I know some people prefer to bring their kids to a racetrack and some may have to, but am I the only person who thinks racetracks are kinda loud for a baby. I do also think too many people are unnecessarily in the pits as it is. I understand they do make headsets for kids. When I was a kid I believe that only kids were allowed in the pits after the races were over. My home track is 14 or older until after the races. I understand you may be upset, but to swear off a racetrack seems kinda harsh.
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Good point :-)
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I also remember a video maybe posted on here or Facebook a few months ago of a winged sprint car landing in the pits and maybe hitting a parked car. It just barely missed some people, I know it was a rare fluke, but taking care of yourself would be hard enough nevermind a toddler.
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How do I get my son to my husbands hauler and/or the bathroom and/or the grandstands if I don't carry him? Let him run? I can assure you my child is well taken care of in the pits. I really don't need anyone on a message board to tell me that my kid has no place in the pits. Yes he always wears ear protection and yes he is always at my side. With two parents that grew up in race track pits safety is our number one concern. But with one parent who spends about 1/3 of all the nights in a year in race track pits, we will keep doing what we are doing to keep our family together as a family
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---------- Post added at 07:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:31 PM ----------

I saw a sprint car land on a picnic table near the concession stand at Lawrenceburg. My father and I had an entire wheel/tire fly over us in the main grandstands at Putnamville. I've had a bloody lip from a rock in grandstands. Use your head anywhere at a racetrack. We can't stop allowing people anywhere. And 12 year olds can strap into Jr. Focus midgets but shouldn't be allowed in the pits until 14?
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At the Bomber race earlier this year a tire came off a Hornet during hotlaps and flew past me in the pits at about 60mph. It hit a trailer and landed in the woods. That would easily kill someone. Pits really aren't a safe place for anyone, not just kids. You gotta stay alert at all times.
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It wasn't too long ago that women weren't allowed in the pits at all. I always say an extra prayer to the racing gods if I feel the need to enter the pits before the feature starts. I consider myself lucky they let me in at all. It's just not a place for kids, though. Sorry, we all know how racing can be a disruption to 'normal' family life. At least you've got a place where people understand how ya' feel in that respect!

I've seen enough in my time, and I'm not trying to discredit anyones parenting abilities. I also don't think we should live in a fearmongering world. I understand racing for a living is one thing, and that family bond is important and at times required. It's also why I think I like racing so much. I also imagine I was sitting in my moms arms at 17 months old in the stands. Those stands at times can be less safe then the pits.

But if you are just a fan driving 15-30 minutes to a track down the road, babies don't always need to be there. If they are allowing you to pay, either pay or sit in the stands.
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It's not a disruption to 'normal' family life. It's the only family life my family has ever known.

You all are lucky because back when I raced back a few years ago no one under sixteen was allowed in the pits no matter what I had to sneak in. Why would anyone with small kids want to go in the pits anyway you can't see the races as good as in the grandstands.

I see everyone's point!
But if the track says kids can come in they should The Parent is the only one who should decide what they do with their own children not me or you!
She will come back she is upset and should be!