Karting at Haynes

Unclaimed listing Sparkford, near Yeovil, Somerset · Operated by South West Karting Ltd Checked 1 Aug 2026

Circuit layout pending — we only publish geometry from OpenStreetMap or the operator, never drawn by hand.

Cost per minute on track
£1.75

We calculate this the same way for every track

Length
400m
Type
Outdoor
Corners
8
Access
Hire karts
Min age
8 years
Min height
130cm

About the track

A 400-metre outdoor circuit beside Haynes International Motor Museum, laid on the museum's own test track. Petrol karts on tarmac, and a layout with proper braking zones and room to overtake.

Tag Heuer timing, a start/finish gantry, digital flags and a pit wall mean spectators watch from trackside rather than behind glass. Track lighting is installed.

Top speed of 50mph is the operator's published figure, not an independent measurement.

The karts

  • Tony Kart Viper 270cc four-stroke (adult)
  • Tony Kart Viper 160cc four-stroke (cadet)
  • BIZ Dual Drive 270cc side-by-side twin seater
One thing we're checking: Cadet karts carry DeHaardt shutdown units, so staff can remotely limit speed until a young driver is confident. Run unrestricted, they lap close to the adult karts.

Sessions and prices

Set by the track. You book direct — we don't add a fee.

Arrive & drive — 20 minutes Two sessions on track, back-to-back or with a break between.
£35per driver
Grand Prix, endurance and race events Offered — price not published
Ask the track
Balaclava & glovesCompulsory unless you bring your own. Yours to keep.
£5per driver
Real cost for two drivers: £80. That's £35 each plus the £5 compulsory kit charge.

Good for

Arrive & driveBirthday partiesStag & henTeam buildingGrand PrixTeam endurance

Opening hours

Monday to Friday
10:00 - 17:30
Saturday and Sunday
09:30 - 17:30

November to February the track closes no later than sunset. Latest arrive & drive arrival is one hour before closing.

Planning your visit

Arrive 15 minutes earlyYour booked slot is your on-track start time, not your arrival time
30 minutes of kartingAllow around 1 hour on site
SuperSprint 30Allow around 45 minutes on site
Grand Prix, 11 driversAllow around 1 hour 30 on site
Up to 10 karts on track 8 for younger drivers. Adults and children are not usually mixed unless they are one family group, though it can happen at peak times.
In the rainSessions run in the wet — the karts stay on slicks all year, so you drive to the conditions. Only torrential rain or flooding stops play, with 24 hours' notice where possible.
Bringing your own helmetOwn helmets accepted if they meet BS6658:1985 and carry the BSI Kitemark. Motocross helmets need goggles.
Action camerasHelmet-mounted action cameras tolerated if securely fixed. Chest and wrist mounts are not allowed.

Accessibility

  • Step-free throughout except the changing room, which has a small step.
  • Twin-seater karts available where a disability or medical condition prevents driving safely. Call ahead to discuss.
  • Twin seaters cannot take part in race events, only standard sessions.
  • Shared car park with the museum, with overflow parking behind.

Questions people ask

Is it indoors or outdoors?

Outdoors. Only the reception, changing and briefing room and a covered waiting area are under cover.

Do they race in the rain?

Yes. The karts run slick tyres year-round, so wet sessions are a different challenge rather than a cancelled one. They stop only for torrential rain or flooding, and aim to give 24 hours' notice.

How young can children drive?

Eight, in the cadet karts, provided they are at least 1.30m and can press the brake fully with a slight bend still in the knee. Adult karts start at 12 or 5ft. A six-year-old can ride as a passenger in a twin seater.

How long will we be there?

Roughly an hour for a 30-minute session, 45 minutes for a SuperSprint 30, and around an hour and a half for a Grand Prix with 11 drivers.

How many karts are on track at once?

Up to ten adults, or seven to eight for younger drivers depending on ability.

What should I wear?

Comfortable clothes and closed shoes — no sandals or flip-flops. Overalls are provided, waterproof ones when it rains, though a change of clothes is wise in heavy wet. Scarves cannot be worn on track.

Can I bring my own helmet?

Yes, if it meets BS6658:1985 with the BSI Kitemark. Motocross helmets are fine with goggles.

What if fewer people turn up than I booked for?

You pay for the number booked unless you give at least seven days' notice, because the track time has been reserved for your group.

Can spectators watch?

Yes, there are several viewing points around the circuit, and the pit wall puts you close to the action.

Does karting include museum entry?

Not at present, though the operator has said they would like to offer it in future.

Getting there

Sparkford, near Yeovil, Somerset, BA22 7LH
01963 400591
[email protected]

Where this came from

  • contact, pricing, opening hours — https://southwestkarting.co.uk (Operator's own site)
  • karts, eligibility — https://southwestkarting.co.uk/thekarts/ (Operator's own site)
  • visit, capacity, weather, accessibility, faqs — https://southwestkarting.co.uk/faqs/ (Operator's own site)