In the past few years Thailand has become increasingly popular with motor sport enthusiasts. Just last month we had the Race of Champions at Rajamangala Stadium and there are even talks of the possibility of staging in Bangkok, in November 2014, the first Formula One race at Ratchadamnoen Avenue or Muan Thong Thani.
Until then, both drivers and spectators can enjoy a score of other excellent events such as Bangsaen Thailand Speed Festival, Honda Racing Fest, Pro Racing Series Thailand Championship, and Toyota Motorsport. There are also plenty of cross-country and off road rallies, as well as motorcycle, drift and drag shows.
But, let’s face it, although we all have a need for speed, we either are not talented enough to be able to race at 300km/h or don’t have the monetary and technical support needed to maintain such an exclusive hobby. Still, there’s another option: go karting. Thailand abounds in go karting tracks and both Thais and Westerners alike have the possibility of racing around various circuits at the wheel of a kart with an engine size of their choice.
Go Karting in Bangkok
One of the most popular go karting circuits in Bangkok is run by Easy Kart, a company which also boast the biggest indoor go kart track in Asia. Since 2004, Easy Kart operates a 7,000 square meters facility at RCA Plaza, on Rama 9 Road, Soi Soonvijai. It provides night lightning, a computer timing system, a big screen TV to follow the races plus a bar and restaurant with a panoramic vista of the circuit.
One race is equal to 8 minutes and you are given three choices of karts. For children of ages between 7 and 13, the kart engine size is of only 100cc and can reach up to 25 km/h. Adults and children above 13 years old can choose between karts of 160cc and 270cc which can reach 40 and 60 km/h respectively. Prices are pretty steep in go karting, with 390 baht / 8-minute race for children’s karts and 420 baht for adult’s karts. Easy Kart RCA also has special rates for corporate visits of up to 200 guests or groups of at least ten people. The venue is open every day from 1pm to midnight.
If, after you’ve given go karting a try, you realize that it’s something you enjoy a lot, then you can join the races organized at the RCA track. They range from authentic F1 racing format, with warm-ups, qualifying rounds and finals, to endurance format, team events, and non-stop races. The layout of the track is chanced every two months and a list of Top 10 Pilots of the Month is electronically kept for men, women and children. On top of this, every Tuesday, at 8pm, you can benefit from free driver training from professional racers.
If you want to drive a kart outdoor, then Motorsports Land is the place to go. It is located on Pahanyothin Road and can be easily reached via underground and skytrain. It’s just a 10-minte walk from Pahanyothin MRT station and a 10-minute bus ride from Mo Chit BTS station. Prices are cheaper here, with only 200 baht / 10 minutes for children and 350 baht / 10 minutes for adults. If you know you’re going to return to Motorsports Land, then it is a good idea to apply for membership. For only 500 baht / year, you can get a discount of 50 baht each time you ride with them. Individual, families, companies and large groups are welcome. The grounds are sometimes used for concerts, festivals, fairs and sporting events.
Go Karting in Pattaya
Easy Kart also operates an excellent outdoor track in Pattaya. It boasts a two-track system and apparently is the biggest in Asia. Easy Kart Pattaya is located opposite Bali Hai Pier, just 200 meters from the Walking Street. It basically benefits of all the facilities available at Bangkok RCA track, with the exception that you can driver faster here. You can push the 270cc karts all the way up to 80 km/h, an increase possible due the larger track area.
There are two separate tracks: the Monza Track, which is 350 meters in lengths and where you can ride the 100cc and 160cc karts; and the Monaco Track, where you can test your driving skills on a 800-meter long circuit especially built for the 270cc karts. Prices and race times are the same, but the place opens earlier and closes later than in Bangkok (10am-1am). Easy Kart Pattaya can accommodate up to 500 guests at a time!
Another good place in Pattaya where you can tune your karting skills is Pattaya Kart Speed Way, a German-managed venue that has a 800-meter track for advanced riders and a 400-meter track for beginners. Alternatively, in case you’re not comfortable with driving on asphalt, then you can try the off-road karts on a special off-road track. And if you’re still looking for more excitement, then they also offer bungee jumping and paint ball activities. You can find Pattaya Kart Speed Way at Thep Prasit Road, half way between Jomtien Beach Road and Sukhumvit Road.
On the beginner’s track your family can ride a standard kart (250 baht), a two-seater kart (300 baht), or a baby kart (150 baht). On the 800-meter professional track you can get behind the wheel of a 2-stoke 100cc kart (500 baht), a special 2-stoke, 100cc kart (300 baht) or just a standard cart with a 4-stroke, 200cc engine. On the off-road track you can rent a big or small kart at 600 baht and 300 baht respectively.
Go Karting in Hua Hin
If you feel like escaping the madness of Bangkok and Pattaya, then the British-owned and managed Go-Kart Hua Hin is the place to go. It has a 750-meter course that will challenge even the experienced drivers but also provides the beginners a chance to improve their driving skills. The karts in Hua Hin are all ‘closed-wheel karts’ with a circular steel bumper offering increased safety, making it impossible for the kart to flip over even at high speeds. On top of that, prior throttle adjustment limits the speed drivers can push the karts to.
The place is open year-round from 10:30am to 7pm and it caters to a large range of customers, from families to large groups, from young to old, from disabled to professional drivers. Go-Kart Hua Hin has four different classes of vehicles available: the 6.5 hp junior kart for children and first-time drivers; the 6.5 hp and 9 hp twin seater karts with dual control for family rides and young drivers; and the 13 hp senior karts that can maintain an average track speed of 70 km/h.
Apart from their “arrive and drive” policy, Go-Kart Hua Hin also organizes full moon races, team endurance events, night racing, and Formula One style grid line-up. Ten minutes of racing cost between 400 and 500 baht depending on which kart you choose, but you can get more for your money with the “26 minutes deal” for 900-100 baht. It’s also cool that you can get a printout with the details of your average lap speed, best lap time, and even times for each lap.
Go-Kart Hua Hin is located among beautiful scenery on the north side of the town. You can get there by driving north on Petchakasem Road, toward Cha-Am. The venue is located one km north of the PTT Petrol Station near Soi 6, or 400 meters after the Police Hut, and directly across from the entrance to the Hua Hin Airport. Coming from Cha-Am, you simply make the first U-turn after going through the airport-runway tunnel.
There are other places in Thailand where you can drive a go kart, such as Saraburi and Chiang Mai further up north or Phuket and Krabi down south. Whichever you choose, you’re set to have a great time!
If you’re already into karting, then visit superkartthailand.com for kart-related products and accessories. Also, stay in touch with the latest racing news in Thailand (Thai only) and in the Asian region.
Photography by Neil Heron
Initially published in “Bangkok Trader” (Vol.7, No.2, January 2013)
