Are there any age or height restrictions at Daytona?
- Bambino drivers must be at least 6 years old and 107cm tall (3 ft 5 inches).
- Cadets/ Juniors must be at least 8 years old and 125cm tall (4 ft 1 inch).
- To race in a SODI, you must be at least 14 years old* and 142cm tall (4 ft 8 inches)
- To race in a DMAX, you must be at least 16 years old** and 142cm tall, and have sufficient karting experience to do so.
Children attending the venue must be accompanied by a parent or other responsible adult at all times.
*Experienced 12-13 year olds can undertake an assessment to drive in SODI karts, as long as they're tall enough.
**Experienced 14-15 year olds can undertake an assessment to drive in DMAX karts.
What should I wear go-karting?
We can provide gloves, a race suit, helmet and a wet suit if required. Please wear trainers or similar - when the track is wet they might get muddy so we advise not wearing new shoes. You should wear comfortable clothing appropriate for the season - our race suits are insulating so you won't need a jacket in the winter, nor a jumper in the summer. You must not wear a hoodie, scarf, or any loose headwear, as this is a safety hazard. You'll also be required to wear a balaclava if you're borrowing one of our helmets. These can be purchased from reception.
Can I bring my own helmet or other race equipment?
Drivers may supply their own safety equipment but it must be approved by the Race Director. Helmets and any other equipment must be to the appropriate standard. Full face helmets with a visor and appropriate approvals (BS type A) must be used. You can also wear your own race suit provided it meets the required standards. Race suits must cover the driver from neck to wrist to ankle and be of appropriate construction for racing.
Daytona does not accept any liability for any loss of such equipment or any injury caused where the driver’s own safety equipment may have contributed to the injury.
Is there a maximum height or weight for go-karting?
There are no maximum limits in place - our adult karts are fitted with XXL seats.
Do events run at night?
Yes, the circuits are floodlit with LED lighting to ensure optimum visibility after sunset.
What are your opening hours?
Our circuits are open at different times depending on the day and season. As a general rule of thumb, we're open all day on weekends and two or three weekday evenings. To see race scheduling you would need to look on the booking system on our website. You cannot go to a race without pre-booking it - we do not accept drivers who turn up without booking.
Our sales office is open 9am-6pm Monday-Friday, and 9am-5pm on a Saturday.
Do the circuits operate in all weather conditions?
The tracks will operate in all weather conditions except for severe snow, fog, and lightning. In the event of rain, or rain forecast during your event, wetsuits will be be made available to all drivers free of charge. Rest assured, your event is designed to proceed even in rainy conditions. Only in rare instances, when the race director deems it unsafe, will we consider not running due to heavy rainfall. In such cases, you will be promptly contacted before the event, providing you with the option to reschedule. Your safety and the quality of your experience are our top priorities.
Are spectators allowed?
Yes, we have outdoor spectator areas at of our venues. There will be race commentary during most events to keep spectators informed, and live lap times and positions available on TV screens in the venue. Children must be supervised at all times. Please note that dogs are not permitted at our venues at any time.
Is there a restaurant or bar at Daytona?
Daytona Milton Keynes and Tamworth both have restaurants on-site, serving hot food and can cater for large parties. Daytona Milton Keynes also has a licenced bar on-site, for people who have finished racing. If you're hosting a birthday party or corporate event at Daytona Sandown Park, we're able to provide catering using external suppliers. All three venues have barista coffee, cold drinks, snacks and slushies available.
Do I need a driving licence to race at Daytona?
No, nor do you need any prior go-karting experience. If you have not been before, we recommend you book onto a practice session in the first instance. If you are attending a private party (such as a corporate event) your event will consist of a practice session before the race, which should be sufficient. Each driver receives a full safety briefing before getting into the kart.
Can an adult race with a child at Daytona?
An adult can only race with a child in an Open Race or Practice Session if the child is over fourteen years old. If your child is under the age of fourteen you would need to book a private hire event in order to race with them - call us on 033 033 27870.
Under which circumstances would I not be able to race at Daytona?
Go-karting in unsafe for:
- Expectant mothers,
- People with heart conditions,
- People under the influence of alcohol or drugs,
- People with visual impairments,
- People with epilepsy or
- people with existing injuries.
Daytona reserve the right to refuse participation if we deem it unsafe to do so. Please note that we may not refund or waive any fees paid or owing in the event that we disqualify a driver for the above reasons.
Are there car-parking facilities?
All of our circuits are equipped with large, free carparks. Please note, Daytona are not responsible for any vehicle in our carparks. Please do not leave valuables unattended in your vehicles.
Can I just turn up and race?
No – all sessions must be booked in advance. You can book online or call us on 033 033 278 70 when our sales office is open.
Can Daytona provide racing for disabled drivers?
Yes, we can fit hand controls to race karts for drivers who are DVLA licenced to drive a hand-control car (pre-booking is required). Please discuss your requirements with a Daytona representative.
Can I film my race?
If you are using your own helmet, you can use your own Go-Pro as long as they are securely mounted - we recommend a chin strap. When using our helmets, you cannot attach anything to them aside from a ViewPoint camera, which can be hired from reception for £10. Chest-mounts or cameras mounted directly to our karts are strictly not permitted.
Can I fly a drone?
If you would like to fly a drone during a race, you would need special permission from our management. Call us on 033 033 278 70 when our sales office is open.
How fast are the karts?
Our 4-stroke karts (SODI/ N35-STs) have a top speed of 50mph. Our 2-stroke DMAX karts have a top speed of 70mph. Our junior karts have at top speed of 45mph.
I've never gone karting before, where should I start?
We recommend starting with practice sessions - 20 minutes of track time in a non-competitive format. For adults, this should be in our 4-stroke SODI or N35-ST karts, not our DMAXs. For junior drivers, Race School is recommended to teach young people the basics of kart control and the rules of racing. Race School runs during school holidays.
I'd like to drive in a DMAX, how experienced do I need to be?
DMAXs are for drivers who are experienced in karting. We recommend that you've driven at your chosen Daytona track in at least one 4-stroke Practice Session/ Open Race to get a feel for the track before driving a DMAX. The starting point in a DMAX kart would be a practice session - 20 minutes of uncompetitive track time to understand how it handles.
What is the difference between indoor & outdoor karting?
Outdoor karting is the progression from indoor. With larger tracks, faster petrol powered go karts and exposure to the elements, outdoor karting brings you the essence of true racing.
Can I do go-karting for my Duke of Edinburgh?
Karting counts towards a 'Skill' for Duke of Edinburgh, rather than a 'Sport'.
What's the longest amount of track time you offer?
Our D40 races consist of 10 minutes of practice and a 40 minute race, totalling 50 minutes of track time. However, we also offer team endurance races, which are 3, 6 or even 24 hour events.
Can I bring my own kart?
We do not run any owner-driver events at Daytona. If you wanted to bring your own kart and drive it round one of our tracks you would have to hire the track exclusively to do so.