Title: How old is old enough?
Post by: slash on October 19, 2013, 10:18:29 pm
The youngster and I have enjoyed several motor sport events this year, Silverstone 6 hours, F1, MotoGP, and now he wants the big one, so how old were your lads when you first bloodied them at Le Sarthe?
Title: Re: How old is old enough?
Post by: Grand_Fromage on October 19, 2013, 11:02:15 pm
My eldest was only three when I first took him to a sports car race at Brands Hatch, but he was 15 when he first came to Le Mans. Sadly his passion is not in motor sport, but in art and music, so he has never returned to La Sarthe as an adult (he is now 29).
Title: Re: How old is old enough?
Post by: Brad Zarse on October 19, 2013, 11:34:10 pm
My son was 8.... Weeks :)
Took him to Silverstone for the 6 hours. He's now 16 months, and has been again since... Perhaps not going to take him LM for a while though... I can barely
Look after myself out there :)
Took him to Silverstone for the 6 hours. He's now 16 months, and has been again since... Perhaps not going to take him LM for a while though... I can barely
Look after myself out there :)
Title: Re: How old is old enough?
Post by: lofty on October 20, 2013, 10:04:25 am
I first took Trig to Silverstone in 1991 in the april and thought he would be fine.So of to Le Mans in june.Nightmare.Anyway every year since then he is still the same at about 48 years old.The answer to your question is never sensible enough,but is that the point?Bring everyone and try them out.
Title: Re: How old is old enough?
Post by: Bob U on October 20, 2013, 10:32:13 am
My son was 12 years old when I first took him in 1998. Didn't do the full camping thing as he was taking exams at the time. He left school at 4pm on the Friday and we drove down to Pompey for the ferry, straight back after the race and he was back in school at 9am on Monday. Hard work but he loved it as he wanted to see a Mclaren F1 at Le Mans and it was to be their last year. It was a few years before he was introduced to the full camping carnage but he seemed to enjoy that too. Under 13s get in for free so that's a bonus. Pity it's not free for those that act under 13.
Title: Re: How old is old enough?
Post by: wishy on October 20, 2013, 10:45:52 am
I took my eldest for the first time when he was 13 and he has now visited Le Sarthe on 7 occasions and is already in the queue for 2014, as well as his little brother who started coming 2 years ago and who also loves the whole thing!
It's great now that they are both adults and they can do their own thing without me actually having or trying to be the responsible parent ;D
It's great now that they are both adults and they can do their own thing without me actually having or trying to be the responsible parent ;D
Title: Re: How old is old enough?
Post by: oldtimer on October 20, 2013, 11:04:26 am
My son first attended at the age of 10. We slept in the back of the car and he did really well with keeping up with the long hours. He thoroughly enjoyed the experience and has been returning, exams permitting, since. One thing though. He was absolutely knackered for about a week afterwards!
Title: Re: How old is old enough?
Post by: Muzorewa on October 20, 2013, 02:19:57 pm
12 when I took Jr - but when Aston get tonked by Corvette in GT1 as it was then, that makes a lasting impression....
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i188/Muzorewa/Muz3/Dscf0091_zpsbd00019f.jpg) (http://s72.photobucket.com/user/Muzorewa/media/Muz3/Dscf0091_zpsbd00019f.jpg.html)
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i188/Muzorewa/Muz3/Dscf0091_zpsbd00019f.jpg) (http://s72.photobucket.com/user/Muzorewa/media/Muz3/Dscf0091_zpsbd00019f.jpg.html)
Title: Re: How old is old enough?
Post by: pretzel on October 20, 2013, 07:08:09 pm
We took daughter, son-in-law and grandson (6 months) last year. The little-un certainly didn't understand much of course but seemed to enjoy the sights and sounds. Hopefully the experience will leave a little spark in his mind for the future.
Title: Re: How old is old enough?
Post by: clkgtrlm1 on October 22, 2013, 06:18:44 pm
The youngest in our group ever was 12, but she turned 13 during the week at Le Mans (2009) I think.
We had a small crowd singing Happy Birthday in the G(ay)uiness Bar at the village - performed by the live band.
My boys were also 13 when they first went.
And my sisters boy came with us this year aged 13
....................you might have spotted HIM bouncing around on a space hopper late on Friday night at Tertre Rouge, shouting profanity in Danish. We didn't translate him, what he was shouting of course.
We had a small crowd singing Happy Birthday in the G(ay)uiness Bar at the village - performed by the live band.
My boys were also 13 when they first went.
And my sisters boy came with us this year aged 13
....................you might have spotted HIM bouncing around on a space hopper late on Friday night at Tertre Rouge, shouting profanity in Danish. We didn't translate him, what he was shouting of course.
Title: Re: How old is old enough?
Post by: mgmark on October 23, 2013, 12:54:18 am
Each of mine came to Le Mans once at around the age of 12-15, with a "pre-18, I'll pay - after that you pay your share" rule - it worked and most have been back for repeat visits at varying intervals depending on avaialble funds and other commitments.
It seemed to be about the optimum age for them to understand it, enjoy it, and for me to feel comfortable enough to let them off the leash on their own for a time once orientated, at both the main and other supporting events, particularly as with mobiles, it's easy enough for them to call if they hit a snag somewhere - mind you, the first time revealed that getting their pay-as-you-go phones enabled for Europe before leaving would have been useful.....
MG Mark
It seemed to be about the optimum age for them to understand it, enjoy it, and for me to feel comfortable enough to let them off the leash on their own for a time once orientated, at both the main and other supporting events, particularly as with mobiles, it's easy enough for them to call if they hit a snag somewhere - mind you, the first time revealed that getting their pay-as-you-go phones enabled for Europe before leaving would have been useful.....
MG Mark
Title: Re: How old is old enough?
Post by: Lord Steve on November 03, 2013, 08:45:49 am
My son was 29 when he came with me for the first time and scared the crap out of me by having a seizure on MB then being rushed into hospital in an ambulance. He still managed to get discharged in time to watch the race though. Strangely he hasn't seemed very interested in coming again.....
Title: Re: How old is old enough?
Post by: wishy on November 03, 2013, 05:41:31 pm
Steve....you obviously didn't give him any advice on the aspect of pacing oneself ;D
Title: Re: How old is old enough?
Post by: Lord Steve on November 03, 2013, 09:35:28 pm
Hi Andy, he had his seizure after a fry-up and two coffees! Must have been a caffeine thing!
Title: Re: How old is old enough?
Post by: wishy on November 04, 2013, 09:14:45 am
;D ;D
Title: Re: How old is old enough?
Post by: JDS on November 04, 2013, 10:24:44 am
According to my mum, I was 2 days old at my first race meeting - an evening in the commentary box at Hackney Speedway. Our kids have grown up with racing so have been going for as long as I can remember - I can certainly remember weekends with my eldest at F3 races when he was three. Their first Le Mans they were 3 and 18 months (although this was just a flying visit!). They've been most years since and my eldest is now 14 and, as Wishy will testify, a full member of our team ....
My thoughts, for what it's worth, is it's not their age (providing you take all the sensible precautions such as proper ear defenders etc.) but more what your wife's views on the matter are ::)
This was an F3 at Thruxton, many years ago, I think he was about three (maybe a little younger)
My thoughts, for what it's worth, is it's not their age (providing you take all the sensible precautions such as proper ear defenders etc.) but more what your wife's views on the matter are ::)
This was an F3 at Thruxton, many years ago, I think he was about three (maybe a little younger)
Title: Re: How old is old enough?
Post by: aricus654 on April 07, 2014, 01:42:40 am
My two children both have birthdays around Goodwood, the eldest has the FoS and my daughter the Revival. When my daughter was born the night before Goodwood, 9 years ago this year, I left her and her mum in the hospital and went. I thought it would be a good idea if. I got a video of Jenson Button congratulating her. It wasn't.
We all go to each Goodwood and my son Tristan who will be 14 at the. Revival this year will be on his 4 Le Mans this year.
So far so great!
If you see him in his fez, say hi!
We all go to each Goodwood and my son Tristan who will be 14 at the. Revival this year will be on his 4 Le Mans this year.
So far so great!
If you see him in his fez, say hi!
