 years experience. Then again not sure how comfortable most Nav's would be getting in a car with a Learner unless they new them very well (Most likely a Parent or Gaurdian).

[MarkH]

Originally Posted by TKM

This CAMS Bulletin has been out since the end of October but we only heard about it recently. It has Tristan very excited, but I don't know whether it affects anyone else on here.

We have a member of our club down here who just completed his first rally on L plates. Brendan Reeves, son of Mike.

[Miss]

Originally Posted by Kagan

Not a bad idea, although personally I think that it should have to be a Parent or Guardian in the car Navving, rather than just someone with 5 years experience. Then again not sure how comfortable most Nav's would be getting in a car with a Learner unless they new them very well (Most likely a Parent or Gaurdian).

Actually, the overwhelming majority of young people are perfectly able to perform to their best ability when not in the presence of a legal parent/guardian. In some cases, they perform better at tasks than when a legal guardian is present.

Think footy coaches and over-protective footy Mums.

I think, no wait, I know they have made the best decision in this respect.

As far as learner drivers are concerned... I'd have no problem with getting in a car with, say, Wade Rewell (dirty SKDAC junior) for his first event (despite impending, dramatic protests from the SO), even if he was on his Ls. As the bulletin states, the codriver has to have motorsport experience AND the L-plater must also be experienced... isn't that why so many parents take their kids to khanas before they're even ELIGIBLE for their Ls: to get experience? In the case of my example Wade, he regularly kicks arse at khanas, hillclimbs, whatever he enters actually. In fact I'm glad he's not interested in rallying... he'd show the rest of us up. Grotty stinking inbred SKDAC juniors.

Now... would you really want Sprog of Spac in a car with Daddy for their first event, or someone that actually knows what they're doing and won't cover their eyes and scream "don't hurt the rear bumper, I've only got three spares"?

[Kagan]

Well i look at it this way, there is no way my child would be getting in a rally car for the first time on their L's (whether they have done Khana's or not) with anyone other than myself in the car, (or my old man if he is still Jumping in rally cars at that stage!!!). To be honest, it was nervracking enough competeing in your first event, let alone as a younger person (I was 18 or 19, not on my L's) with a complete stranger in the car who has had a lot of experience, (No offence Ray, it was great experience being in the car with you Navving) But still very uncomoftable for the first few stages, especailly with him telling me to speed up as we are coming up to the mineshaft for my first stage.

[Spac]

I agree with Lizzy - no way would I want to be around to see my fourth spare bumper being risked...

Seriously, in the case of Wade Rewell, his old man is clueless when it comes to rallying - he's quick at khanas, but whenever it comes to rallying he just says "you guys are nuts".
So if Wade got into a car on his Ls, he'd be FAR better off with an experienced rally person next to him.
Remember that dads like Phil or Mark K are the exception, not the rule.

Also, you appear to be assuming that the rallying L-plater has little/no driving experience, which is NOT the intention of this rule. This is for guys like Wade, Tristan, etc.

[TKM]

The plan is for Tristan to compete in as many khanacrosses and rally sprints as he can afford between now and then so he has plenty of experience. Not to mention he’s been racing dirt track and motocross since the age of 5. I’d be happy for someone like Lizzy to get in the car with him while he was on his L’s. I’d want someone that would slap him up the side of the head if he started getting to carried away, yet also encourage him if they thought he wasn’t trying hard enough. However, for some stupid reason, he wants me in the car with him.

[Kagan]

Marc,

Its not a stupid reason, its because he TRUSTS you, and he doesn't have to be nervous around you (well that was my reasoning anyway).

Spac,

No I wasn't assuming it was for people with little to know experience, I was refering to my first event there, where I was not on my L's, but was still very young, I would have felt more comfortable at the Start of the event if Dad was in the car with me rather than Ray. By the end I didn't really mind either way.

I also don't think that Dad and Marc are the exceptions, I would have thought that most L platers wouldn't have thought to much about getting in a rally car unless they have been around that sort of thing their whole life, which would more than likely be from their family. Obviously there will always be different senarios, I am just glad they have done it, so that some people can start nice and young, and potentially have a few more stars in the wings!!!

At what age do those Scandanvian guys start?? Its pretty young isn't it?

[dusty]

Originally Posted by Miss

Actually, the overwhelming majority of young people are perfectly able to perform to their best ability when not in the presence of a legal parent/guardian. In some cases, they perform better at tasks than when a legal guardian is present.

That is one of the reasons I didnt want to nav for Matty. Besides the fact that I didnt have the balls for it, I wanted him to take full responsibility for the car and all the other **** that has to be considered. I think if parents are always with their kids then the kids never have to think outside the square. I imagine if there were any problems for Matt during his rally, the first thing he would do is ask me what to do. If I'm not in the car with him then he is forced to take the responsibility himself and make the best decisions he can. Keep in mind that he has been supported and encouraged by me for the past 5 years so he has had some motorsport experience proir to his first event.
I would have allowed him to drive my coupe back when he had his "L" plates but he wasnt allowed. If they show the maturity, committment and have a history in smaller events then they should be allowed to have a go at an early age.
Thats why I was happy to have Lizzy do the Nav job, because she has the experience and does (did) a bloody good job. I knew she would smack Matty around the head if he was being an idiot and I had no problems if this is what she chose to do. I was there to support and help him at service but the rest was up to him and Lizzy.
Kids deserve a go and must be given responsibilities if they are to learn and grow emotionally. If supported by their parents in events like Kharna's and sprints and have shown maturity along the way, then its my opinion that they should be allowed the opportunity.