MotoGP with children at the Sachsenring: tips from experience

Is a MotoGP weekend at the Sachsenring worthwhile with children? Yes — if you plan hearing protection, grandstand choice and breaks properly. Five practical tips from personal experience with my daughter and son.

My children like watching along when I sit in front of the television on Sundays following MotoGP races. My daughter and son know the names of some riders and have their favourites: my son likes Marc Márquez (“the ant”), while my daughter is a fan of Fabio Quartararo (“Fabio Fantastique”). So I took them along to the race weekend. Here is what worked — and what you should know before doing the same.

1. Hearing protection is not optional

The volume of the MotoGP bikes is hellish — and children perceive noise even more intensely than adults. Without hearing protection, the weekend quickly becomes an ordeal rather than an experience for the little ones.

Suitable protection is available at almost every merchandise stand: around 10 Euro per pair, labelled with the riders’ race numbers. We chose the yellow 46. Important: wear the hearing protection only directly at the track. Things are so hectic in the paddock that children need all their senses — otherwise they could be run over by one of the many scooters.

2. The paddock is the real theme park

For children, the paddock offers more than the race itself. Michelin shows MotoGP tyres being fitted in an open tent — fascinating, even for adults. In the Dainese lorry, all the riders’ leather suits are on display; if you are lucky, you can have a look inside and touch the leather.

All team quarters offer fan cards of their riders to take away, and some even give out an ice cream cone — the best is available at Aprilia. And with a little patience, you can also catch your heroes when they briefly step out of the trailer. Unsurprisingly, the biggest crowds were in front of the blue VR46 lorries.

3. Choose the grandstand and seat carefully

At the Sachsenring, there is hardly a bad grandstand — thanks to the differences in elevation, half the track is visible. For families, a grandstand with covered or shaded seats is worthwhile, preferably not directly at the start-finish line: it gets cramped and loud there when fully occupied — rather tiring with small children.

Standing areas are cheaper, but tiring for children under ten throughout the day. We mixed it up: grandstand for the race, standing area for free practice.

4. Plan breaks and food

A MotoGP weekend is long. Three full days with sessions from the morning onwards, plus the journey there. Children cannot manage that continuously. Plan for:

• Breakfast before travelling — the queue at the entrance is usually too long for grumbling stomachs.
• Snacks and water in your rucksack — food at the circuit is okay, but expensive and involves waiting.
• At least one longer break between sessions, ideally in the paddock shade or in the car.
• Sun cream and a rain jacket — the weather at the Sachsenring changes quickly.

5. Paddock pass: the rare stroke of luck

Anyone who gets a paddock invitation has it particularly easy with children. The trailer has food, screens with live data and air conditioning. The many monitors provide an excellent overview of laps and times. Many thanks to the VR46 team for the invitation back then — it was a fantastic weekend.

If you do not have a paddock pass: VIP tickets with a pit-lane walk can also be bought, but cost considerably more than a normal ticket. Rather unrealistic for a single family weekend — but perhaps an idea for a milestone birthday.

The 2019 race

As in the previous year, Marc Márquez started from pole, followed by Fabio Quartararo and Maverick Viñales. Quartararo snatched the lead at the start, but retired later. Valentino Rossi fought his way forwards after 11th place in qualifying — in the end, Márquez once again pulled away from his pursuers and won.

Checklist for the family weekend

• Children’s hearing protection for each child (best bought on site, approx. 10 €)
• Sun cream, rain jacket, cap
• Snacks, water, glucose tablets
• Power bank for your mobile phone (site map, timetable)
• Pick up the programme booklet at the entrance
• Breakfast before travelling
• Sort out grandstand ticket or standing area in advance
• Plan for at least one break in the paddock

Conclusion

My impression: a MotoGP weekend with children works better than I would have thought — with one firm condition: without children’s hearing protection, it will not go well. The paddock is like a theme park for the little ones, while the race itself is overwhelmingly loud and fast. Plan breaks, pack snacks and ideally get the hearing protection right at the entrance. Definitely worthwhile — my two wanted to go again straight afterwards.