You don’t need a licence to enjoy all the fun and excitement of go-karting at Tailem Bend’s Motorsport Park. Kids from age eight can experience the thrill, thanks to their new family, tandem karts.
Review by Carla Caruso
If you’ve ever wanted to experience what it’s like to be a race car driver, then The Bend Kartdrome is THE place to head!
Maybe you know The Shell V-Power Motorsport Park at Tailem Bend – about an hour’s drive from the city – as a location for spectator sports, like car and motorbike racing.
But did you know that you can also get out on its very own go-kart track and feel the wind whistling through your (helmet) hair?
The motorsport park has three outdoor circuit configurations – 440m, 680m, and 1.2km. It also has three varieties of go-karts:
- adult karts (for those 14+, minimum height 138cm) READ OUR REVIEW
- junior karts (for kids aged 10+), and
- family, tandem karts. (Kids in the tandem karts must be aged at least eight, with a height minimum of 100cm – and only adults can drive them)
The go-kart fleet is made in France and has Honda engines to power them up to 70km/h. (The junior karts only go up to 50km/h, however.) Features include F1 steering wheels, roll-bars, harness seatbelts, adjustable seats, and high front blades. Grand Prix sessions are also available, with timed qualifying and races.
We went to try out the family tandem karts, on the 440m circuit, one sunny Sunday (although we also had a go of the junior and adult karts while there).
After signing waivers (parents/guardians sign for those under 18), we headed to a room to watch an instruction video. Here, we learned about the rules on the track, including the different flags used and how you can give a thumbs up or down to have your speed increased or decreased while out there.
After the video, we had to slip on a hairnet and find a helmet with a snug fit. I also had to tie up my hair – and leave my handbag behind the counter as you don’t want to lose any valuables out on the track! They also have lockers available.
Then the time came to head outdoors and find our allocated karts. Unlike my husband, I’m someone who, in real life, drives just to get from A to B, not because I particularly enjoy the experience. So, I had a little trepidation about giving go-karting a go. One of my sons drew the short straw in having to share a kart with me!
But I felt more at ease as the staff checked over the karts, including that our seats and the steering wheel were at the right distance, and that we were safely secured in our harnesses. They also make it super-easy for drivers by making the brake red and the accelerator green.
Each of our kart’s engines were then started and, one by one, we were pulled onto the track, while putting our foot on the accelerator. I felt a bit nervous about where to go as I headed down the pit lane, but I was told just to follow the traffic cones – and it was easy-peasy, thankfully.
Since trying go-karting, I have newfound respect for race car drivers. Going around a circuit requires such concentration, especially when navigating corners, and it’s a workout with the wind buffeting you. But it’s also a lot of fun and a great way to zone out from the rest of your mind chatter and just focus on the activity at hand.
All right, so my husband lapped me a lot in his go-kart, but I was just happy to go at my own ‘nanna’ pace!
Also, my son in my husband’s kart got a little motion-sick, as can happen, and had to have a breather in between sessions before trying a junior kart!
My husband later tried an adult kart and said it was a lot faster than the tandems. But it was nice to have a shared experience, with a passenger, in the family karts.
I watched from the viewing deck while the others tried go-karting solo and got all-important memories captured on my phone.
The day we went, we had the track to ourselves. But if others are out there, and you’re new to karting, you can just drive to your own ability and allow faster drivers to pass you.
Although the session times sound short, it feels long when you’re out there and you’re not too disappointed when the chequered flag is raised for you to finish up.
The end of your session also means it’s time to head indoors and check out your race time and how you placed. Winners are grinners too – they can get a shot on the mini podium!
We capped off our go-karting adventure by perusing the Auto Gallery museum at the Motorsport Welcome Centre nearby (hello, Ferraris) and then grabbed something to eat at the local Tailem Bend OTR. Take your pick from Hungry Jack’s, Wokinabox, Krispy Kreme, and more.
What a weekend! The experience is great as a unique family activity but would also be fun as a birthday celebration with friends. My boys will be back – with their mates.
What we like about it
- Fun group activity
- Only an hour’s drive from the Adelaide CBD
- Chance to try something you might never have done before
- Everyone, aged eight and up, can be part of the experience
Things to consider
Some kids may experience motion sickness on the track.
Coffee and food options nearby
There are snacks available at Shell V-Power Motorsport Park or you can lunch later at the local OTR. Another good option close by is the Tailem Bend Bakery.
Location:
For more information and all enquiries, please visit the Shell V-Power Motorsport Park website.
All photos by James Elsby for Play & Go Adelaide.
At Play & Go Adelaide we make every effort to provide accurate information to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. We recommend confirming times, dates and details directly before making any plans as details may be subject to change.
As per all our Play & Go reviews, this is not a sponsored post and our review is done completely independently. All photos are by Play & Go (unless specified).
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