Junior - COMP ??? anyone heard of this

[my friends call me Zappy]

Just saw a car on PASS TIME. Driver said it's a new class JR/COMP.
It was a rear engine dragster with a Suzuki GS 1100. I couldn't find it in the nhra ruke book. Is this an IHRA class??

It was NOT a jr/dragster, it was much larger. He was shifting sounded like a 5-speed. Very light 650 with driver. Ran the 1/8th in 6:96 @ 96mph.

Never saw one of these yet. If you want to see 4 your self, Pass Time re-airs tonight at 11:30 on "SPEED" channel.

Anyone got info on these cars???

 

[Butch]

I saw one at Pomona two years ago. It was on display had a snowmobile engine in it. I would love to get my daughter off her MX bike and in one of these.

 

[Lori]

There are a couple in our area that run. They compete in their own class, not with the regular Jrs. Last year at the Jr nationals, there were about 6 or 8 that competed. That is the most I have ever seen. I don't think around here it has taken off like originally hoped. Just my opinion on that.
They have to make licensing passes to drive one along with an NHRA physical, and I think the age starts at 16 for this class. The age limit may still be 18 just like for Jr Dragsters, not positive about that. They are a little longer, but it can still be too small for some of the larger and or taller guys and girls. Both my sons grew out of their cars before they were 18.
I know the two that compete around here are being driven by those that have sponsors or the extra $$ to put into the motor, which to me sounds like a motorcycle. Something similar to a Harley, or at least that is what is sounds like. We didn't get our kids into it, as it is quite a bit more money, and my kids prefer to just go right into super comp or top dragster class. It is supposed to entice those that want the faster speed and are hoping for a leg up if and when they move into super comp or top dragster.

 

[FuelFan13]

Junior Comp is a new NHRA class for kids ages 14-21. It is a 6.90 index class on a Pro tree. The cars have the same SFI chassis spec as any 200 mph dragster and all the same safety equipment and licensing procedure.In addition anyone with a driver’s license can run these cars at adult (big car) events in Pro or Super Pro (with additional electronics).
There are currently 60 cars nationwide and a national championship is staged each year at Bandimere, in Denver. Divisions 5, 6 and 7 have added series for them in 2009. The class is growing quickly, even in today’s economy. The power plants are Suzuki GSXR1000, various Harley based engines, Hayabusa, and a couple of Yamahas. There is a huge selection of aftermarket parts available for these engines. Most cars are running a slider clutch and an electric or air shifter. In the ¼ mile most cars will run around 9 flat @ 150mph. Not a bad ride for a kid and at a cost of around $15,000. It is a relatively inexpensive way to go racing especially when kids can’t compete at national events until they are 18.
My 16-year-old daughter Kaitlyn has been driving one for a year and is having a blast. There is some footage of the cars running, and technical specs, on her website at
Kaitlyn McGee Racing.

 

[my friends call me Zappy]

Thanks folks. Sounds great, I can't wait to see them in person. It's no wonder this class is growing fast.

 

[Lori]

Thank you Chris for a better informed response. We are in division 5, so that is how I have seen the few I have. I thought this had been around for a couple years though, maybe it was just a prototype I have seen before. Lauren Thomas drives both a Jr Dragster and a Jr Comp. She does very well in both, you may know her name.
At any rate, best of luck to your daughter. My daughter also races, and will finish her final year in Jr Dragster and has recently gotten her license for super comp and will run with her brothers. It has been fun to see them move up.

 

[FuelFan13]

You are correct Lori. In 2006 there was 3. In 2007, when Lauren won it had grown to about 16 cars and last year they had 28 entered at Denver, which was quite good considering Junior Dragsters entries fell by 25% with the high gas prices during the summer.
The thing that made the class appeal to me was that we can race the Junior Comp class on JD weekends with all the families that we have raced with for years, and compete in some of the big money Pro class events on other weekends.
The whole JDRL program has been wonderful for the kids and I noticed a couple more of the "graduates", Shawn Langdon and Del Cox Jr, both getting their Top Fuel licenses last week.