If you’re looking for activities to occupy your family during the school holidays there’s plenty of motorsport-themed fun to occupy children of all ages this August. With opportunities to get involved, compete or just watch, there’s a motorsport for everyone in the family.
Karting
With children as young as six allowed to race karts, it’s the perfect introduction to motorsport. There are a plethora of options available, especially with the many pathways available through arrive-and-drive karting. The choice is now so varied, ranging from fun local events to indoor and outdoor karting, petrol-powered and electric, owner-driver and championships that run across the country. There’s something for everyone. Head here to see how to get started in karting.
Girls Karting Academy
Karting isn’t just or the boys; Motorsport UK’s Girls Karting Academy is designed to increase female representation in the sport and it’s the ideal way to get started. There are taster sessions at TeamSport venues throughout the country on 11th August but if you’re away on holiday, there are more opportunities during half-term later this year. The taster days teach vital racing skills as well as practical driving sessions. Head here to find and book a session.
Junior motorsport
If you’re looking to try something else, why not sample a discipline that under-16s can compete in? There are many that cater for children, with junior drag racing starting at the age of 8, while teenagers can drive road cars in Production car autotests or if the family car is an SUV, cross country tyro events. The list broadens at the age of 14 to car trials as well as many junior classes in autocross, rallycross, sprint, hill climb and racing. There are also volunteering options, with cadet marshals aged from 11 years. Head here to find out how to get started and here for our event locator to discover a competitive event near you.
Family motorsport events
If you’re looking for a motorsport-themed day out or inspiration to get your children competing, then there are some great family-friendly motorsport events to go to this August.
Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship
The BTCC is the UK’s biggest motorsport championship; it’s renowned for close, exciting racing, big crowds, packed support programmes and a friendly, open paddock. It also features support races that either feed into the BTCC or, in the case of the Wera Tools F4 British Championship, can lead to international racing. Many circuits also put on family-friendly activities including karting, funfairs, autograph sessions, food and merchandise stands. Unlike Formula 1, the BTCC has already had its summer break and there are two rounds this August:
Knockhill, Fife, 8-9 August – Short, undulating and always spectacular, the BTCC’s only Scottish round is a highlight of the season. Click here for more information.
Donington Park, Derbyshire, 22-23 August – situated in the middle of England, this is only of the easiest rounds to access and the circuit is great for spectating. Click here for more information.
British GT Championship
Snetterton, Norfolk, 15-16 August
The British GT Championship is another family favourite and it’s not hard to see why. The world’s best supercars are unleashed on the high-speed straights of Norfolk’s Snetterton circuit for one of the best sights and sounds of the season. Whether your child has posters of Aston Martin, Ferrari, Lamborghini or McLaren, they’ll love watching these cars in action. Plus there’s support from the Ginetta Juniors, in which drivers as young as 14 can compete as well as the GB4 and GB3 single-seater championships. Click here for more information.
British Truck Racing Championship
Donington Park, Derbyshire, 8-9 August
Truck racing is always popular with children and Convoy in the Park is one of Donington Park’s best-loved events. The most unlikely racing machines are spectacular to watch as the ten-tonne, thousand-horsepower titans take on the challenging East midlands circuit. Truck racing events also have a packed programme of support races showcasing the best in club circuit racing – including TCR UK, Pickup Trucks and MINI Challenge Clubsport – and off-track entertainment for all of the family including a show truck display and live action arena, including monster trucks. Click here for more information.