Le Mans and kids
Discussion
What's too young do you think?
My daughter's keen to accompany dad. At 7 she's too young. When I suggested this she seemed to think 8's old enough.... She's not daft.
Thing is leave it too long she'll turn into a teenager and it won't be so cool.
So what do you do? Is it suitable for kids? At what age etc...
My daughter's keen to accompany dad. At 7 she's too young. When I suggested this she seemed to think 8's old enough.... She's not daft.
Thing is leave it too long she'll turn into a teenager and it won't be so cool.
So what do you do? Is it suitable for kids? At what age etc...
I think the answer to this dilemma rests in how you have treated your own Le Mans trips in the past and how you would want your own experience to change because of your daughters attendance.
If your trips in the past have been, in polite terms "a lads weekend away" and we have all been there have we not, then taking your cherished offspring will obviously mean a very different experience for you as well. You cannot however expect others around you to change their behavior because you have a youngster with you so some of the campsites may not be the best bet as they can get a bit "rowdy"
Le Mans can be a great experience for all ages but personally I would say 7/8 is a bit young to get the best out of it, I would suggest wait until next year and go for the more relaxed and peaceful Le Mans Classic as a first step and then see how they feel about the "full fat" experience the year after.
Bob
If your trips in the past have been, in polite terms "a lads weekend away" and we have all been there have we not, then taking your cherished offspring will obviously mean a very different experience for you as well. You cannot however expect others around you to change their behavior because you have a youngster with you so some of the campsites may not be the best bet as they can get a bit "rowdy"
Le Mans can be a great experience for all ages but personally I would say 7/8 is a bit young to get the best out of it, I would suggest wait until next year and go for the more relaxed and peaceful Le Mans Classic as a first step and then see how they feel about the "full fat" experience the year after.
Bob
I guess it depends on where you are camping & the atmosphere at the campsite, but I've seen plenty of families with young kids (at that age) at the times I've been at LM & at the campsites (BSJ no less). I personally find the atmoshere at LM very relaxed & friendly so I wouldn't personally have an issue taking kids.
I think it would a great trip for your daughter & you'd be the best Dad ever in the world!!!
I think it would a great trip for your daughter & you'd be the best Dad ever in the world!!!
My daughter started coming with me to le mans about 8 years ago, but she was 16, she has not missed a race since and will be a silverstone tomorrow. I think it depends on what you are doing in respect of trip but I would say that 8 is a bit young for most camp sites, she will be OK but you will be a nervous wreck the entire time so leave it a few years.
If you are planning to go as a family then i think 8 is fine. If it's just dad and daughter then I think you'll find it hard work and I think there is a real risk she won't enjoy it at all.
Is she used to camping? Le mans campsites at pretty rough and ready a robust 8 year old may well cope fine, whereas one who is used to only clean and shiny things might struggle. Is she used to being away from home with you? Is she used to Motorsport events?
Depending to your answers above I would build up to taking her in a couple of years but she must be able to demonstrate before then that she can deal with with and enjoy basic camping,I'd also suggest a trip to WEC or something similar so that you're not stuck in France with a unhappy child.
Is she used to camping? Le mans campsites at pretty rough and ready a robust 8 year old may well cope fine, whereas one who is used to only clean and shiny things might struggle. Is she used to being away from home with you? Is she used to Motorsport events?
Depending to your answers above I would build up to taking her in a couple of years but she must be able to demonstrate before then that she can deal with with and enjoy basic camping,I'd also suggest a trip to WEC or something similar so that you're not stuck in France with a unhappy child.
Took my 1 & 5 year olds in 2009. We stayed in a motorhome so camping wasn't a problem. Biggest problem was that by the Saturday 5 year old was so tired that he didn't see any night racing but really enjoyed it and keeps asking to go again. Luckily school gets in the way so i have to go with blokes and drink beer all week!
By the way if you do take kids there's a great swimming pool in town close to a tram stop but you need speedos not swimming shorts!
By the way if you do take kids there's a great swimming pool in town close to a tram stop but you need speedos not swimming shorts!
Edited by Printertosh on Saturday 13th April 15:17
Printertosh said:
By the way if you do take kids there's a great swimming pool in town close to a tram stop but you need speedos not swimming shorts!
Les Atlantides swimming poolEdited by Printertosh on Saturday 13th April 15:17
http://www.guide-piscine.fr/sarthe/centre-aquatiqu...
How to get there:
http://www.setram.fr/carte/index.php?verif=1
Change trams at 'Saint Martin' and get the one to 'Espal Arche de la Nature'. Exit at Atlantides-Sablon.
And indeed bring your speedos! Because otherwise you'll be forced to wear something out of their lost-and-found. I once saw a bloke swimming around in a pink bathing suit. You have been warned!
Edited by vincegail on Saturday 13th April 15:43
vincegail said:
It's never too soon to indoctrinate your children!
She's very lucky with a dad like you!
George was six months old last year for his first trip and (so he tells me...) looking forward for trip number two this year. I've done the boys trips but (and two of my other mates took their younguns - about 4 and 8) I dunno, it was something special having him there even if he didn't know what the hell was going on. It was a very very different trip to previously but enjoyable all the same. We had more 'challenges' than you potentially have but just think about things like getting around a wet race, lack of sleep for her etc.She's very lucky with a dad like you!
We stay off the circuit on a 'proper' campsite and combine it with a holiday, so ten days this year!
Take her, it'll be fine!
I don't think it's for kids. 14 plus I would say. The nature of the event would make me think twice, naked Germans washing in full view, drunks, swearing, the noise and there are a number of dangers I wouldn't want to expose my kids to. Why not the Silverstone Classic instead. Safer campsites, no naked Germans, theres a fun-fair and lots for kids to do and see. No danger of them getting lost or hurt in the crowds either. Much much quieter at night too.
A day out in London probably exposes kids to greater risks but at least there's not so many naked people in London. I know there are a few naked people about in the camp sites but it always appears to be good natured, usually naked chefs but never in a sexual way so its never bothered us.
struttob said:
I think the answer to this dilemma rests in how you have treated your own Le Mans trips in the past and how you would want your own experience to change because of your daughters attendance.
If your trips in the past have been, in polite terms "a lads weekend away" and we have all been there have we not, then taking your cherished offspring will obviously mean a very different experience for you as well. You cannot however expect others around you to change their behavior because you have a youngster with you so some of the campsites may not be the best bet as they can get a bit "rowdy"
Le Mans can be a great experience for all ages but personally I would say 7/8 is a bit young to get the best out of it, I would suggest wait until next year and go for the more relaxed and peaceful Le Mans Classic as a first step and then see how they feel about the "full fat" experience the year after.
Bob
This.If your trips in the past have been, in polite terms "a lads weekend away" and we have all been there have we not, then taking your cherished offspring will obviously mean a very different experience for you as well. You cannot however expect others around you to change their behavior because you have a youngster with you so some of the campsites may not be the best bet as they can get a bit "rowdy"
Le Mans can be a great experience for all ages but personally I would say 7/8 is a bit young to get the best out of it, I would suggest wait until next year and go for the more relaxed and peaceful Le Mans Classic as a first step and then see how they feel about the "full fat" experience the year after.
Bob
We took one of our teams 11 year old last year, and his brother at the same age 3 years earlier, both had a great time and want to go again (they've been told they can go any time they want, but they'll be paying for themselves). Both were knackered by the end though, last year we left at midnight on the Sunday night the boy curled up under a duvet in the back and woke up about 3 the next afternoon.
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