‘Gentlemen, start your engines!’ No four words are more likely to send adrenaline levels soaring among motor racing enthusiasts and while the closest many will ever get to a Formula One race is watching coverage on TV everyone can get a taste of the thrill of the sport in a go-kart
By Evros Stylianou
If your idea of leisure involves days spent lazing on the beach and the sound of waves lapping the shore then this is definitely not for you. If however you much prefer the sound of engines revving and the smell of petrol look no further. Go-Karting is the cheapest motorsport around and a perfect introduction to the thrill of racing. It couldn’t be cheaper and easier for beginners to get involved as no equipment of any sort is needed and you will receive basic training and safety instructions on site. With practice and the advice of the staff at the tracks, you’ll start thinking in terms of apexes and racing lines in no time. Alternatively if you’d much rather take your machine out into the great outdoors, then a team quad biking excursion through the hills of Larnaca may be your cup of tea…
NICOSIA
Daytona Raceway
Founded in 2006 Daytona Raceway has quickly established itself as one of the best Karting centers on the island. With a 1.2 Km track that can be arranged in three different configurations, computerised lap timing and excellent facilities it’s the perfect day out for the family. The circuit is probably one of the more challenging ones on the island with a long main straight and many sweeping bends of varying gradients, but help is always on hand from the friendly and professional staff. Championship events are usually held here as well as interesting one-offs like the first Mini challenge (held this past December) where Mini owners were encouraged to enter their vehicles and test them under track conditions.
Prices:
Junior/Cadet Kart 15 mins= €13Twin Engine Kart 15 mins= €18
Events:Daytona Sprint: Practice session followed by two 6 lap qualifying heats and a 15 lap grand final. Min drivers: 8 Max drivers: 12. Event duration: 45mins Price €34/38/45 (depending on track configuration)
Daytona Grand Prix: Practice session followed by three 6 lap qualifying heats and a 15 lap grand final. Min drivers: 8 Max drivers: 12. Event duration: 70mins Price €41/45/53 (depending on track configuration)
Daytona Le Mans: Drivers are allocated into teams of 4-5 persons (10 teams max). Following a practice session, each team nominates 1 driver to qualify. The team with the quickest lap secures pole position. A race of 60 minutes duration follows with all teams making strategic driver changes throughout the race. The team which completes the most laps after 60minutes is declared the winner. Price: €74 per hour.
Tseri exit, Nicosia-Limassol Highway, 22 461220. Email: info@daytonaraceway.com.cy
Formula Karting Center
Formula Karting Center is located just 5 minutes from Nicosia and boasts an impressive circuit of varying gradients and a number of tight hairpins and chicanes. It features four straights which vary in length from 90 to 145 meters for those daring overtaking manoeuvres .Currently closed for refurbishments, Formula Karting is due to be reopened with a new look in the next two months
Prices: Ring for details
Kokkinotrimithia Road , Palaiometocho, Nicosia, 99609603. Email: psimolophitis@cytanet.com.cy
LARNACA
Dromolaxia Karting Centre
Along with Daytona Raceway, Dromolaxia is the only other track authorised to host Championship events on the island. The track features a number of long fast bends for sheer white knuckle racing and two pairs of hairpins for more technical manoeuvring. Constructed to international standards it is an excellent all-round track for newbies as well as seasoned racers.
Prices: 160cc: 5 minutes = €5, 10 minutes = €9, 15 minutes = €12, 20 minutes = €15, 30 minutes = €22200cc: 5 minutes = €7, 10 minutes = €11, 15 minutes = €14, 20 minutes = €18, 30 minutes = €24270cc: 5 minutes = €11, 10 minutes = €14, 15 minutes = €18, 20 minutes = €21, 30 minutes = €28
The Need 4 Speed Go Karting
Although smaller in size than the other tracks Need 4 Speed utilizes the available space brilliantly with tricky corners, a chicane and a couple of long fast bends. Overall top speeds are lower on this track, which makes it safer and perfect for beginners just getting to grips with racing.
Prices: 5 minutes = €8, 10 minutes = €12, 15 minutes = €17, 20 minutes = €20, 30 minutes = €28
Erimi Village, 99 462269. Email need4speed@cytanet.com.cy
PAPHOS
Paphos Karting Centre
Paphos Karting Centre is famous for being the only track on the island to feature a bridge and tunnel. The circuit is comprised of long flowing corners and straights and challenging up and downhill sections that make for an adrenaline filled race. Add this to excellent facilities with lots of activities for non racers and you have an excellent day out for everyone.
Prices: €12-€26 depending on duration.
40 Konstantinou Palaiologou Riverside Block 2, 8201, Geroskipou, 80000807.
Email: info@paphoskartingcentre.com
Coral Bay Karting Center
Prices: 6 minutes = €10, 15m = €14, 30 minutes = €25
Coral Bay Road, Paphos, 70001314. Email: coralbaykarting@cytanet.com.cy
AGIA NAPA
EMW Go Carts
EMW Provides a professional circuit to race on, friendly staff, good facilities and is located only a stone’s throw away from the Agia Napa Waterworld. There are a selection of top quality Go-Karts for beginners and experts alike, giving the best performance and a safe ride. Prices 6 minutes = €12, 10 minutes = €16,
Macronissos Beach on Ayia Thekla Road, next to Waterworld Waterpark, 23 723111.
The advice we received from all the various experts we asked was pretty much the same. Any loss of traction equals a slower overall lap time so refrain from skidding your karts around corners and breaking too hard. Do your breaking before the corner and position yourself so you can turn in and accelerate out smoothly. Do not use the accelerator and the brake at the same time.
Safety Advice:
Even though Go-Karting can provide great fun for people of all ages, it is still a motorsport with dangers. Always wear your helmet when on the track and follow the instructions given to you in the pre-race brief. Never speed in the pit lane. Never exit your vehicle during a race, if you spin off and can’t get back onto the track raise your hand and wait for the marshals to assist you. Always take a couple of laps to get a feel for your kart and the general speed of the circuit.
Quad bike safari was formed in 2004 and has since won many people over as one of the islands best alternative tourist attractions. The safari has proven to be very popular with the holidaymakers and local businesses alike. The quad bikes used for the safari are E-Ton Viper 150cc automatic ATVs, which are good all-rounders, powerful enough for most riders but also manoeuvrable and extremely safe for beginners. Riders begin with an induction on flat tarmac roads in order to build confidence and are then introduced to more tricky terrain. The group is then led off into the hills around Oroklini, Pyla and Troulli village to cover over 30km of mixed terrain taking in the stunning views the Larnaca countryside has to offer. Quad Bike Safari are available for up to 15 persons, part day or whole day adventure safaris can also be arranged for company day outs, team building events, stag or hen parties, birthday parties etc.