3 tracks in Lancashire run birthday parties events. The single thing that decides whether this works is age and height, and it catches people out constantly.
Blackpool, Lancashire
Formulakart is an outdoor hire-kart circuit on Queen's Promenade at North Shore, Blackpool, about a mile north of the Tower. The 750-metre concrete track sits in a bowl-shaped arena, averages 9 metres across and is edged with tyre barriers.
Colne, Lancashire
Prestige Go Karting is an indoor kart track at Holker Mill on Holker Street, off Burnley Road in Colne, east Lancashire. The same site has a laser battle arena.
Preston, Lancashire
TeamSport Preston is at the Walton Summit Centre in Bamber Bridge, on the southern edge of Preston. The main circuit is 500 m long and spread over three floors, with twelve corners.
Price not published
Session price divided by minutes on track, calculated the same way everywhere. Group event pricing differs, so treat this as a guide to relative value.
Manchester
Chaos Karts in Manchester is not a conventional kart circuit and does not compare to one. There is no fixed layout, no lap record and no tarmac. Electric karts run inside a projection-mapped hall, with tracks and themed worlds beamed onto the floor and walls, and augmented reality weapons and power-ups you use against the other drivers.
Price not published
Liverpool, Merseyside
TeamSport Liverpool is on Sefton Street in Liverpool. It has two indoor circuits: a 475-metre multi-level main track with 10 corners and a separate 275-metre Starter track, and members can race a 725-metre International layout that joins the two.
Price not published
Manchester
TeamSport Manchester Trafford Park is an indoor karting track on Wharfside Way in the Trafford Park industrial area, west of Manchester city centre. The 450 m circuit runs over more than one level, with twelve corners and a flyover section.
Price not published
Manchester
TeamSport Manchester Victoria is an indoor electric kart track underneath the Manchester Arena car park, beside Victoria station in the city centre. The 550-metre multi-level layout has 15 corners and includes a flyover section.
Price not published
Always check both. The gap between a 1.20m and a 1.40m minimum is the difference between an eight-year-old driving and watching.
Purpose-built junior karts fit smaller drivers properly. Some tracks also fit remote speed limiters so staff can build a nervous child up gradually.
Children mixed in with adults have a worse time. Ask whether junior sessions run separately.
Food, a private room, a podium and a trophy make it a party. Without them it is a driving session with cake in the car.