4 circuits in West Sussex run birthday parties events. The single thing that decides whether this works is age and height, and it catches people out constantly.
Burgess Hill, West Sussex
AR Kartz is an indoor electric karting centre on the Panattoni Park business estate at Goddards Green, on the western edge of Burgess Hill. The track is 350 metres long with 15 corners.
Price not published
Albourne, West Sussex
Brighton Karting is an 800-metre outdoor tarmac circuit on London Road at Albourne, near Hassocks in Mid Sussex, about ten miles north of Brighton. The track is 7 metres wide and floodlit.
Lancing, West Sussex
Despite the Brighton name, this TeamSport venue is on a business park on Chartwell Road in Lancing, west of the city. It is an indoor circuit of roughly 450 metres spread over more than one level, with 12 corners, a banked flyover and an enclosed tunnel section.
Price not published
Crawley, West Sussex
TeamSport Crawley is an indoor electric karting venue on Gatwick Road, close to Gatwick Airport and junction 10 of the M23. Its 750-metre track is built across three floors and has 15 corners, including a banked turn and long straights.
Price not published
The thing that catches groups out. Below the minimum you either pay for absent drivers or book an open session instead.
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.