Albufeira, Amsterdam and more
You get a briefing, race suit, helmet and gloves, then a session that usually runs about an hour: practice laps, a qualifying run and a scored final.
You get a briefing, race suit, helmet and gloves, then a session that usually runs about an hour: practice laps, a qualifying run and a scored final. Timing is automatic and the results go on a board, which is where the arguments start.
Indoor circuits run all year; outdoor ones are longer, faster and at the mercy of the weather. Both put a podium and a bottle of something at the end.
Wear trousers rather than shorts, and trainers. There are height, weight and footwear limits at most tracks, and you have to be sober.
Open a city to see the weekends you can add it to.
The tracks sit outside Albufeira: an indoor electric circuit about 15 minutes' drive from the centre, and outdoor tracks with 30-minute sessions. Indoors, each driver gets about 20 minutes on track in a grand prix format, with a medal for the winner. Sessions run between 11am and 6pm. Transfers are often not included, so book taxis or a minibus. One outdoor track closes in July and August, and the indoor track is the better bet in the heat of high summer.
Karting for Amsterdam groups happens at a large indoor track on the outskirts, about 30 minutes from the centre, with transfers as an optional extra. The grand prix format gives the group exclusive use of the track for around 90 minutes: a practice heat, a race and a final of roughly ten minutes each, with timing sheets and a trophy for the winner. Shorter sessions with about 20 minutes' driving each may share the track with the public. For something different there is wind-powered blokarting at up to 60km/h, but it relies on the wind and nobody can drink beforehand. Run it in daylight, before the evening starts.
Barcelona's karting tracks are 30 to 40 minutes from the centre, with indoor and outdoor options, so transfers from a city-centre meeting point are worth booking and may be shared with other groups. A standard session is two ten-minute races; the grand prix format adds practice and qualifying before a 12-lap final and takes about two hours, with 10 to 15 drivers per heat. Every driver needs a passport for the insurance, closed shoes rather than sandals, and a clear head, because tracks turn groups away if anyone has been drinking. Book it for the morning, before the beach and the sangria.
The closest indoor track is on Fazeley Street in Digbeth, about a mile from the centre, with a second in Halesowen, around nine miles out. Allow 75 minutes on site for 30 minutes of racing. A grand prix format with practice, five heats and a final for the top eight takes one and a half to three hours, with prizes for the top three. Drivers must be at least 125cm tall and fancy dress is refused. For something faster, an outdoor endurance-style race runs on a former airfield circuit outside the city.
Lisbon's karting is outdoors on a full circuit outside the city, racing 270cc karts: about ten minutes of practice and qualifying, then a 15-minute race and a podium with prizes, around two hours in all. Sessions run between 10am and 5pm, and the main track is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Because of heavy traffic, groups are told to aim to arrive 90 minutes ahead of the start time, so book transfers. Every driver needs photo ID, either a driving licence or a passport, must be 18 or over, and cannot have been drinking. It is weather-dependent, so keep a back-up plan.
The main outdoor circuit used by Liverpool groups is at Ashton-in-Makerfield near Wigan, so plan transport there and back. Its stag formats take about three hours on site: either an hour on track or three eight-minute heats and a final, with food afterwards. It opens 9am to 10pm, takes 12 to 20 drivers, and final numbers are due two weeks before. Indoor alternatives use multi-level tracks of roughly 475 to 900 metres, with sprint, mini grand prix or full grand prix formats over two to three hours.
Newcastle has two very different tracks. The indoor option is a 950-metre multi-level circuit with a flyover and twelve bends, where a grand prix format takes about two hours. The outdoor option is a 1,200-metre championship circuit a short drive out of the city, with 390cc karts that reach around 60mph and lap-time printouts at the end. There is also a combat-kart format with gaming-style power-ups for groups of eight or more. Wear closed shoes and active clothing, and tie back long hair. Outdoor sessions run all year, so pack a waterproof in winter.
3 nights
From £945 pp
Flights are not included.
An upgraded hotel in the centre of Amsterdam, with the canals and the bars walkable from the door.
3 nights
From £755 pp
Flights are not included.
An upgraded hotel near the centre of Barcelona, with return transfers to and from El Prat.
2 nights
From £230 pp
Flights are not included.
A three-star city-centre hotel in Birmingham, within walking distance of Broad Street and the canalside.
3 nights
From £640 pp
Flights are not included.
An upgraded central hotel in Lisbon, with short transfers to and from the airport.
2 nights
From £440 pp
Flights are not included.
An upgraded central apartment or hotel in Liverpool, within walking distance of Concert Square and the Baltic Triangle.
Most popular
2 nights
From £179 pp
Flights are not included.
Two nights in a Newcastle hotel or apartment.
IN THEIR WORDS
Brilliant festival … the event was organised extremely well and there was always someone on hand to help with anything.
Albufeira, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Brighton, Cardiff, Dublin, Lisbon, Liverpool, London, Newcastle and Prague.
In Albufeira, from £51 pp. In Amsterdam, from £68 pp. In Barcelona, from £50 pp. In Birmingham, from £53 pp. In Bournemouth, from £59 pp. In Brighton, from £55 pp. In Cardiff, from £55 pp. In Dublin, from £79 pp. In Lisbon, from £75 pp. In Liverpool, from £102 pp. In London, from £64 pp. In Newcastle, from £69 pp. In Prague, from £72 pp. Flights are not included.
Yes, in any of these cities: Albufeira, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Brighton, Cardiff, Dublin, Lisbon, Liverpool, London, Newcastle and Prague. Add it when you get an instant price, or ask us.
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