Discussion: Your First Trackside Experience
- Thread starter Paul Jeffrey
- Start date
DTM Sept 1992 at a practice day at the Nurburgring,Heading back from Vacation.
2001 watching my first race DTM at Zandvoort,with my dad...after 2001 i visited every race of the DTM at Zandvoort until 2016.
Allready have tickets for 2017,as well as Hockenheim,and Zandvoort.
2003 was for sure the biggest Highlight...Local Hero Christijan Albers won at Zandvoort.
Beside the DTM i,ve been to the WEC,F1,GT Series,WSR,Champcar,ELMS....realy love Autoracing
2001 watching my first race DTM at Zandvoort,with my dad...after 2001 i visited every race of the DTM at Zandvoort until 2016.
Allready have tickets for 2017,as well as Hockenheim,and Zandvoort.
2003 was for sure the biggest Highlight...Local Hero Christijan Albers won at Zandvoort.
Beside the DTM i,ve been to the WEC,F1,GT Series,WSR,Champcar,ELMS....realy love Autoracing
Hey, I had tickets for this race, but I had to miss it because of my job. I was pissed cause this was my last chance to watch Schumacher. What a relief it was when I was able to go to Turkey for the 2010 race when he was racing for Mercedes. He finished third or fourth and slowed in front of our seats to wave at us...that was amazing!
And my first race was 2007 Turkish GP, Kimi won and Massa was 2nd I think.
Philip Antonia
Premium
My first real racing event, was the 1989 British Grand Prix at Silverstone.
My brother (who is 18 years older than me) said he was taking myself (aged 11) and my little sister (aged 9) to a theme park.
We left home from Bognor Regis at some daft early time in the morning!! It was when we came off the M40 and could see lots of British Gp signs, that we excitedly realised where we were really going!!
We went on a bus ride around the track and walked the paddock, then sat at Chapel corner for the races.
Saw Ayrton Senna walk past us after he retired from the Grand Prix and he was waving to the crowd!!
Amazing experience and we continued to go each year up to and including 1995. Missed it in 1996 and saw ITCC there instead that year, then we went to our last ever GP in 1997!!
I still have the t-shirt he bought me from there in 1989 too
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My brother (who is 18 years older than me) said he was taking myself (aged 11) and my little sister (aged 9) to a theme park.
We left home from Bognor Regis at some daft early time in the morning!! It was when we came off the M40 and could see lots of British Gp signs, that we excitedly realised where we were really going!!
We went on a bus ride around the track and walked the paddock, then sat at Chapel corner for the races.
Saw Ayrton Senna walk past us after he retired from the Grand Prix and he was waving to the crowd!!
Amazing experience and we continued to go each year up to and including 1995. Missed it in 1996 and saw ITCC there instead that year, then we went to our last ever GP in 1997!!
I still have the t-shirt he bought me from there in 1989 too
.
My grandparents offered me and my brother to take us with our Camper to the Nürburgring. Of course we were in!
Must have been in 2007 or 2008, to the ADAC Truck Grand Prix.
We stayed there for 4 days i believe, with our Camper at the camping place, really close to the Dunlop Kehre.
The camping palce was completely wicked, everyone enjoyed themselves and there was lots of beer. I was around 10 at that time, so i would not bother, but the atmosphere was definetely a nice one.
The event took place on the short version of the Nürbrugring, the Dunlop Kehre was full with music acts and stuff like that.
My brother and i were able to walk over the whole track, we entered the pits and we saw lots of dreamcars. I remember a white and blue-striped Viper firing up in the pits. Awesome!
The races itself were really exciting aswell. Truck races in general are fascinating. Lots of contact and those heavy Trucks are quite fast. Watching the drivers work with the weight and still pushing everything to the limit was brilliant! I remember that the DAF truck was always deadlast, had always 2 problems per race (Like oil leaks and stuff) and caused several red flags. Felt sad for that driver.
I also remember Strietzel Stuck overtaking on the outside of the Mercedes Arena with a freaking truck! That's a sight.
The Fahrerlager/Paddock or whatever it is called was opened for the public, with lots of things to explore, lots of brands had special things for the guests. The drivers were really nice aswell.
The best thing for me wasnt the Truck Races though (there were several rounds), although they were brilliant from a racing point of view. What got me more exciting were the other series running, there was some kind of touring car series which still reminds me of V8 Supercars, although slower cars. I think they used a lot of Fords and Holdens aswell. Ford was there for sure. Two classes, over 40 cars overall.
Also there were two GT series. They raced together in two divisions, the faster division had cars like the Viper we saw in the pits and nice old Porsche for example. My favourite car was the only Marcos in the field. Unfortunately that car had some trouble aswell.
All that happend with perfect weather and relatively free seat choice.
Wonderful experience
Must have been in 2007 or 2008, to the ADAC Truck Grand Prix.
We stayed there for 4 days i believe, with our Camper at the camping place, really close to the Dunlop Kehre.
The camping palce was completely wicked, everyone enjoyed themselves and there was lots of beer. I was around 10 at that time, so i would not bother, but the atmosphere was definetely a nice one.
The event took place on the short version of the Nürbrugring, the Dunlop Kehre was full with music acts and stuff like that.
My brother and i were able to walk over the whole track, we entered the pits and we saw lots of dreamcars. I remember a white and blue-striped Viper firing up in the pits. Awesome!
The races itself were really exciting aswell. Truck races in general are fascinating. Lots of contact and those heavy Trucks are quite fast. Watching the drivers work with the weight and still pushing everything to the limit was brilliant! I remember that the DAF truck was always deadlast, had always 2 problems per race (Like oil leaks and stuff) and caused several red flags. Felt sad for that driver.
I also remember Strietzel Stuck overtaking on the outside of the Mercedes Arena with a freaking truck! That's a sight.
The Fahrerlager/Paddock or whatever it is called was opened for the public, with lots of things to explore, lots of brands had special things for the guests. The drivers were really nice aswell.
The best thing for me wasnt the Truck Races though (there were several rounds), although they were brilliant from a racing point of view. What got me more exciting were the other series running, there was some kind of touring car series which still reminds me of V8 Supercars, although slower cars. I think they used a lot of Fords and Holdens aswell. Ford was there for sure. Two classes, over 40 cars overall.
Also there were two GT series. They raced together in two divisions, the faster division had cars like the Viper we saw in the pits and nice old Porsche for example. My favourite car was the only Marcos in the field. Unfortunately that car had some trouble aswell.
All that happend with perfect weather and relatively free seat choice.
Wonderful experience
My father took me to the Trenton 250 in 1964. I was twelve years old. The field was mostly front engine Offy roadsters. After the race we walked the pit lane. I met AL Foyt, Parnelli Jones and Fireball Roberts. Jim McElreath picked me up and put me in the seat of his roadster. It was what made me want to be a racer as I grew up. I've now been racing for 41 years this year.
It really depends on the type of motor sport you are talking about. My first ever real motorsport of any kind was an autocross event put on by the SCCA at a local parking lot in '74. Fun to watch and from what I heard very competitive. My first Drag race was at Sebring Int'l raceway in '82 where myself and several other people built a strip on the front straight of the track just across the wall from the pits. My home stereo was the PA system for the first couple of weeks. My first ever NASCAR event was at Atlanta Motor Speedway in 2008. My first ever road course was at Sebring Int'l Raceway in 82. My first ever dirt oval was watching the World of Outlaw Sprint cars on our local 1/4 mile dirt oval in Santa Maria California in '86.
Cool story about when I attended the 12 hours of Sebring. I had just gotten out of the US Air Force and went to Florida to live. I joined the Civil Air Patrol, which for those that don't know is a civilian organization that trains young kids to be pilots to help out in case of natural disasters. Anyways, our club house was a plane on static display very near the "safety pin" turn and had to have a presence for the entire race week, which I was there for. One day I was hanging out by our fence, which was waist high, and was talking to a woman who was camped right next to us. She gave me some great champagne and caviar one of the evenings we were there. For the people in attendance it was one big week long party and racing event.
Cool story about when I attended the 12 hours of Sebring. I had just gotten out of the US Air Force and went to Florida to live. I joined the Civil Air Patrol, which for those that don't know is a civilian organization that trains young kids to be pilots to help out in case of natural disasters. Anyways, our club house was a plane on static display very near the "safety pin" turn and had to have a presence for the entire race week, which I was there for. One day I was hanging out by our fence, which was waist high, and was talking to a woman who was camped right next to us. She gave me some great champagne and caviar one of the evenings we were there. For the people in attendance it was one big week long party and racing event.
hmm.. Not actually sure which one was my first as I was a toddler for both of them but I've attended a NASCAR race at Richmond and the Napa Auto Parts 300 (still have the tickets too) the latter was in early 2000. Wow I just noticed how bad that last edit was.
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My first event was with my Dad in 1992 at the British Grand Prix (I was 17). We decided to go support "our Nige" as he was dominating the championship at the time and I'd been watching F1 for about a year (I can still hear Murray on the BBC now! )
We paid for general admission which I think at the time was about £50 each (those were the days!) and we also paid for a centre pass (£25) as we decided to stand on the inside of Copse corner. Didn't see the drivers too much but (and it's funny how you remember certain things). I was walking past the fencing to the paddock area and there was a small group of Senna fans. Just as I walked passed Ayrton walked from the McLaren garage to the hospitality area and they went nuts! I remember him waving back and smiling so at least he appreciated the support in what was largely a Mansell crowd
My Dad and I settled down to a nice view on the inside of Copse corner. Enjoyed the warm up (V8's, V10's, and V12's can't beat it), and the build up to the race. The one thing we didn't realise (being our first GP) was the flags....
As the cars went on their parade lap, everyone stood up....and up went about 500 giant Union Jacks (on very tall flag poles). Which basically meant we couldn't see very much anymore! Anyway the crowd went nuts for the entire race and we saw Nigel completely destroy the competition that day
The race was also memorable for one other thing. This was the time they allowed the crowd onto the track for the podium, and as soon as Mansell crossed the finish line everyone started running for the track...with F1 cars still at racing speed. All I remember is my Dad saying "let's go", me jumping over a fence and seeing Martin Brundle in the Benetton about six feet away from me! We managed to get within 30 feet of the podium so got to see all the celebrations and I just remember my Dad holding onto my arm because with thousands of people (and no mobile phones) if we got split up we'd never find one another again!
The other memory of course is getting out, I think it took 6 hours to get home....
Other stand out memories are tough because I've been very lucky and I tend to like all forms of 4 wheel motorsport so I've enjoyed lots of different events. I've been to Le Mans in '93 (last of the Group C era), and again in '95 (the McLaren win which was very special). I've seen CART race at Rockingham which was amazing as well (yes it is very windy). I've also enjoyed the Super Touring era with all those works teams at places like Brands, Thruxton, and Donington.
My last race that I enjoyed immensely was the Blancpain Series last year. I took my Dad along for the weekend (first race together in about four years) and I managed to bag some grid walk passes for a surprise. Well you can imagine his face when I told him we get to walk the grid before the race! Something that I will always remember fondly (thanks SRO)
My only "must do" is I want to see an IMSA race, maybe Daytona or Sebring would be cool. Maybe in 2018 if I save my pennies.
)We paid for general admission which I think at the time was about £50 each (those were the days!) and we also paid for a centre pass (£25) as we decided to stand on the inside of Copse corner. Didn't see the drivers too much but (and it's funny how you remember certain things). I was walking past the fencing to the paddock area and there was a small group of Senna fans. Just as I walked passed Ayrton walked from the McLaren garage to the hospitality area and they went nuts!
I remember him waving back and smiling so at least he appreciated the support in what was largely a Mansell crowd My Dad and I settled down to a nice view on the inside of Copse corner. Enjoyed the warm up (V8's, V10's, and V12's can't beat it), and the build up to the race. The one thing we didn't realise (being our first GP) was the flags....
As the cars went on their parade lap, everyone stood up....and up went about 500 giant Union Jacks (on very tall flag poles). Which basically meant we couldn't see very much anymore!
Anyway the crowd went nuts for the entire race and we saw Nigel completely destroy the competition that day The race was also memorable for one other thing. This was the time they allowed the crowd onto the track for the podium, and as soon as Mansell crossed the finish line everyone started running for the track...with F1 cars still at racing speed. All I remember is my Dad saying "let's go", me jumping over a fence and seeing Martin Brundle in the Benetton about six feet away from me! We managed to get within 30 feet of the podium so got to see all the celebrations and I just remember my Dad holding onto my arm because with thousands of people (and no mobile phones) if we got split up we'd never find one another again!
The other memory of course is getting out, I think it took 6 hours to get home....
Other stand out memories are tough because I've been very lucky and I tend to like all forms of 4 wheel motorsport so I've enjoyed lots of different events. I've been to Le Mans in '93 (last of the Group C era), and again in '95 (the McLaren win which was very special). I've seen CART race at Rockingham which was amazing as well (yes it is very windy). I've also enjoyed the Super Touring era with all those works teams at places like Brands, Thruxton, and Donington.
My last race that I enjoyed immensely was the Blancpain Series last year. I took my Dad along for the weekend (first race together in about four years) and I managed to bag some grid walk passes for a surprise. Well you can imagine his face when I told him we get to walk the grid before the race! Something that I will always remember fondly (thanks SRO)
My only "must do" is I want to see an IMSA race, maybe Daytona or Sebring would be cool. Maybe in 2018 if I save my pennies.
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I was at both of those races!
With Ron Fellows as part owner I think it will be like that for some time. An important issue for some of these older tracks is the creeping in of civilization in the form of housing. I have a nephew who works with the zoning department and in an unusual move, the Town of Clarington has zoned Mosport (CTMP) as a "racing facility". If Riverside had done this before it was bulldozed, it may have been spared. Just thought this was an interesting approach by the community to protecting the track and it's heritage.There's a race track I hope they never change, seriously quick
I've never seen a race live, but I'm hoping to see the F1 in Melbourne next year.
At that time i was following George Comacchio who raced with a Fiat 124 from Dino s Garage. I was free to walk around in the paddock so i have been able to see an meet some of the great drivers such as Jackie Stewart, Jackj Icx, Clay regazzoni , James Hunt,Denis Hulme an so on.I think that at those days the athmosfere in the racing world was alot different from now, the drivers really made the difference, not like today with all the electronics involved.
That's what always breaks my heart with Brooklands in the UK. It's a shame so much of it is gone now as it would be lovely if it had been kept intact rather than had housing and supermarkets built on parts of it. I know the circuit was in a bad state but the land was just too valuable I guess.
2008 British Grand Prix
One of the best F1 races of all time, still to this day Lewis Hamilton's favourite race, was where I first went to a motorsport event. I remember first turning up on the Friday midway through FP1 and being greeted by the deafening scream of a Williams going under the Bridge after Farm. Over the weekend, we pretty much explored every Grandstand, before having a thoroughly wet but awesome experience in the Grandstands on Sunday.
One of the best F1 races of all time, still to this day Lewis Hamilton's favourite race, was where I first went to a motorsport event. I remember first turning up on the Friday midway through FP1 and being greeted by the deafening scream of a Williams going under the Bridge after Farm. Over the weekend, we pretty much explored every Grandstand, before having a thoroughly wet but awesome experience in the Grandstands on Sunday.
Not sure it counts but my first experience was at Foxhall Health for the World Hot Rod Championships with the likes of George Polley and Barry Lee in the 70's they were driving Mark 1 Ford Escorts. It was this that got me interested as a child in other forms of motorsport including my first ever GP at Brands Hatch where I saw the Argentinan Carlos Reuteman beat Nikki Lauda and John Watson.
Sadly due to travel and moving abroad many of my keepsakes of these and many other great sporting occasions not to mention a huge autograph collection have long since gone but those memories still exist today.
Sadly due to travel and moving abroad many of my keepsakes of these and many other great sporting occasions not to mention a huge autograph collection have long since gone but those memories still exist today.
My first visit to a track was an old dirt track near here Atomic Motor Speedway. Got to see some Late Models and loved it. The first series I went to was Winston Cup at Bristol. I don't have season tickets any longer and rarely go, but Bristol is still my favorite track in the world of all I've been to. Short track racing whether it's on asphalt or dirt can't be topped. As much as I love F1, IMSA, Blancpain, etc, I still wouldn't choose any of them over a short track on a Saturday night. It's magical.
World F2 championship Donington Park 1979.
Stephen South, Derek Daly, Brian Henton, Rad Dougall, Eddie Cheever, Eje Elgh.
And still my favourite ever racecar is a March 792 in ICI or Polifac colours.
Interesting how a few people used to go and watch ont he short ovals, but very few do now. It is doing rather well as a sport, a lot of the venues are still there and you will find none of the snobbery, closed shop tripe you find in the bigger circuit series.
It has not changed that much and the racing is as good as ever.
As an aside I used to go to watch the 500GP at Donington every year and in 97 was at Day of Champions. We were on the pitwall watching a stunt rider a nd up popped Valentino onto the pitbox next to me, we exchanged pleasantries as I knew who he was, asked him if he was going to win and he said no! Then he jumped off the wall onto the track and decided he was going to get involved with the stunts, he later raced Leon Haslam on a scooter, but coz his was standard cut over the grass at Craners and drive a skip and a sofa in the pitlane!!
Stephen South, Derek Daly, Brian Henton, Rad Dougall, Eddie Cheever, Eje Elgh.
And still my favourite ever racecar is a March 792 in ICI or Polifac colours.
Interesting how a few people used to go and watch ont he short ovals, but very few do now. It is doing rather well as a sport, a lot of the venues are still there and you will find none of the snobbery, closed shop tripe you find in the bigger circuit series.
It has not changed that much and the racing is as good as ever.
As an aside I used to go to watch the 500GP at Donington every year and in 97 was at Day of Champions. We were on the pitwall watching a stunt rider a nd up popped Valentino onto the pitbox next to me, we exchanged pleasantries as I knew who he was, asked him if he was going to win and he said no! Then he jumped off the wall onto the track and decided he was going to get involved with the stunts, he later raced Leon Haslam on a scooter, but coz his was standard cut over the grass at Craners and drive a skip and a sofa in the pitlane!!
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