Best place to take a 7 year old for their motorsport event?

[gangzoom]

We live in Leicester, lucky enough to have gone to Singapore/Spa to watch F1. Our 7 year old has now agreed to go and watch a motor race with me .

British GP is obviously not for another year, I've been to Silverstone and Donington quite a few times. I see BTCC is at Silverstone in a few weeks, is it a good event for kids?

[Oneball]

I’d take them to a club type meet rather than a national championship. You’ll see just as good racing, they’ll be less crowds and you’ll be able to look over the cars and I’m sure someone will let your kid sit in their race car. As you’re in Leicester, Mallory Park or Donington would be my choice.

We’re at Donington on 17th with Bernie’s V8s

[mike80]

gangzoom said:

We live in Leicester, lucky enough to have gone to Singapore/Spa to watch F1. Our 7 year old has now agreed to go and watch a motor race with me .

British GP is obviously not for another year, I've been to Silverstone and Donington quite a few times. I see BTCC is at Silverstone in a few weeks, is it a good event for kids?

For the bigger events there is usually a decent amount of off track stuff for the kids at Silverstone. Various stands, some rides etc. Plus the BTCC races in particular are usually pretty action packed. No offence to club racing, but I think for 7 year olds that would hold their attention more.

[bucksmanuk]

Santa Pod
Top Fuel
7 - 10 September 2023
Job done

[stevemcs]

Our nephews come to the btcc at Donnington, we camp so pitch up trackside, they watch the racing - usually picking cars by colour or numbers, in between they sit in the caravan

[shirt]

when i was that age we used to go watch truck racing. this was the steve parrish era so fairly high profile at the time. there would be tin top support races, tractor pulling competitions, all sorts of static displays, then the power and carnage that is truck racing. as a kid it was wondrous, as an adult i expect it would be too!

[CKY]

bucksmanuk said:

Santa Pod
Top Fuel
7 - 10 September 2023
Job done

I got taken to one of these events as a child - was begging to leave within 15 minutes and have never once returned.

Going fast in a straight line is boring to do yourself, even more so to spectate, and once you've seen/felt one ground-shaking straight-piped V8 throwing straight-ethanol in to the air then you've seen them all. All imho of course.

[GlobalRacer]

Another vote for a club meeting. Much better atmosphere and less crowds plus the cars are far more accessible. I love talking to the kids at meetings and letting them sit in the car for photos etc.

[entropy]

Another vote for club meeting. Much more engaging for grooming the next gen as the pit and paddock and is much more friendly and welcoming. My niece is interested in science and engineering

[Koln-RS]

Agree with a Club meeting - not too much travel, or queuing, plenty of access - and a circuit with a bit of soul and good viewing.
So, not Silverstone

[geeks]

Another vote for a club meet, Donington is very good for this as are most of the UK circuits, Silverstone isn't as fun to go to its flat wide and open but you can't get to many of the good viewing areas however its cool when you can go into the garages and work out which one had which F1 team in etc

[sjg]

I took my 6 year old to one of the 750mc days at Brands Hatch, he enjoyed it - they don't really care if they're slower or quieter, although you might still want to take ear defenders if you're up close. 750mc have loads of classes so they run a tight schedule without a lot of time in between races. Take a packed lunch and snacks and camping chairs so you can wander about but have a sit-down for 10 mins or so for a break. Lots to see in the paddocks too.

Once you know they're keen you can try one of the bigger events but with more crowds you might struggle to move around and still get a good viewing spot, plus you won't be so willing to write it off and go home if they're tired by mid afternoon.

[coppice]

If you want to keep him really entertained , forget circuit racing . Try a round of the British Autograss Championship - constant action, none of those endless delays which infects most circuit racing , short , action packed races, wheelies , sideways action and shunts .

If it has to be racing , not Silverstone ,which is enough to put the poor kid off racing for life , and Donington is also very poor compared to how it used to be, with spectators a very long way from the track. Mallory is great , and Cadwell is even better .

[Andy 308GTB]

Stock Cars & Banger Racing.
http://www.spedeworth.co.uk/venue.php?name=Northam...

It's not all Destruction Derby stuff. It would get any 7 year olds attention

[andrewcliffe]

If he enjoys watching BTCC on the TV, then BTCC at Silverstone would be a good thing, and may well get drivers autographs / photo ops - and in my experience, most teams are welcoming to kids

Edited by andrewcliffe on Monday 4th September 20:19

[Thundersports]

A well supported Historic meeting with lots of different shaped cars and noises. The Historic scene is generally friendlier and more laid back. A big no no would be to go on a cold wet day or either as it will put them off for life.

[williamp]

Ear defenders!

If you choose donington PM me. There is a very child friendly solution available

[Robmarriott]

I’d agree with banger racing. It’s cheap to get in, there’s lots of noise and action, the races are short and frantic and there’s lots of them throughout the day. If you’re lucky there will be a caravan race too which is quite a spectacle.

It’s a bit grubby though, so that’s something to bear in mind.

My first motorsport experience was drag racing and then shortly after that was banger racing. They’re both things which I still get pleasure from 30 years later.

[ChevronB19]

Oneball said:

I’d take them to a club type meet rather than a national championship. You’ll see just as good racing, they’ll be less crowds and you’ll be able to look over the cars and I’m sure someone will let your kid sit in their race car. As you’re in Leicester, Mallory Park or Donington would be my choice.

We’re at Donington on 17th with Bernie’s V8s

At that age, I’d agree, especially if your sprog isn’t already a motorsport fan.

You can get close up to the cars, spectating areas and if you ask (sometimes you would even be offered) the vast majority would be happy for said small person to sit in their car and explain stuff, I always do.

[vaud]

Another idea: hillclimb

Low cost, paddocks are normally open and very friendly - if you ask nicely they can probably get to sit in a car or two. Normally good bacon sandwiches and if they get bored and wants to leave then it's not a big cost.

End of the season but still a few on.