Very cool. As for the big name acts, nosebleed seats for the Red Hot Chili Peppers in Santa Clara were going for $380. Meanwhile, a weekend VIP pass for Gridlife Laguna Seca is $175, GA is $115. Single day tickets can be had for as low as $20.
Photography by J.A. Ackley
Recent reports say big music acts are having a hard time selling tickets this summer. We're talking A-listers, such as J-Lo, Justin Timberlake and Pink. Other live events have struggled, too.
For the Gridlife Midwest Festival, however, ticket sales don’t seem to be a problem. Scores of people braved long lines to get into GingerMan Raceway.
In fact, Gridlife closed the ticket windows on Saturday of the three-day show.
What’s the magic formula?
To sum it up, all are welcome.
That’s it.
But that’s so simple, you might say.
Indeed.
But so difficult to achieve.
At Gridlife Midwest, you saw folks from across the gamut of demographics.
It didn’t matter if you were barely old enough to shave or your hair’s long been gray.
It didn’t matter if you were a nerd, a jock or an outcast in high school.
It didn’t matter if you loved music, cars or motorsport more.
You were welcome at the Gridlife Midwest Festival.
That’s not the event organizers forcing this on their attendees with some cliché corporate slogan. No, it’s a genuine feeling felt throughout GingerMan Raceway, and not so much from Gridlife itself, but instead from its participants.
GLTC racers lent tools to some guy who they didn’t know with a drift car.
JDM enthusiasts marveled at a modded-out Tesla Cybertruck.
Zeds Dead fans vibed with Mersiv lovers.
Many forms of motorsport seem to be so homogenous. Heck, in everyday life we tend to aggregate with like-minded individuals, too. Perhaps it’s just natural as we find comfort in what are familiar with.
However, Gridlife somehow organically assembled this salad of people, where everyone adds their own flavor.
Sure, the lettuce tended to collect with other lettuce, but where it mixed with other ingredients is what made this event so desirable.
Want an example?
Grip Drift Taxi Sessions put drifters, time attackers, GLTC racers all on the track at the same time, often with passengers.
This kind of mixing is what our sport needs more of. Not only among different disciplines of motorsport, but also across different walks of life.
Yes, concert-goers tended to be there only for the concert and racers for the racing. But, for those whose curiosity led them to cross the divide, they found an even more rewarding experience.
One final thought.
What if one of those racers found their new favorite band? You bet the ravers would welcome them.
What if one of those EDM enthusiasts found their favorite new pastime, a motorsport of some sort?
I bet you’d welcome them as well.
Very cool. As for the big name acts, nosebleed seats for the Red Hot Chili Peppers in Santa Clara were going for $380. Meanwhile, a weekend VIP pass for Gridlife Laguna Seca is $175, GA is $115. Single day tickets can be had for as low as $20.
Very well said. The general GL paddock is such an off conglomeration of people to start with. We are all types, income levels and abilities but all are welcome and if something happens to your car or you, you will rarely have a lack of tools, help or even spare parts thrust at you.
The festival side is just as open and welcoming. Maybe its the preliferation of the copious amounts of THC in the air (that I don't particularly like nor partake) but people just don't care about your looks, your background or what you think about "X". They're here for a great time.
Sadly I missed this year, but I'll be at Road America for hte next festival!
I've never been to one of these events but it sounds right up my alley. Thanks for the write-up.
"Kids these days don't care about cars"
GridLife: "Hold my beer"
Kreb (Forum Supporter) said:Very cool. As for the big name acts, nosebleed seats for the Red Hot Chili Peppers in Santa Clara were going for $380. Meanwhile, a weekend VIP pass for Gridlife Laguna Seca is $175, GA is $115. Single day tickets can be had for as low as $20.
Good point: Pricing is definitely a factor. I've seen some pricier events this year draw much less. However, I'm a firm believer if you give people value, they'll be there. Ultimately, Gridlife Midwest offers a ton of value.
In reply to Kreb (Forum Supporter) :
Tickets for Friday at the Carolina Motorsports event in April were $45, which felt a little pricey. For the Midwest Gingerman event they were $105. I was tempted to go but not at that price. I paid $45 for a Friday ticket to Petit Le Mans last year. Gridlife is not all that.
We attended Gridlife Circuit Legends last year at Lime Rock and it was a blast.
I've been impressed that the organizers seem able to pull off so many different styles of events, but always keeping cars and motorsports front and center.
GridLife at Laguna last year was immense fun, I hope they get the numbers they get at Midwest Fest at Laguna this year.
petegans said:GridLife at Laguna last year was immense fun, I hope they get the numbers they get at Midwest Fest at Laguna this year.
I may have to start a gofundme but I am trying everything I can to make this one. LAguna is a bucket list, and this would be an amazing event to work.
I went to Gridlife at Road Atlanta on a whim in 2019, and had a blast camping in the infield, watching drifting and races, autocrossing my Challenge car, and the cars&coffee show. I remember thinking "This is exactly how you keep motorsports alive for the next generation". Unfortunately they haven't been back here since 
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