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Being a cheerleader has never been my forte.

For one thing, I'd look terrible in those cute little outfits, so I don't want to be labeled as a Pahrump Valley Speedway cheerleader ... don't be fooled.

I am not afraid to report what I see, negative or positive, and I will be the first one to report on it.

It is in this vain that I report on the popular "kiddie rides."

I'm cognizant that this will probably make me the most unpopular figure at the track -- excluding announcer, Ray Elam, who is extremely unpopular -- but as a parent and grandparent, I look at all the consequences before putting children in what could be a perilous position.

I have never been an advocate of placing youngsters into a race car that may or may not have jagged edges, less than perfect welds and other items that could cause disfigurement to serious injuries to the unsuspecting child.

I have seen cars that aren't safe for the driver to be racing in, let alone putting children in there with him.

I've always advocated that there has to be a better way to address the intermission, however, not the egg or water balloon tosses, that once were the norm.

According to the track insurance carrier, the track is covered should there be any type of injury to a child during the kiddie rides.

Believe it or not, and I was surprised to learn, that Pahrump Valley Speedway has been used as a model for other tracks incorporating this "half-time" event into their programs.

Hall admitted that he, "would be devastated if anything happened to any one of the children.

"We have done everything, including dictating the speed of the cars as they circle the track," said Hall. "I have a granddaughter, I would be personally destroyed if someone were injured."

He added that "there aren't enough things in Pahrump for kids to do on the weekends. These kids look forward to climbing in their favorite driver's car and making a few laps around the track ... it makes their entire week.

"I have seen children actually cry when we haven't had the kiddie rides ... it means that much to them," said Hall. There's a track in Michigan, Crystal Speedway, that sells programs with winning numbers in them. The winners get to tour the pits and ride around the track in a school bus. Kids can wave at their parents from the safety of the bus.

I realize, of course, there is always a chance of an injury; there's a chance of injury just completing our daily routine.

However, unlike the drivers, who sign a waiver, none of the "kiddie ride" participants sign anything when they enter the front gate.

Drivers, pit crews, and family members that enter the pit must wear a bracelet identifying that they have a reason to be back in an area frequented by haulers, cars, and race cars.

Even I'm required to wear this form of identification while reporting.

I equate the racing surface as an extension of the pits, thus anyone other than track personnel should not be allowed anywhere past the concrete wall without a pit wristband attached.

If a child is injured or cut, who is liable for the injury should the parents wish to file a lawsuit? This is a "sue-happy" society that we live in. Is the driver of the car or the track liable for the injury?

Worse case scenario, both get sued.

Because parents are allowing their children to ride in or on the cars, are they liable for any injury sustained by their children? Hopefully, these are questions that will never have to be addressed by Hall or the track owners.

I had an opportunity to speak to one-time street stock competitor Kelly Monahan, prior to going down to shoot pictures for this article.

He said, "Go easy on what you write about the rides; several of those IMCA drivers got their first laps around this track while sitting on my car or my lap."

In wrapping up this issue or non-issue, depending on what side of the fence you're on, I'd like to place a humorous spin on all of this rhetoric.

Maybe Dave could have a dog or pet show.

More and more pets are showing up at the track for whatever reason, although I haven't been able to determine if the pets understand the difference between a red flag and a green flag.

How about a fashion show?

Every kind of fashion statement can be found floating and flaunted in the stands. Perhaps these "young and I wish I was young again" fashion models could utilize the frontstretch as their own personal runway.

I'd suggest that the track have tattoo contests, but looking over the current crop of drivers, they'd walk away with most of the awards from whatever criteria Dave and Christi might dream up.

I say, "Let's have a bikini contest."

If it works at hockey games in the middle of a Midwest winter, it should float out here in the middle of the desert on a balmy, hot Saturday evening.