Regular readers know that I believe kids can and should be involved in motorsports as early as they show interest. Here in Ontario, kids can start racing karts the year they turn 8 and for those who are into two wheeled action they start riding motocross at 5. Not everyone can be a driver though. As every driver will agree, without enthusiastic crew behind them, there would be no racing. There are so many jobs in the paddock, that even the little ones can have a go, even if they are handing out sandwiches.
The young lad you see above was roughly 12 years old. He was hard at work in the Goodyear compound cleaning and marking slicks for the NASCAR Canada teams. You can pretty much guarantee that this guy will one day be earning his keep working in the big leagues.
If memory serves, the leader of Team California’s Best began his long racing career slinging tires for a funny guy’s racing team.
4 comments ↓
Yes’sir… That brought back some awesome memories. On the day that Dick Smothers asked me if I would like to help his team out for the weekend I asked, “How much do I have to pay?”
Good article.nice consideration about children’s interest in automobile.
Yep, that has to be the coolest summer job ever for a young gear head.
Well second best anyway… I remember calling the Playboy Club in San Francisco when I was 19 and telling them I was willing to work for free. For some reason they never accepted. Probably all the drool on my chin.
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