We’re in a group of 3 Cadet families with kids that turn 13, 12, and 11 in February and March. My understanding is that this means the soon-to-be 13 and 12 year-olds could advance to Junior for next season (assuming an April season start) next year if they wanted to, or all 3 could continue to run in Cadet given all are 12 or younger as of Jan 1.
All 3 drivers have between 1 and 2 years of club racing experience, and all are just getting to the point that they can consistently challenge for podiums and the odd win at local club races.
We’re having a great conversation about plans for next year, and whether the older two should move up or stay put and continue to race with the youngest. All 3 kids want to start spreading wings beyond local club racing and run some regional events at different tracks in 2023.
None of the kids are very big, so all 3 still carry 20-40 lbs of lead to make Cadet weight… so that isn’t pushing anyone into Junior.
Question for those with more experience developing drivers - what would you do in these circumstances? Let’s assume cost of buying full-size chassis/spares/etc is not a factor. Move up to more power and aggressive teenage competitors in Junior and develop skills there, or continue to hone craft in Cadet given there is still plenty of growth for them since they aren’t yet dominating that class at club level?
Interested into tapping into the KartPulse hivemind to help some newer karting families
I would input that having them move up to Junior, which is a large jump to a full-size kart and more aggressive racing, while at the same time wanting to move up to regional racing, could be a really big transition. They might be better served staying in cadet one more year and doing regional stuff in a class they are familiar with.
That’s just my opinion though. You need to decide what your goals are. To go faster and learn a new class? Or experience a higher level of competition? I would pick one of those rather than trying to do both in one year.
I was joking, but TJ is spot on. Personally, I would stay cadet, dabble a little in regional racing and be that much faster when you do make the switch to Juniors.
It sounds like you guys are having fun and doing well!
I agree with TJ. Moving up at the club level likely wouldn’t be a problem. However, I would give the kids a better chance of success at regional events by staying in the cadet class.
I was going to say the same thing as Charles, if they have 20-40 lbs of ballast in cadet, then I would stay in cadet and not move up until either they have very little ballast, or they age out. I’ve had to move my daughter to juniors, then seniors, because she had no ballast and was overweight, along with being tall in cadet. It’s always best to get comfortable with what you’re doing before moving up if you can.
So I am in the same situation, but I have an 11 year old and 13 year old, 11 in Jr Light 265lbs limit and hes right on, the 13 year old is in Jr 300 lbs limit and hes 27lbs over! I want to move them both up, not to concerned with the younger son moving up, but the 13 year old will have to race senior @ 375lbs. Im up in Canada so I have the winter to decide… Any thoughts?
My concern with moving the 13yo up to senior is they’d be racing against mostly adults, assuming that’s the makeup of that class, and that’s a whole different animal than racing with kids/teens. Adults tend to have a different way of handling themselves on and off the track when there is a disagreement on driving etiquette and ability.
