17 Year Old Colin Braun Withdrawn From Six Hours At The Glen

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red70mach1

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Daytona Prototype driver Colin Braun was withdrawn from his No. 76 Krohn Racing entry that he shares with Jorg Bergmeister. The Indy Racing League, which they have a contract with Watkins Glen International and that the Rolex Series sharing the bill, stated (The IRL) that no driver under the age of 18 participate in on-track activities.
As a race fan this is not the first time that something like this happened. In 2001 at the season ending NASCAR Truck Race at California Speedway, a then 17yr old Kyle Busch driving for Roush Racing was forced out of the seat because of Marlboro who was sponsoring that weekend because of the Champ Car race. By law no athlete in general under age 18 participate in any activities in a sporting event or racing teams sponsored by a tobacco company. The IRL has at least one team sponsored by a tobacco company; Team Penske ironically it's Marlboro.

Forum Members bring me your opinions.
 
As you can see my avatar, you know who I support :D. I don't have much to say about it, but rules are rules though and in the end there was a race. (Unlike the 2005 U.S. Grand Prix where neither side wanted to give in)
 
If I may paraphrase the honorable Dave Despain, the agreement with IRL and all their tracks is based on U.S. law. I can see both sides and personally haven't the energy or intelligence to make my own opinion, it sucks for Collin (as this situation took away his points lead in Miami) but, you play with the cards you are dealt. However, if you disagree with the law, I'd like to hear your opinion.

m.piedgros
 
This all started from a ridiculous law to have the right to sue tobacco companies. I see excessive litigiousness out of that lawsuit and then when Kyle Busch was forced out his seat in 2001 thats where I drew the line.
 
Whether the driver is an adult or not is irrelevant (this coming from a driver under 18.) If the kid has enough talent to be running in the series, he should be running in the series. I don't see where being an adult plays a role in racing. Not to mention Grand-Am has a lot of 40-50 year old "gentlemen" drivers who have no experience compared to Colin (not to mention he's a heck of a lot quicker.) So, it certainly can't (at least in this case) be a lack of experience holding teens back. I know in NASCAR it is different and experience counts for a whole lot. But if you look at the trend, the elder-statesmen(sp.?) of NASCAR are really just being exploited for dumb rules that have to do with car owner points like the past champions provisional. (Look at Troy Aikman's team!) But with that I'm getting off topic. Admitedly I don't have a problem with the law. However, does NASCAR have any tobacco sponsorship? That could be the reason why <18 cannot compete. This is an issue of Sponsorship vs. Driver (and to a greater extent U.S. law vs. Driver.) Drivers like Dorsey Shroeder, Michael Schumacher, and Ferry Alsonso started pro racing at or below 18. (Dorsey was a pioneer of sorts for that.)

m.piedgros
 
i watched that live and taped it... good race, i feel bad for the kid though. They did the right thing by letting it go and let the race continue without delay
 

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