Attending a live race can be an incredible experience, where you’ll witness engineering at its finest blended with the most skilled driving on Earth. It’s a masterclass in how brilliant and artful humans can be.
A live race can also be kluge and void of reason. Sometimes, it proves that as bright as we are, we don’t always think things through.
Having been to races large and small, I can assure you that no race is perfect. Like any event, there’s a lot to like and plenty to hate.
Related: Honda’s merger with Nissan is rapidly falling apart
Which race is best to attend?
No single race or venue is “right.” Our advice is to attend the race that is most accessible to you. If that’s dirt-track drifting (which is really fun, by the way), please enjoy yourself. If that means you want to attend an F1 event, you won’t regret it.
All events and venues are different. We suggest going to a few races to see which you like best.
What you need to prepare for when attending a live race
Here’s what to prepare for before you go:
It’s loud
Bring earplugs or, better yet, noise-canceling earbuds like AirPods. Race cars are obnoxiously loud, and being exposed to them for hours can damage your hearing. Be prepared.
It’s expensive
We aren’t talking about tickets. Concession prices are through the roof these days.
If you can, bring your own water, at least. If the venue supports it, we suggest packing your own food unless you’re really into spending $40 for a greasy burger and fries.
Related: How this automaker dominated 2024 with 10.8 million cars sold
Viewing may be difficult
Small tracks have appropriately sized stands, and you can often see the whole track no matter where you sit. It’s cozy, and we love it.
Large races are usually not as viewer-friendly. You likely won’t see the entire track, and if you sit in the wrong stands, you might be sat on part of the track where nothing happens. Don’t get us wrong, racing is still incredible to see live, but if you can, find a place where cars may attempt to pass one another.
Parking can be a problem
If you attend a large race, you may have to park far away and take a tram to the venue. Some venues don’t have trams, so you may have to walk a mile or more to get in!
Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
Amenities and concessions are hit-and-miss
We suggest scoping out the bathroom situation first if you’re attending a large race. Large venues often have permanent buildings, and the bathrooms in those buildings are better than temporary bathrooms.
Second, figure out where to get food and water, even if you brought your own. Moreover, find out where to get cheap water; like amusement parks, vendors sometimes overcharge for water.
Unless that little tchotchke is a must-have item for you, and you can’t walk away from it for whatever reason, we advise that you shop online for what caught your eye at the race. Typically, merchandise at races carries massive markups, and the items can be found online at much better prices.
Related: KIA EV2 is coming in January 2026 – just not to the US
Nate Swanner
Sometimes, you can get really close
Some races don’t have many restrictions on where fans can go, so as long as you’re polite, you might find yourself on pit row!
Final thoughts
It’s hard to have a bad time at a race. Car racing is fun, and the people who attend races are wonderful, kind, and supportive. So long as you prepare for the noise, you’ll be just fine.
Related: Tesla drops Cybertruck lease price dramatically, offers free wrap