Drag Racing is one of the few sports a family can participate in together. Many memories are made at the track and that starts with Junior Dragsters. The quality of time spent together as a parent with a child and a child with a parent in a competitive sport is priceless. It takes a team to operate a Junior. We here at Keystone Raceway Park have multiple families that are three generations deep on a Raceday. Giving our young boys and girls the opportunity to be a part of the sport has a lot of meaning. Not only do we look to our youth as the future, but some want to carry on the family tradition while others may want to start a different tradition. With the following two programs, this allows all kids, ages 6-17 years old to participate in either a Junior Dragster or a full size vehicle.

The WDRA Junior Dragster program allows drivers aged 6-17 to race in half-scale Dragsters, Funny Cars and Roadster chassis in a controlled environment long before they can obtain a state driver’s license. Each driver has to make test passes to obtain a license to operate a racecar. Using a five-horsepower, single-cylinder engine, a Jr. Dragster can go as fast as 90 mph and as quick as 7.50 seconds in an eighth-mile, though younger age groups are restricted to slower times/speeds. The starting cost of a new basic Jr. Dragster is about $5,000. Though it may not go from 0 to 90 mph right away, investing in a basic Jr. Dragster is a great way to get started. You’ll learn the basics of the sport and still get moving right along at about 45 mph. In addition, WDRA requires that racers have necessary items such as an approved helmet, jacket, neck collar, and gloves. All drivers must also wear long pants and arm restraints while behind the wheel of their Jr. Dragster. Depending on the style of the items you choose, these items will cost about $500.

LICENSE DESIGNATIONS

D/JD (12.90): Ages 6-7 and restricted to 12.90 seconds or slower. If a competitor runs quicker
than 12.70, one warning may be issued. A second instance may result in disqualification.
Competitors running 12.50 or quicker may be disqualified without warning.

C/JD (11.90): Ages 7-9 and restricted to 11.90 seconds or slower. If a competitor runs quicker
than 11.70, one warning may be issued. A second instance may result in disqualification.
Competitors running 11.50 or quicker may be disqualified without warning.

B/JD (8.90): Ages 10-17 and restricted to 8.90 seconds or slower. If a competitor runs quicker
than 8.70, one warning may be issued. A second instance may result in disqualification.
Competitors running 8.50 or quicker may be disqualified without warning.

A/JD (7.90): Ages 12-17 and restricted to 7.90 seconds or slower. If a competitor runs quicker
than 7.70 or faster than 85 mph, one warning may be issued. A second instance may result
in disqualification. Any competitor running quicker than 7.50 may be disqualified for the
remainder of the event without warning and may lose their competition license for 6-
months.

AA/JD (7.50): Ages 16 to 17 and restricted 7.50 or slower. Driver must have a valid state or
provincial driver’s license and make the required passes prior to being issued an AA/JD
license. One warning will be issued if a competitor runs 90 mph or faster or an elapsed time
of 7.40 or quicker. A second instance at the same event they may result in disqualification.
Running 95 mph or faster or 7.30 or quicker, may result in immediate disqualification and
license suspension at the discretion of the WDRA.

WDRA Junior license holders will be issued a license ID decal. This decal will be located on the top hoop of the roll bar. This decal will let the track officials know that the driver has a WDRA license as well as what the dial-in limits of that license is. This will be a quick and easy visual ID for track tech and head of staging officials to us.

WDRA recently introduced their new youth racing program for 13–17 year old’s that will give teenage boys and girls the opportunity to race against their peers in full-bodied street vehicles with an adult co-driver as their teammate that combines racing and car safety. This is an inexpensive program to help meet the demand for teenagers wanting to drive fast but, best of all, it’s a way for families to use drag racing as a learning tool and a conduit for family bonding. Teens from 13 to 17 can learn the basics of drag racing and compete against other drivers of their age and skill level in a controlled and supervised environment without the need to spend any money on purpose built drag racing vehicles.

An adult “co-driver” rides in the passenger seat during all runs to supervise and coach the driver and to participate in the fun.  Teen Racing uses the family’s daily driver as the competition vehicle so no additional expense is required.  

All races are limited to 1/8 mile and elapsed times are restricted to 9.00 seconds and slower as Teen Racing is about learning the sport enjoying the experience. Junior dragster is the only other class that licensed Teen Racing drivers may compete in. Teen Racing drivers must join WDRA and complete the license application through their local facility.  Owners or a designated official will test the applicant in a driving and control skills.  The applicant will make licensing runs under the supervision of the official.  Once the licensing paperwork is complete and the applicant is issued a WDRA Teen Racing license, the driver will receive a WDRA Rule Book and excess medical coverage good at all member tracks during sanctioned events