What racing to watch with the other half?
Discussion
Goodwood Revival, without a doubt.
Pre-parenthood my wife would come and time me on the pit wall at most events, but without fail most events would leave her cold (literally in a lot of cases, and wet, but not a pleasant way....) apart from being there to help and support me.
Most British circuits are airfield based and have little in the way of shelter, so you're either cold and wind-blown or sweltering with very little shade.
There's also the matter of nothing else to do but watch the racing - fine if you're an enthusiast, not so fine if you're not.
And scratch the endurance racing until you can be sure she'd get the same joy from standing in the p!ssing rain watching cars go past that aren't necessarily on the same lap as one another, let alone dicing for the lead... Spa is nice, but it rains a lot and the racing is confusing enough that even a seasoned endurance fan needs a radio or smartphone to keep up with the positions - not much overtaking or contact in endurance racing either.
However Goodwood Revival has a lot to do besides the racing and is a day out with motor racing. There's shopping (both on the day and before, my wife loves shopping for her vintage outfits), the sideshows, lots of hospitality so if the weather is bad there's shelter - you could spend the day there and never see a race, but the racing is excellent and the quality of machinery is second to no other.
Pre-parenthood my wife would come and time me on the pit wall at most events, but without fail most events would leave her cold (literally in a lot of cases, and wet, but not a pleasant way....) apart from being there to help and support me.
Most British circuits are airfield based and have little in the way of shelter, so you're either cold and wind-blown or sweltering with very little shade.
There's also the matter of nothing else to do but watch the racing - fine if you're an enthusiast, not so fine if you're not.
And scratch the endurance racing until you can be sure she'd get the same joy from standing in the p!ssing rain watching cars go past that aren't necessarily on the same lap as one another, let alone dicing for the lead... Spa is nice, but it rains a lot and the racing is confusing enough that even a seasoned endurance fan needs a radio or smartphone to keep up with the positions - not much overtaking or contact in endurance racing either.
However Goodwood Revival has a lot to do besides the racing and is a day out with motor racing. There's shopping (both on the day and before, my wife loves shopping for her vintage outfits), the sideshows, lots of hospitality so if the weather is bad there's shelter - you could spend the day there and never see a race, but the racing is excellent and the quality of machinery is second to no other.
Edited by Mark Benson on Monday 24th November 16:40
garyhun said:
She likes cars that go fast and are loud 
Anything like that with some added excitement built in - overtakes or contact for example - and she'd be happy.
If that is the criteria I suggest a visit to a Brisca stock car meet, big unsilenced V8s sliding round and bumping into eachother. Since it's on short ovals you can see the whole race and a few races. Anything like that with some added excitement built in - overtakes or contact for example - and she'd be happy.Edited by garyhun on Monday 24th November 14:53
Failing that go back to what I said earlier about going to watch some top fuel drag racing, Motorsport doesn't come any faster or louder (you actually need ear defenders, they make your chest and the ground shake when they go). They put on a good show around the racing too with stunts, air displays and you can go wandering round the paddock checking out the cars.
My mrs far prefered it to any other meet she has come to.
She liked it at the Ring too but only when we were on track rather than spectating.
We are definitely going to the Goodwood Revival - getting dressed up (I always wanted to be in the RAF 
) and making a day of it sounds perfect.
In addition WEC Spa and Classic Monaco are also be on the cards as it involves a great drive to the events so we can make a bit of a trip out of both. I'm also very keen to see a WEC race in the flesh.
However, I think we may also do some other UK stuff to round off the experience!
Thanks to all for your input, it is appreciated.
) and making a day of it sounds perfect.In addition WEC Spa and Classic Monaco are also be on the cards as it involves a great drive to the events so we can make a bit of a trip out of both. I'm also very keen to see a WEC race in the flesh.
However, I think we may also do some other UK stuff to round off the experience!
Thanks to all for your input, it is appreciated.
If you're going to watch WEC, Spa is a great place to do it, you can walk round the entire circuit during the race.
We've done it for the last couple of years while taking a break from Le Mans.
Be aware though that if it's hot the concession stands are few and far between so take a rucksack and some drinks (we usually buy a slab of beers in the supermarket and stick them in a rucksack). Same goes for loos, so while you can slope off into the woods and go behind a tree, your wife might be a bit less keen to do so.
We've done it for the last couple of years while taking a break from Le Mans.
Be aware though that if it's hot the concession stands are few and far between so take a rucksack and some drinks (we usually buy a slab of beers in the supermarket and stick them in a rucksack). Same goes for loos, so while you can slope off into the woods and go behind a tree, your wife might be a bit less keen to do so.
Mark Benson said:
If you're going to watch WEC, Spa is a great place to do it, you can walk round the entire circuit during the race.
We've done it for the last couple of years while taking a break from Le Mans.
Be aware though that if it's hot the concession stands are few and far between so take a rucksack and some drinks (we usually buy a slab of beers in the supermarket and stick them in a rucksack). Same goes for loos, so while you can slope off into the woods and go behind a tree, your wife might be a bit less keen to do so.
Thanks for the info. She's got a big bladder but doubt she'd want to go in the bushes We've done it for the last couple of years while taking a break from Le Mans.
Be aware though that if it's hot the concession stands are few and far between so take a rucksack and some drinks (we usually buy a slab of beers in the supermarket and stick them in a rucksack). Same goes for loos, so while you can slope off into the woods and go behind a tree, your wife might be a bit less keen to do so.
RB Will said:
If that is the criteria I suggest a visit to a Brisca stock car meet, big unsilenced V8s sliding round and bumping into eachother. Since it's on short ovals you can see the whole race and a few races.
This, my partner has been to loads of racing (I work at a circuit most weekends in the season). WEC she sat in the office reading a book on the other hand she loves the legends, truck racing, one make saloons anything where there is some action. We went to the Brisca at Kings Lynn the other week and she loved the whole experience (well except the mud in her hair!) the noise the action being able to see everything, being able to get a drink in the "warm".
I think my point is that you need to be pretty hardcore enthusiast the stand on a cold airfield watching cars go past for 6 hours not knowing what is going on. Perhaps it is best to get the interest first with some short bite sized pieces of action.
My wife sits alongside me calmly reading the pace notes despite the engine noise and the sound of stones clattering off the floor of the car - we are trying to make up time after a splash and dash at Clackett. After maxing out on the M25 we reach the sweeping bends of the A2 through Darenth Country Park - barely a lift in fifth before heavy braking and a 90 left onto the B255, this is far more challenging, less run off and a series of tight 2nd gear bends, then a final blast before a downhill hairpin left and the finish line.
Parc Ferme is packed out, but this is the first day of the Sales at Bluewater....
Parc Ferme is packed out, but this is the first day of the Sales at Bluewater....
Edited by moffspeed on Wednesday 26th November 06:47
http://classictouringcars.com/
Somone might say it depends upon what age group you are in, but I see plenty of young people enjoying this series, and its not remotley like the single make races that just resemble a swarm of bee's going around the track togther when they all pass your part of the track and then you see nothing until they return.
Somone might say it depends upon what age group you are in, but I see plenty of young people enjoying this series, and its not remotley like the single make races that just resemble a swarm of bee's going around the track togther when they all pass your part of the track and then you see nothing until they return.
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