Best race for 12yo?
Discussion
Any advice appreciated and apologies for the long post
My 12yo son had been looking forward to going to his first F1 race this year at the Hungarian GP. This was via my Ex’s BF who had organised it, accom, flights, tickets etc. My son has also become an obsessive McLaren fan (influenced by Ex’s BF). Last weekend my son was telling me how excited he was, insisted on wearing his McLaren hoodie everywhere etc.
Fast forward to today and my ex has now split with her BF who has promptly cancelled everything. My son is gutted. So I’m determined to get him to a race if I can. I haven’t been to a live race since the late 80’s in Adelaide so I’m a bit out of touch. What advice is out there for where we can go? I’d like him to experience as much as possible and get as close to the action as I can. I know it’s virtually impossible to get close to pits etc these days but he’s very interested in the tech side. What do the PH sages advise?
I’ll take a loan if necessary. I just want him to have a great experience as he’s having such a hard time at the moment (my son, not my ex’s BF!).
Thanks in advance.
My 12yo son had been looking forward to going to his first F1 race this year at the Hungarian GP. This was via my Ex’s BF who had organised it, accom, flights, tickets etc. My son has also become an obsessive McLaren fan (influenced by Ex’s BF). Last weekend my son was telling me how excited he was, insisted on wearing his McLaren hoodie everywhere etc.
Fast forward to today and my ex has now split with her BF who has promptly cancelled everything. My son is gutted. So I’m determined to get him to a race if I can. I haven’t been to a live race since the late 80’s in Adelaide so I’m a bit out of touch. What advice is out there for where we can go? I’d like him to experience as much as possible and get as close to the action as I can. I know it’s virtually impossible to get close to pits etc these days but he’s very interested in the tech side. What do the PH sages advise?
I’ll take a loan if necessary. I just want him to have a great experience as he’s having such a hard time at the moment (my son, not my ex’s BF!).
Thanks in advance.
Spa is an easy one from the UK, it is a big circuit though so pick your spots (get seats). I doubt you'll get close to any tech stuff without paddock club (£££) or someone on the inside.
There is always silverstone...
Is it F1 in particular of Motorsport? Le Mans is a fabulous event and there is an open pitlane on fridays, loads of stuff going on.
D
There is always silverstone...
Is it F1 in particular of Motorsport? Le Mans is a fabulous event and there is an open pitlane on fridays, loads of stuff going on.
D
M3ax said:
Any advice appreciated and apologies for the long post
My 12yo son had been looking forward to going to his first F1 race this year at the Hungarian GP. This was via my Ex’s BF who had organised it, accom, flights, tickets etc. My son has also become an obsessive McLaren fan (influenced by Ex’s BF). Last weekend my son was telling me how excited he was, insisted on wearing his McLaren hoodie everywhere etc.
Fast forward to today and my ex has now split with her BF who has promptly cancelled everything. My son is gutted. So I’m determined to get him to a race if I can. I haven’t been to a live race since the late 80’s in Adelaide so I’m a bit out of touch. What advice is out there for where we can go? I’d like him to experience as much as possible and get as close to the action as I can. I know it’s virtually impossible to get close to pits etc these days but he’s very interested in the tech side. What do the PH sages advise?
I’ll take a loan if necessary. I just want him to have a great experience as he’s having such a hard time at the moment (my son, not my ex’s BF!).
Thanks in advance.
My 12yo son had been looking forward to going to his first F1 race this year at the Hungarian GP. This was via my Ex’s BF who had organised it, accom, flights, tickets etc. My son has also become an obsessive McLaren fan (influenced by Ex’s BF). Last weekend my son was telling me how excited he was, insisted on wearing his McLaren hoodie everywhere etc.
Fast forward to today and my ex has now split with her BF who has promptly cancelled everything. My son is gutted. So I’m determined to get him to a race if I can. I haven’t been to a live race since the late 80’s in Adelaide so I’m a bit out of touch. What advice is out there for where we can go? I’d like him to experience as much as possible and get as close to the action as I can. I know it’s virtually impossible to get close to pits etc these days but he’s very interested in the tech side. What do the PH sages advise?
I’ll take a loan if necessary. I just want him to have a great experience as he’s having such a hard time at the moment (my son, not my ex’s BF!).
Thanks in advance.
I'd second Spa. Drive over, camp, spend a few days and make sure you get grandstand seats. Because it's going to rain. I've been there 5 times and have yet to have a fully dry weekend. The massive benefit to camping there is (a) it's fun (b) you can walk to the circuit in about 10 minutes.
I did the same several times with my son when he was about that age and it was great fun, esp at the campsite - one visit in particular had lots of mad Dutch guys with fireworks right next to us with a mobile generator and a penchant for all night Status Quo. They were perfectly happy to hand out as much beer as I wanted to drink so that was fine with me. They also fed him barbeque and chatted about nerdy car stuff so he was happy.
The race itself is just part of the weekend and so long as you're ready for rain - it will always appear at some point in the weekend - you'll have an awesome time. Take a change of clothes, a load of beer and a relaxed attitude and you'll both have a really great trip.
I did the same several times with my son when he was about that age and it was great fun, esp at the campsite - one visit in particular had lots of mad Dutch guys with fireworks right next to us with a mobile generator and a penchant for all night Status Quo. They were perfectly happy to hand out as much beer as I wanted to drink so that was fine with me. They also fed him barbeque and chatted about nerdy car stuff so he was happy.
The race itself is just part of the weekend and so long as you're ready for rain - it will always appear at some point in the weekend - you'll have an awesome time. Take a change of clothes, a load of beer and a relaxed attitude and you'll both have a really great trip.
Monza, I took my 8 years old there for his first GP. Italian atmosphere is just great and very respectful with children.
I wouldn't recommend SPA with a child unless you manage to get a good ticket where you don't have to deal with the drunken "orange army".
Spanish GP is great but not very entertaining on the track.
Monaco can be cheap if you plan well and plenty of supercars around it if he loves his cars.
I wouldn't recommend SPA with a child unless you manage to get a good ticket where you don't have to deal with the drunken "orange army".
Spanish GP is great but not very entertaining on the track.
Monaco can be cheap if you plan well and plenty of supercars around it if he loves his cars.
Monaco, it might sound expensive and although the tickets are, everything else can be done cheaply. You can also get no closer to the cars in Europe and if you pick a good seat in the swimming pool area onto Sir Anthony Noakes you can get within "Hi Lewis" distance to all the drivers and teams.
longblackcoat said:
I'd second Spa. Drive over, camp, spend a few days and make sure you get grandstand seats. Because it's going to rain. I've been there 5 times and have yet to have a fully dry weekend. The massive benefit to camping there is (a) it's fun (b) you can walk to the circuit in about 10 minutes.
I did the same several times with my son when he was about that age and it was great fun, esp at the campsite - one visit in particular had lots of mad Dutch guys with fireworks right next to us with a mobile generator and a penchant for all night Status Quo. They were perfectly happy to hand out as much beer as I wanted to drink so that was fine with me. They also fed him barbeque and chatted about nerdy car stuff so he was happy.
The race itself is just part of the weekend and so long as you're ready for rain - it will always appear at some point in the weekend - you'll have an awesome time. Take a change of clothes, a load of beer and a relaxed attitude and you'll both have a really great trip.
Spa is very big, and can be very wet. I think do Austria, viewing much better and you can go to the amazing RB museum. I did the same several times with my son when he was about that age and it was great fun, esp at the campsite - one visit in particular had lots of mad Dutch guys with fireworks right next to us with a mobile generator and a penchant for all night Status Quo. They were perfectly happy to hand out as much beer as I wanted to drink so that was fine with me. They also fed him barbeque and chatted about nerdy car stuff so he was happy.
The race itself is just part of the weekend and so long as you're ready for rain - it will always appear at some point in the weekend - you'll have an awesome time. Take a change of clothes, a load of beer and a relaxed attitude and you'll both have a really great trip.
Monza would be my choice. Atmosphere is amazing, locals very friendly. Can be done cheaply with the GA tickets. It's a hard race to follow even from the good seats, more of an experience, then watch the race afterwards. You can stay up at Como and take a fast train in for a few euros then there is a free transfer.
Or stay in the city and eat oodles of nice Italian.
Or stay in the city and eat oodles of nice Italian.
Sounds amazing and I don’t want to put a downer on this - but unless you’re going to the parties the night before/after - going to an F1 race abroad can be fairly boring. LeMans was a good shout - more than just the race, what about Goodwood FoS - mega close to F1 cars and sounds from all the ages.
Piginapoke said:
longblackcoat said:
I'd second Spa. Drive over, camp, spend a few days and make sure you get grandstand seats. Because it's going to rain. I've been there 5 times and have yet to have a fully dry weekend. The massive benefit to camping there is (a) it's fun (b) you can walk to the circuit in about 10 minutes.
I did the same several times with my son when he was about that age and it was great fun, esp at the campsite - one visit in particular had lots of mad Dutch guys with fireworks right next to us with a mobile generator and a penchant for all night Status Quo. They were perfectly happy to hand out as much beer as I wanted to drink so that was fine with me. They also fed him barbeque and chatted about nerdy car stuff so he was happy.
The race itself is just part of the weekend and so long as you're ready for rain - it will always appear at some point in the weekend - you'll have an awesome time. Take a change of clothes, a load of beer and a relaxed attitude and you'll both have a really great trip.
Spa is very big, and can be very wet. I think do Austria, viewing much better and you can go to the amazing RB museum. I did the same several times with my son when he was about that age and it was great fun, esp at the campsite - one visit in particular had lots of mad Dutch guys with fireworks right next to us with a mobile generator and a penchant for all night Status Quo. They were perfectly happy to hand out as much beer as I wanted to drink so that was fine with me. They also fed him barbeque and chatted about nerdy car stuff so he was happy.
The race itself is just part of the weekend and so long as you're ready for rain - it will always appear at some point in the weekend - you'll have an awesome time. Take a change of clothes, a load of beer and a relaxed attitude and you'll both have a really great trip.
And there are frites, mayo and interesting beers.
I took both of my sons to Silverstone for their respective 16th birthdays (and then again a few years later for both of them)
On each visit, the rather partisan crowd cheering Lewis on made for an amzing atmosphere that still gives me goosebumps to this day.
Given that we should have three brits at the sharp(ish) end of the field this year, I'd say Silverstone is an event not to be missed.
Spend the extra on a covered grandstand though - general admission can be a real pain to get (and keep) a good viewing point and it rains almsot as often as Spa....
On each visit, the rather partisan crowd cheering Lewis on made for an amzing atmosphere that still gives me goosebumps to this day.
Given that we should have three brits at the sharp(ish) end of the field this year, I'd say Silverstone is an event not to be missed.
Spend the extra on a covered grandstand though - general admission can be a real pain to get (and keep) a good viewing point and it rains almsot as often as Spa....
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Some good advice on Monaco from this old thread.
Some good advice on Monaco from this old thread.
vaud said:
Monza would be my choice. Atmosphere is amazing, locals very friendly. Can be done cheaply with the GA tickets. It's a hard race to follow even from the good seats, more of an experience, then watch the race afterwards. You can stay up at Como and take a fast train in for a few euros then there is a free transfer.
Or stay in the city and eat oodles of nice Italian.
If you do Monza, you can get a train from the central milan to the track but going back is more akin to the Japanese subway stuffing.Or stay in the city and eat oodles of nice Italian.
Not sure about other tracks, but you can do a pit walk for 15 euros (?) before quali or the race starts. Obviously cars are in the pits and sectioned off but can still be seen.
And taxi drivers in milan step it up a notch and everywhere becomes a race track.
If you do do Monza, get a set in the stands opposite the first corner as you get a screen to watch the race.
As a dad of two motorsport obsessed kids, I can't rate the Silverstone Classic highly enough. The access to the paddock is great and the races are short enough to keep young ones interested without getting bored or lost in the action. Live F1 races are awesome but require a lot of walking, waiting around and dealing with large crowds, not always ideal with younger kids.
MissingFlags said:
As a dad of two motorsport obsessed kids, I can't rate the Silverstone Classic highly enough. The access to the paddock is great and the races are short enough to keep young ones interested without getting bored or lost in the action. Live F1 races are awesome but require a lot of walking, waiting around and dealing with large crowds, not always ideal with younger kids.
Bring them to a round of the British Hillclimb championship, you can wander round the paddock and stand on the startLine, 10ft from 700bhp being unleashed up the hill. Never gets boring.Gassing Station | Formula 1 | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff