I have two Saturday spectator tickets for the spring kickoff event at Gingerman. Thinking it would be fun to take the 9 year old to spend a day hanging out, watching race cars, and then going to get ice cream. Going to the track is one of the things she specifically asked to do this summer and she likes going to watch the club races at Waterford Hills, so I think she'd have fun.
Anyone on here participate in/attended the Gridlife events? Specifically wondering how kid friendly it would be. Is there any paddock access for general spectators? Anyone know a driver who would want to say hi to an enthusiastic 9 year old? She would get a kick out of meeting a "real race car driver."
Anything else good to know besides the typical tips for spending a day at the track? I've only been to Gingerman for Champcar and typical track day stuff so I'm trying to picture how it would be set up for a bigger thing with actual spectators.
I've not been to Gridlife but in 2012 at Road America five people told my daughter to climb into their cars and these weren't beaters. Show her the cars - maybe somebody will tell her to get in.
BlueInGreen - Jon said:
Anyone on here participate in/attended the Gridlife events? Specifically wondering how kid friendly it would be. Is there any paddock access for general spectators? Anyone know a driver who would want to say hi to an enthusiastic 9 year old? She would get a kick out of meeting a "real race car driver."
mazdeuce's co-host for TrackWalking... "Scott Robertson" should be there, with his distincting red/yellow slowmiata, racing in GLTC. He's infrequently on the board. I think spacecadet will be there, working grid mostly? Heck mazdeuce might be there as well?
In reply to sleepyhead the buffalo :
I’ll see if I can find them! Scott and Seth’s Track Walking podcast is what inspired me to check Gridlife out in the first place
Sherman's Dairy is a few miles from the track. I took my kids there every time we went to Gingerman. Great fun and great ice cream.
If you are making a weekend of it with the kids, the Air Zoo and the Gilmore Car Museum are within an hour of Gman, either is worth spending a day visiting. From what I've heard, "kiddo appropriate" may be a daytime activity/nighttime activity thing as far as Gridlife is concerned.
I'm going to be there, Bobzilla is also coming I think.. Mazdeuce is on the roster to come as well, TX Ratti may also be coming out for the day as well.
Were there any instructions/guidelines about kids when you bought your tickets? Young Children are considered a HUGE liability by most track organizations, SCCA has a TON of special rules for Kids with autocross and other ones for Road Racing..
As Buffalo mentioned I'll be helping run Grid. Would love to try and help get your kiddo to be able to sit in a car and meet some of the drivers. Basically everyone will be cool about kids.. but we gotta make sure we are good on where they can be.
Reach out to the Gridlife folks and make sure you cover bases ahead of time to make sure everything is kosher for the kiddo being there.. I'll also ask when i'm working the event this coming weekend at Blackhawk what our rules are about minors.
In reply to BlueInGreen - Jon :
I'll be there and absolutely would let kids... even grown up ones check out and sit in the car.
Gridlife events are kid friendly IMO compared to other events I attend. Most important thing is being aware of and careful in the paddock for cars coming and going. Gridlife is a very welcoming and friendly group so don't worry about anything there. Gingerman has good spectating spots. Bring chairs and be prepared for weather ranging from 90+ and sunny to 50 and raining as it has been both in the past during a single day.
In reply to sleepyhead the buffalo :
thats who hosts that? Man I'm slow...
what are the dates of this event? i kinda feel like it's too close to home for me to miss this gathering of GRM elite.
In reply to AngryCorvair (Forum Supporter) :
June 4-6 is Spring Kickoff at Gingerman
In reply to AngryCorvair (Forum Supporter) :
jUNE 4-6
