Auto Races ???

[Argie's Wife]

Is there somewhere, other than the race tracks in Louden, that I could take a little boy to see a car race?

I'm not looking for anything commercial, large, or all that loud. A small venue would be best, as he has autism. I think a NASCAR event would be too much for him at this point, but he's dying to see some race cars making left-hand turns. Even a street racing event would be a hit with this kid.

Thanks! :)

[Hermit Cover]

What about the Go Kart weekends at Loudon...(these are NOT your Weirs Beach bumper karts....) Much more sophisticated and usually with drivers beginning around age 8 to adults in many different classes....on a smalller scale with a smaller crowd and not the eardrum bustin' noise. My kids grew up with racing karts at Summit Point Raceway in West Virginia....Fun...Fun

[GM doc]

Epping for drag racing. quick, And then 2 more down the strip. It can be exciting.

[pcmc]

A while back there was track called SugarHill Speedway. This was an oval dirt track that raced quads, ect... I heard the entire place had been redone. Might be worth looking into to see if its what your looking for.

[Hermit Cover]

As an afterthought...look up NH Int. and check out the Legend Cars Weekends and other car classes also.....much less congestion and not the wild weekend Nascar brings....left turns galore!!

[upthesaukee]

Lee has a 1/4 mile or perhaps as large as 1/2 track on Rte 125. About 45 minute ride from Alton.

Here's a link to their website.

http://www.leeusaspeedway.com/

[trfour]

A W, try this out. This link will give you there schedules, contact info and directions if you should be interested. Its a small track and not far from the Lake.

Link to their website; http://www.leeusaspeedway.com/Directions/tabid/66/Default.aspx

Good luck.

Terry
_____________________________________

[Pepper]

I love the Legends idea at NHIS, because he'll get the experience of the racing, without the crushing crowds, and without the deafening noise.

I'm concerned that the noise at Lee would be more than he'd be comfortable with. It's loud enough to be heard a few miles away at the dragstrip on a hot summer's night.

There is also a small dirt track up in Canaan, which has stock car racing on Friday nights in the summer. The venue is the right size, but again the noise might be a bit more than he'd be comfortable with. It's also a bit of a drive, so that might add another issue to the mix as well.

I'll see if I can come up with any other ideas. ;)

[dpg]

If he'd wear them some type of ear protection may help, believe me he won't be the only person there using something.

[Lakesrider]

I used to race Sprint cars. I would also suggest Lee Speedway. There are these little things called ear plugs that cut down on noise, while still being able to feel it.;) Plus the people at the Lee track are a very friendly crowd. Of course you need to watch out at any venue of the folk that might have had a few in the parking lot before the race. Happens at every race.

BTW, Road runner and Late Model classes have been cut at Lee. Not enough cars. The Small block races are the ones to see.
You should also check out the NHMS website as they have what is called track days, and spec racer races there. No drinking crowds at those races. You will meet great people there and might even get the boy a ride in a car, for a lap around the track. Check out the Vintage race cars on May 17-22 and the 24 hours of Lemons. Fun race.

They also do the Legends cars there, as well as several different sports car clubs, that use the track, such as COM. Com is just regular folks driving almost regular cars on the track just for fun.

http://www.uslegendcars.com/

http://www.comscc.org/

Just for a few different options.

[robmac]

NHMS also has the SCCA events. These cars race the clock on a preset course and aren't too loud and no sardine type crush of spectators. All in all a great event.

[Blue Thunder]

The former Star Speedway is now called Hudson Speedway in Hudson, NH. A very inexpensive alternative.

http://www.starspeedway.com/

BT

[Happy Gourmand]

Star Speedway and Hudson Speedway are not the same. Star is in Epping...Hudson Speedway is in Hudson...both are active. I believe Star is opening this weekend.

[martran]

Theres a dirt track in Canaan opening soon. always a lot of kids there

[dragonfly03246]

There are several "local" tracks in New Hampshire you can take your boy to. White Mountain Motorsports in Woodstock on Route 3 - several of the area boys and families race there on Saturday night. True, short track racing at it's best!

http://www.whitemtnmotorsports.com/


There's also Canaan Speedway in Canaan

http://www.canaanspeedways.com/

and as listed above, Star Speedway and many others.

We perfer White Mountain because many of the drivers are friends from Laconia, Belmont, Gilford and other towns in the area.

[gtxrider]

I would say LEE and STAR...check to see when the NEMA Midgets or ISMA Super Modifieds are there.

STAR is still STAR, HUDSON is still HUDSON
Hudson Speedway is operated by the owners of Star Speedway

Also check out NHMS schedule there is a lot going on and not just NASCAR. They have their annual Vintage Cars in May. 17-22. The Legends are at NHMS this weekend..4/16


NEMA is at Twin Sate Speeday in Claremont June 11th
and at LEE on Juyl 15th

http://www.nemaracing.com/

ISMA is at LEE on Aug. 19th and Star on Sept 10.

The race at Star is a big one 150 LAPS

http://www.ismasupers.com/

[6meter]

There is a dirt track up in Wentworth on Rte25. They usually run on Sat evenings in the summer.

[jmen24]

AW,

I have been to many different races and styles of races in my lifetime. Growing up 2 miles (as the crow flies) from Bryer Motorsports Park and then the current speedway NHMS. I been to the motorcycle races (professional and local club) SCCA sanctioned events, karts, Nascar (in the stands as well as the boxes), Indy, manufacturer specific club events. Off location, Motocross events, Hare scrambles, ATV and snowmobile racing and Formula 1.

But the one type of race that I use to go to with my father when I was about 6 or so that I can still tell you what happened with great detail as it was and is still the most fun I have ever had watching a race, is the super low budget racing at any short track. The cars are terrible looking and the drivers are not professional at all, but a Friday night "Run what you Brung" race can't be beat. The first race I ever saw was this style at Lee Speedway.

This is not the tight and technical races of the regional or national touring series, but the local folks that are out there, are running just for the bragging rights. Most folks that are into racing, brush this off as knuckle heads beating each other up in a demo derby race. But as a kid, it is the most excitement you will find.

But it sure beats watching cars go around and around and around. Unless your a fan of the sport, you don't see the small things that are happening. A kid certainly isn't going to see those small things. My kids fall asleep at the Nascar events, but can't even sit down at these small track beat and bang events.

That's my thought for getting young kids into racing, as that was my first experience and it spurred a great love for the sport of racing anything with an engine.

Depending on the age of your kids you could bring them down to Sugar Hill Speedway, Rt 106 RacePark or F1 Boston and take on racing a kart that makes most karting locations feel like pushing a shopping cart. The rigs at F1 Boston will break loose if you come into the throttle to fast and top out at 50 or so. Not for the little little one though, that is why I mentioned age. Adults, if you think you know how to handle a car at speed, go jump into a fire suit, full face helmet and put on your neck brace and see what you really know about fast. They all rent everything you need. F1 Boston rented us the entire track for a 4 heat qualifier and a 30 lap main event for a group of 10 (walk ons are much cheaper than that). Worked out to be $100 per person, for our company outing. Check it out, SOOOO much fun.

Lights, flags, the smell of rubber and gas. Nothing beats it.

[AllAbourdon]

NHMS also has the SCCA events. These cars race the clock on a preset course and aren't too loud and no sardine type crush of spectators. All in all a great event.

As a participant and spectator i highly recommend this!

[Winnisquamguy]

All the above are great places to see a race! The Summer Nationals down in Worcester MA is always a great show. The only bad part it is July 4 weekend. If you have time check it out.

http://www.summernationals.com/index2.html

[Happy Gourmand]

...except my experiences were and are st the Hudson Speedway. Took my son there years ago....now he takes his 4 yr old son there almost every week. I attend often with them when I'm not at the lake. I have way more fun watching my grandson's reactions while he watches the races...he's really in to it. We also watch NASCAR races together too...though he enjoys them too, he gets relatively bored compared to watching the races at hudson.

[Two dobys]

Beechridge in Scarborough Maine would also be a good track to bring him to, close to Cabela's also. Thursday night thunder is great for the kids and theyb also have some demolition races also

[winniboy]

Come on over to Canaan Fair Speedway. Friday is dirt which is fun..but the real action comes on Saturday nights. http://www.canaanspeedways.com/home.html
Tons of great action going on. Come into the pits and visit the 36 late model car..orange and black in color and we can show you around what it takes to make a successful night of racing from the pit crew side of it.

[Waterbaby]

These are all great ideas - some tracks I didn't even know about or had forgotten about!

One caution, however, about Lee USA for anyone contemplating going - you have to go over a bridge to get to the bleachers. Hard to describe, but when you get there you go through the concession area (where all of the bathrooms also are), then have to climb about 15 steps to cross this wooden footbridge, and down the 15 steps on the other side. Doesn't sound like much but believe me, after the third trip over................. well................ :rolleye2:

[Belmont Resident]

I believe there is some sort of race going on EVERY weekend from now till fall.
Lots of private organizations use the track. Many are motorcycle races but many are racing cars they drive there, race then drive home.
We see them all the time.
I get a kick out of the minni bloopers(coopers) all dolled up. Theres more torque in my lug nuts but they go fast.

[Argie's Wife]

Thanks all for the info...

I like the looks of the Canaan track - that's more what I had in mind for the little guy. I'm still checking out some of these - looks like most tracks opened up this week or will be opening up next week....

[SIKSUKR]

When going to Lee raceway, make sure you don't take a wrong turn into the Cedar Waters nudist facility! That's a very different kind of racing.:laugh:

[angela4design]

"Run what you Brung"... wow, I remember my Dad running his beastly V8 Chrysler wagon on that! That's great...

[GsChinadoll]

My husband and I used to bring our kids, and stragglers, to Hudson when they were young and just like jmen they still remember the fun to this day. One time I took them and they begged me to enter the spectators race.... if I thought I had a ride home if I crashed, I might have gone for it! The kids will love it!

[trfour]

Guns It Around NHMS.

WMUR News; http://www.wmur.com/news/27675542/detail.html

Clips and Video. http://www.nhms.com/


Terry
_____________________________

[gtxrider]

In the middle of May NHMS (formerly NHIS) has vintage. You can walk around the infield and look at the cars close up. Earlier in the week the open wheel cars are there (midgets, champ cars, sprint cars and old Indy cars) Ah the sound of an OFFY and the smell or methanol. I always remember the advice I got from the owner of the midget I used crew for. "Never turn your back on a race car". That was hard to do in the infield of the little 1/4 mile tracks like Islip.

I just remember taking my nephew to a Indy car race when he was little and he got bored. Years later we went to Dayton and he was not bored at all...He goes to all kinds of races now..Supers, Midgets, Sprint Cup, TQs, Champ cars, Modifieds.....He even has his own GO KART..

Start them young!!!

[tinkham masonry]

there are two places near by one being in cannon which is a paved track that takes place on sat. during the summer months. the other is in rumney nh that is on fridays nights i beleive. i take my son to this one often,. its a small dirt track that is more family run/ only about fifty to hundred people attent and is cheap. if i remember correctly about ten dollers a person and under 8 i think is free. check out the site i think the place is called rattlesnake speed way good luck:liplick:

[Grandpa Redneck]

there are two places near by one being in cannon which is a paved track that takes place on sat. during the summer months. the other is in rumney nh that is on fridays nights i beleive. i take my son to this one often,. its a small dirt track that is more family run/ only about fifty to hundred people attent and is cheap. if i remember correctly about ten dollers a person and under 8 i think is free. check out the site i think the place is called rattlesnake speed way good luck:liplick:

A couple corrections/clarifications on this post.
Caanan has 2 tracks in one place. They run a DIRT track on Friday nights, and a Pavement track on Saturday nights, the track in Rumney may or may not run this year. It was Rattlesnake 2 years ago, it stunk manager was a fool, last year it was Big Daddys Speedway, better run and lots of facility upgrades, but his lease wasn't renewed by the greedy bums that own the place.

[6meter]

A couple corrections/clarifications on this post.
the track in Rumney may or may not run this year. It was Rattlesnake 2 years ago, it stunk manager was a fool, last year it was Big Daddys Speedway, better run and lots of facility upgrades, but his lease wasn't renewed by the greedy bums that own the place.
Is that the one on Rte 25 just after the lumber mill/ Rte 118 on the left?

[Jmo77011]

There is Riverside Speedway in Groveton. It's a bit of a ride, but the track is very family friendly and the area is beautiful! It's a great place to see some races. I know they race every weekend in the summer, but I am not sure when they start up.

[Grandpa Redneck]

Is that the one on Rte 25 just after the lumber mill/ Rte 118 on the left?

Yes that is the one.

[trfour]

LOUDON, N.H. -- More than 20 teams from colleges in the United States, Canada and Sweden are at New Hampshire Motor Speedway this week as part of the annual Formula Hybrid International Competition.
The teams spend the entire school year building a racecar that runs partly on fossil fuels, such as gas or diesel, but also on an electric motor.
The students design, build and even get sponsors for their vehicles.

Watch video,
Read more: http://www.wmur.com/news/27759330/detail.html#ixzz1LKAfAvHs


Terry
_______________________________

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