On the Brighton seafront in 1905, Dorothy Levitt left her Speed Trial competitors in the dust to take the trophy and set a speed record for women, at just shy of 80 miles per hour. Levitt was a sensation, becoming known as the Fastest Girl on Earth and going on to break many more speed records around the country. She represents a tendency of inclusivity in auto racing, which is sadly absent from today’s top tier motorsport world. But her legacy lives on in Brighton, where people of all genders, abilities, ages and walks of life can get involved with the most accessible and enjoyable motorsport around - kart racing.

They are small, fast and fun vehicles. They carry you around the track just inches above the tarmac and hurl you around corners with enough g-force to keep a smile on your face for the whole race. The top speeds of 60 mph plus sound pretty pedestrian compared to Formula One machines, but we guarantee you won’t feel like you’re going slowly when you’re on the track with the wind in your face. Another difference with the F1 big boys is the price, while hundreds of millions of pounds are pumped into the top drivers’ cars, you can enjoy this activity for a very reasonable price.

Where are the best karting tracks in Brighton?

• Hassocks: On the London Road going North, you can find an 800m outdoor karting track just 15 minutes from the centre which is the stuff that dreams are made of. Sharp corners, downhill straights and fast flyovers come in quick succession on this circuit, so you’ll need lightning fast reactions to beat your opponents and end up on the podium. There are 3 sizes of karts to suit racers of all stripes and different race events that you can enjoy. And, best of all, the track boasts an all-weather surface, so there’s no danger of being rained off. This is a year round petrol head paradise.

• Lancing: If you like the sound of indoor karting, look no further than the track in Lancing - along the coast. This is 450m of covered track set over multiple levels with hairpin bends, chicanes, climbs, descents, and a tricky double apex bend. The vehicles that are waiting to take you around this insane circuit are all electric, which means that they don’t emit greenhouse gases or bring down the air quality inside the space. This is eco-friendly motor racing - which doesn’t compromise on performance! You can go for a quick spin around the track, or invite your friends and race for first place, and we’re sure you’ll want to come back for more in no time!

How long does an experience last?

Travelling at average speeds of 40 mph, you can complete a single lap of one of Brighton’s karting tracks in less than a minute. But don’t worry, your experience won’t be over so quickly. You can participate in different race types that suit everyone’s schedules, and they all include some time to warm up before getting competitive.

- You can enjoy Grand Prix style action at the outdoor circuit in Hassocks. You’ll have 10 minutes of warm up and qualifying with your mates, before the chequered flag goes down on a 30 minute race. This event is about 1 hour long in total. Or to put your endurance to the test with your friends, enter as a team into a 2 hour race event, where you take turns in the kart. Teamwork and speedy changeovers are the key to success here! There are also 30 minute experiences which are perfect for kids.

- Most sessions at the indoor track in Lancing include 30 minutes drive time. In the less competitive modes, usually open races (that don’t include private bookings), kids, teens and adults can ride alongside one another without direct competition. Instead each rider attempts to set their best lap time in two 15 minute sessions. For something a bit more intense, you have two options. You can go for a 50 lap race where you line up against the competition on the starting grid and go head to head for a winner to emerge, or a Grand Prix with 5 minutes of warm up, 10 of qualifying and 15 of racing. There’s a more competitive element to these modes so it’s not suitable for children.

Requirements to do this activity

In general, the bigger karts and the more competitive races are reserved for adults, but that doesn’t mean that kids will get bored. In fact, getting a taste for speed is the origin story of most Formula 1 drivers. On the outdoor circuit, children can ride in 120cc karts from the age of 8, as long as they’re over 1.32 metres tall. There are also intermediate 200cc available for teenagers over 14 years old. The powerful 270cc beasts are reserved for adults over 17 years old. At the indoor track there are two sizes. If you’re between 8 and 12 years old you’ll take a junior kart, and anyone over 12 (with an inside leg measurement of at least 29 inches, or 75 cm) can ride an adult ones.

Individuals and small groups can join open sessions on this tracks, but the best way to enjoy a race is by bringing your friends and making them eat your dust! You can have private use of the indoor track if you have a group of at least 8, and at the outdoor track it’s 12 or 14 people depending on which event you choose. The upper limit is only determined by how many people you want to bring - if it’s a large group you’ll be split up so there aren’t too many people on the track at any one time, and those who aren’t racing can cheer the pilots on, or enjoy the off-track facilities. A circuit isn’t the most traditional choice for a birthday party, a stag or hen do, or a corporate event, but it’s a sure-fire way to make an impact.

Are you ready to go for gold? You’re in pole position with us, so just make a booking and prepare to race!