PCA club racing is coming to a nearby track (College Station) in 4 weeks. My lovely and talented wife will be in California, and I'll have the two kids (3.5y, a budding car nut; and 4 mos., yet to reveal his passions) to myself.

Any thoughts for taking small kids to races?

Thanks,
Mark.

 

Bring sippy cups and food. I toted my 5 and 3 yr olds to an autocross event last summer. They were interested in the cars for about 20 minutes and then just wanted to run around throwing weeds at each other. Just assume they'll have the attention span (at least the older one) you're accustomed to and plan accordingly.

 

I agree with Dave, bring food and toys because they'll be bored in no time.

 

Mark,
I take my 23 month old son to various club events (mostly BMW CCA stuff) and he seems to have a fine time. I do, however, take plenty of food, water, milk, change(s) of clothes, and distractors (toys, videos if you have the capability...I don't) and a health supply of patience. I tell myself that this will pay-off in dividends...expose him early to my passions (German cars, golf, aviation, science & nature - hiking/camping, travel) and good things will happen. One of these days I hope that we will be able to restore a PCar or a BMW together. Bottom-line....take your kids to the races and have a great time!

 

Mark after about 20 minutes WATCHING Porsche club " racing " I get very cranky , and need a nap ............... It seems so fast when you are doing it ; far too slow when watching it . It is not a very kid friendly event . Your big boy would need to be on a teether just to be safe and the noise level of 911 engines unmuffled is too much for both . You and they (but probably not Moma ) will be much happier with a sitter .............

 

"ok, you said a slight hesitation at 8k?..Ill check it out"


The grin sums up the day he had.


Marks new crew cheif, keeping an eye on things.
"Come on guys, righty tighty...lefty loosey how many times do i have to tell you"


Time to test the new settings..."straps on daddy"


The ear muffs are a big plus, he didnt mind wearing them actually. He thought it was funny!


My son THOROUGHLY enjoyed the day, even though Mark scares him a bit The next day when he woke up and still now, weeks later he still talks about Mark and Joe and the race cars. "I wanna go see Mark..daddy"..."joes car is yellow...marks is white" etc etc.

For some reason i see a trailer and a go cart in the future!!

 

to echo Jim

The older may enjoy it for a while, but bordom will set in quickly.
I would be afraid to take a 4 month old to the races....TOO LOUD.
I've been in your place a few times before, tix to game in one hand and a infant in the other. You never seem to enjoy the event as much because you have the little one to worry about, if he's too cold, too warm, hungry, needs a diaper pit stop..... you know.

You can gamble and take the older one, but the sitter (grandparents?) is by far the way to go with the littlest one.

Good Luck

 

Thanks, all. I'll plan to leave the 4-month-old at home with oma or grandpa. As the day approaches, I'll see how interested the older is, get her a pair of ear muffs, and let her decide whether to come or not.