Kart your weekend
Heather Greenaway explores some of the tracks where you can teach the video game generation a racing trick or two
THE kids have proved they can take you in a virtual game of Super Mario Kart, so why not show them who is boss on a real-life track?
Many of Scotland’s karting centres have family sessions where adults can go head to head with their pint-sized Lewis Hamiltons and Susie Wolffs. Here we take a lap round some of the nation’s most popular speedways.
Knockhill Racing Circuit, Fife
Scotland’s National Motorsport Centre offers karting sessions for all ages from eight years.
Mixed karts out on track at the same time will allow you a little friendly competition and a lot of laughs.
Ten, 20 and 30-minute sessions are available. Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm; Saturday and Sunday, 10am6pm. Family sessions: 10 minutes – adults £15, under-16s £10; 20 minutes – adults £24, under-16s £18; 30 minutes – adults £30, under-16s £24. Call 01383 723337 for more info or book at www.knockhill.com
Kartstart, Mitchelston Industrial Estate, Kirkcaldy
This 420m track features fast corners and long, even faster straights.
There are cub karts and kiddie quads for four to eightyear-olds. They also have a cafe area with games machines and a pool table for those who prefer to stay on the sidelines. Monday and Friday 1pm-9.30pm; Thursday 3pm-9.30pm; Saturday and Sunday 12noon-8.30pm. Family Pack – two adults and two kids (eight-plus) – 20 minutes £68, 30 minutes £88. Call 01592 650200 for more info or book at www.kartstart.com
Scotkart, Westburn Road, Cambuslang
Fuel your fun on Scotland’s longest and fastest indoor go-karting track, where their family experience allows you to race against other adult drivers accompanying kids.
Hurtle along the 450m track in state-of-the-art racing karts alongside your budding Jackie Stewarts, who will be at the wheel of smaller and less powerful cadet karts.
Monday to Saturday, 9am-11pm; Sunday, 9.30am
11pm. Adult and cadet (eight years and upwards) drivers £22 per person. Call 0141 641 0222 for more info or book at www.team-sport. co.uk/scotkart-go-kartingscotland
Inverness Kart Raceway, Fairways Business Park
If your children have been hammering you on the virtual tracks of their game consoles, then why not give them a taste of real-life action on this super-duper 320m raceway.
You can also get a slice of the pizza action with their family-sized meal offer. Monday to Saturday, 10am-9pm; Sunday, 10am-8pm. Junior Arrive and Drive (two sevenminute time trial sessions): off-peak junior (eight to 15 years) £14, adult £16; peak times
junior £16, adult £18. Add a pizza that serves four from £9. Call 01463 717055 for more info or book at www. invernesskartraceway.co.uk Xtreme Karting Falkirk, Lochlands Business Park, Larbert
This epic track features a bridge and tunnel section.
No one is too old to enjoy karting, so why not show your kids how your childhood skills mastering the bogie can be transferred to the modern speedway? Monday to Friday, 12noon10pm; Saturday and Sunday, 10am-10pm. Family Race Practice Experience – a minimum of one adult (aged 16-plus) racing with juniors (10 to 16) is required, two seven-minute sessions – £20. Call 01324 579797 or book at www.xtremekarting.co.uk