Daytona Sandown Park

From Wood Lane to the Racecourse

Daytona Motorsport was founded in December 1990 with a small indoor karting circuit on Wood Lane in west London, directly opposite BBC Television Centre. The venue quickly attracted corporate clients and celebrities — Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt and Sandra Bullock all raced there during the mid-1990s. A second circuit opened in 1992, and the two merged to create the GP Circuit that established Daytona as the leading name in UK hire karting.

The Sandown Park venue was built in the late 1990s on a section of tarmac within the grounds of Sandown Park Racecourse, one of British horse racing's most prestigious courses. Daytona acquired the circuit in 2001 and expanded it into the three-track facility that exists today. The company changed hands twice — purchased by Brands Hatch Leisure Group in 1998 and bought back by the original management team in 2003 — but Sandown Park has remained its flagship outdoor venue throughout.

What to Expect on Track

The GP Circuit is the main attraction: 900 metres of smooth tarmac with eight corners, multiple straights and genuine overtaking points. Adults aged 14 and over drive Sodi SR5 four-stroke karts, while those aged 16 and over can step up to the DMAX two-stroke machines — 125cc Birel karts that reach 70 mph and are the fastest hire karts on any public circuit in the country. Practice sessions last 20 minutes and include a safety briefing, with lap times recorded electronically.

For younger drivers, the 450-metre Indy Circuit caters to cadets aged 8 to 11 and juniors aged 12 to 15, while the 400-metre Club Circuit is reserved for bambinos aged six and seven. Each age group uses appropriately sized and powered karts. Beyond open practice, the venue runs sprint races, the annual InKart Championship for juniors, and the DMAX Championship series that attracts over 300 competitors per season.

Planning Your Visit

Daytona Sandown Park is one of the most accessible motorsport venues in the South East, sitting inside the M25 and just 30 minutes by train from London Waterloo. Esher station is a 10-minute walk from the circuit entrance, and by car the A3 and M25 Junction 10 provide direct access with free parking on site. Sessions run throughout the week but the busiest times are weekends and school holidays, so midweek mornings offer the quietest track conditions.

All equipment — kart, helmet and race suit — is included in every session price. Drivers should wear flat-soled shoes and long trousers, as open-toed footwear and shorts are not permitted on the circuit. The venue has a cafe serving hot food and drinks, plus covered spectator areas where friends and family can watch the action from the circuit edge.