Thrills and Adventure on Qatar’s Go Kart Circuits

Go-karting is one of the most popular motorsports on the planet, and it's easy to see why. 

Karting is an exhilarating sport; the adrenalin buzz you get tanking around a track as fast as possible, navigating corners, and competing with other drivers for pole position is immense. Plus, you get an incredible sense of freedom with speed and a considerable feeling of achievement as you pit yourself against the track's tricky turns and win (or at least improve your skills). It's fast, furious and fun!

However, there's much more to the experience than the thrill. Go-karts are smaller, light and simplified versions of sports cars that, using modern technology, can be modelled and controlled (speed) for different ages and abilities. They are simple to use - press the gas to go, brake to stop and steer - and the skills required are relatively easy to hone - when to accelerate, brake and turn to maintain optimum speed. As a result, it is a leisure sport suitable for almost anyone, young or old, making it a fantastic family-friendly activity. It's also an extremely social sport that offers a good degree of friendly competition, perfect for individuals and groups, and brilliant for bonding and team building. In addition, karting has a host of physical and mental health benefits - it's a physical activity that burns calories and builds strength and stamina, it helps to improve reflexes and reaction time, and the thrill and building of skills helps to boost confidence and the happy chemicals in our brains, improving mood and helping us to sleep better!

Most importantly, go-karting is safe. Karts are designed with built-in safety features, such as seatbelts, roll bars and 360-degree impact protection systems. Drivers are required to wear suitable safety gear (provided by the karting operators). And modern karts can be controlled via a central console, allowing operators to manage individual kart speeds (suitable for specific ages and abilities) and cut power to cars for safety reasons.

So, if you have yet to try this versatile or dynamic sport or are keen to get back behind the wheel, where can you find Qatar's racetracks?

Go-Karting Tracks in Qatar

The following indoor and outdoor tracks accommodate go-karting pros and novices up and down the country…

Lusail Karting

Image: Qatar Living

For a genuine racing experience on an outdoor international motor racing track, Lusail Karting is an adventure worth travelling for. Located 30 minutes north of Doha at Losail International Circuit, Qatar’s only motor racing venue and host of the annual Qatar Formula One Grand Prix and Qatar MotoGP, Lusail Karting offers amateur racers a taste of the action. 

On a purpose-built 1 km track, nestled in a bend of the official 5.4 km motor racing circuit and overlooked by the grandstand, racers can soak up the atmosphere during an evening's races as they go hell for leather round the course. On the 8 m wide road, with up to 14 other opponents, speed demons can compete against one another for the best lap times across their session, test out their skills on a double hairpin bend, and practice overtaking strategies to win the contest. Younger ones (8-12 years) can also join the fun on a separate track, honing their skills until they can join the big kids!

The Details

The karting track and the karts are all relatively new and sized for adults and kids. Adult karts (13+ years) have a minimum height restriction of 153 cm. Helmets (included in the overall session cost) are sanitised via a specialised sanitising unit after each use.

Karting at the circuit is operated by Lusail Circuit Sports Club; for contact details, check the information below.

Sessions are generally booked online via the Sports Club website. You can join the public karting sessions or, if you have your own kart, the owner’s karting sessions - there are a multitude of each session type throughout the evening.

Location: Lusail Go Karting Circuit Al Khor Coastal Road, Al Wusail, Lusail

Parking: Public parking for Lusail Circuit Sports Club is available adjacent to the Losail International Circuit

Hours: Thursday and Friday: 5 pm - 10 pm

(Go Kart race days and timings vary month to month, check online for updated schedules)

Costs: Public karting: QAR 125 per 12 minute session

Kart Owners: QAR 75 per hour (x4 15 minute sessions)

Qatari Kart Owners: QAR 25 per hour (x4 15 minute sessions)

Contact: +974 4472 9151

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.lcsc.qa/karting

Instagram: @lusailcircuit

Facebook: @lusailcircuitsportsclub

Additional Info: All drivers must arrive 30 minutes prior to their scheduled session(s).

All drivers must present their ID/passport on arrival.

Debit and credit cards only accepted for payment.

Sensible footwear and clothing must be worn; no abayas, thobes, sandals, open-toe shoes or high heels.

Desert Street Circuit Go Karting - Desert Falls

Image: Desert Falls Water & Adventure Park/Facebook

The Desert Street Circuit go-karting track is part of the Desert Falls Water and Adventure Park in Abu Samra on Qatar's southwest coast. The park, as the name suggests, is predominantly a water park but also includes a host of other adventures, such as laser tag, canyoning, diving and go-karting. 

The 450 m karting track is another outdoor circuit for racers to hurtle around in a bid to attain the fastest lap time. However, in keeping with the Desert Falls theme park concept, this track is based on a desert city rather than the petrol-head-style circuit of Lusail Karting. Instead of international raceways and grandstands, racers will speed past Arabian-style houses, shops, and a mosque set alongside rocky cliffs and drive under a sculpture of two crossed scimitars.

The Details

The karting track and the karts are all relatively new, sized for adults, with a minimum height restriction of 150 cm. Helmets and overalls are included in the session costs.

The karting centre is based on walk-in registration, meaning that would-be Lewis Hamilton’s can turn up at any time during opening hours without the need for pre-booking.

Location: Desert Falls Water & Adventure Park Salwa Road - Exit 86, Abu Samra

Parking: Outdoor parking is provided for customers visiting the Desert Falls Water & Adventure Park

Hours: Sunday to Saturday, 1 pm - 9 pm

Costs: QAR 75 per 10 minute session

Contact: +974 4423 6416

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://salwabeachresort.qa/en/desert-falls-water-adventure-park/

Instagram: @desertfallsqatar

Facebook: @desertfallsqa

Go Kart Gondolania

Image: Qatar Karting Community

Go Kart Gondolania is an indoor 350 m race track located in Villaggio Mall's entertainment centre, Gondolania. The no-frills track includes sweeping turns, hairpin bends, a 90-degree turn and an s-section, giving everyone, pros to novices, a chance to practise and hone their skills. The rubberised floor allows good traction for manoeuvring into turns, and the 200 cc karts allow speedy acceleration out of bends and on the straights - meaning racers can go hell for leather competing for the fastest lap time, which is displayed on a screen over the finish line and in the waiting area.

The Details

The karting centre is based on ‘arrive and drive’ registration, meaning racers can fuel their need for speed at any time without pre-booking.

Location: Go Kart Gondolania Villaggio Mall, Al Waab, Doha

Nearest Metro: Sport City Metro Station on the Gold Line

Hours: Saturday to Wednesday, 10 am - 10 pm

Thursday, 10 am - 11 pm

Friday, 1 pm - 11 pm

Costs: QAR 70 per 10 minute session

Contact: +974 4403 9800

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.gondolania.com/index.php/go-kart/

Instagram: @gondolania

Facebook: @Gondolania

Additional Info: Go Kart Gondolania is part of the Gondolania theme park, which also houses an amusement park with a roller coaster, sky rail, Ferris wheel, drop tower, kiddie rides, arcade games, and video and VR games. The park also offers a soft play zone, trampolines, a bowling alley, 4D theatre, glow-in-the-dark mini golf and an ice rink.

Trocadero Go Karting - Place Vendome Qatar

Image: 360 Karting

Go-karting at the Place Vendome Mall in Lusail is in the heart of the shopping centre's entertainment zone, the Trocadero. The indoor karting venue, surrounded by other attractions, has been cleverly designed (by 360 Karting) to save space and is built over two levels. The continuous 220 m course has a lower level track of 85 m and an upper level of 135 m, with sloping sections and ramps adding a new dimension of fun and skill for racers.

The indoor race course is set in a themed arena, which takes drivers on a journey through a cityscape and out into the countryside. The track is lit by neon lighting marking the edges of the course, giving the circuit a modern look and an almost nighttime feel - perfect for honing yet another driving skill. 

As one of the newest karting tracks in Qatar, Trocadero Go-Karting has brand new 200cc Biz electric karts - nippy, quiet and smooth. Plus, twelve riders can race the course at any one time, meaning there is plenty of scope for some competition on the course.

The Details

Trocadero go-karting requires no pre-reservations, meaning drivers can turn up at any time to challenge their fellow racers to eat dust.

Location: Place Vendôme Mall Trocadero Entertainment Centre, Place Vendome Qatar, Lusail

Nearest Metro: Legtaifiya Metro Station on the Red Line - take the Lusail tram from Legtaifiya to Lusail Central on the Orange Line to arrive at the mall

Hours: Saturday to Wednesday, 10 am - 10 pm 

Thursday, 10 am - 12 am

Friday, 2 pm - 12 am

Costs: QAR 75 per 8 minute session

Contact: +974 4144 0000

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.placevendomeqatar.com/en

Instagram: @placevendomeqatar

Facebook: @PlaceVendomeQa

Additional Info: Trocadero Go-Karting is part of the Trocadero Entertainment Centre, which also houses numerous rides, such as a roller coaster, a drop tower, a monorail, bumper boats and cars, a swing carousel and trampolines, and leisure activities, including, six-lane bowling and laser tag. The venue also offers a myriad of arcade and video games.

Angry Birds Go! Karting Track

Image: Maraya Tours

Angry Birds Go! karting track is the world's first indoor and outdoor go-kart racing course; it is also one of only two multi-level tracks in Qatar. Located in Doha Festival City Mall's Angry Birds theme park, the track is designed to emulate the famous Angry Birds video game with a racing circuit. To that end, the track even operates rumble strips across the course that can boost drivers' speed or slow them down…exactly like the game!

Eleven electric karts can race around the circuit, up, down, in and out, offering a thrilling adventure ride over 260 m long. And, while go-karters who love to compete and race to beat their and their opponent's lap times may find the rumble strips and speed variations a little stalling, the ride offers a tremendous amount of family-friendly fun.  

The Details

Angry Birds Go! Karts can be operated by children above seven years and those over 140 cm. Helmets are provided as standard.

Location: Go Kart Track at Angry Birds World Doha Festival City, Al Shamal Road, Al Ebb, Doha

Parking: Indoor and outdoor parking is provided for customers visiting Doha Festival City

Hours: Saturday to Wednesday, 10 am - 10 pm

Thursday, 10 am - 12 am

Friday, 1 pm - 12 am

Costs: Entrance to the park requires a Playing Card, which is bought with an initial credit included in the price and can be topped up as desired. Credit is used to access each ride, with prices per ride ranging from QAR 15 - 90. The following Playing Cards can be purchased:

• Adult (above 16 years), QAR 50
• Child (below 16 years), QAR 150
• Family Pass (up to 4 visitors), QAR 350

Contact: +974 4042 0444

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.angrybirdsworld.qa/pf/angrybirds-go/

Instagram: @angrybirdsworld.qatar

Facebook: @AngryBirdsWorldQatar

Additional Info: Angry Birds Go! Karting is part of the Angry Birds theme park, which offers over 20 rides and attractions, both indoors and outdoors, including a slingshot, laser tag, a trampoline park, a spinning drop tower, roller coasters, bumper cars, soft play areas, arcade and video games, climbing walls, sky trails and a big tree full of creative, musical and scientific activities.

Baladna Park Karting

Image: NewinDoha

Baladna Park Karting sits just inside the grounds of Baladna Park, a family adventure park and farm (sheep and cows). The small race track is a relatively new addition to the park. It adds an extra element of excitement to the venue's array of adventure activities, which include an extreme sports zone and a Ninja Warriors zone.

The outdoor, floodlit track, home to ten electric karts and with a couple of s-sections and 90-degree bends, is a great place to give karting a whirl and get a taste for speed and the racing adrenaline rush.

The Details

Safety helmets are provided as standard at the venue, and karts are sized for adults, with a minimum height restriction of 141 cm, and kids, with a height requirement of 105-140 cm.

Location: Baladna Park North Road - Exit 44, Umm Al Hawaya, Al Khor

Parking: Outdoor parking is provided for customers visiting Baladna Park

Hours: Saturday to Thursday, 10 am - 10 pm

Friday, 12:30 pm - 10 pm

Costs: Adults: QAR 60 per seven laps

Kids: QAR 40 per seven laps

Contact: +974 4424 6000 / 5049 3000

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://baladnapark.com/index.html

Instagram: @baladnapark

Facebook: @BaladnaPark

Additional Info: Baladna Park closes every year for the summer season, from May to September.

To enter the park, visitors must pay a General Admission fee (adults (13+) QAR 35 / children (3-12) QAR 55). Karting is extra.

The Park offers access to an animal zone, reptile cove, kid’s adventure land and play area, a jumping castle and foot billiards - all included in the price of General Admission. All other activities, such as bicycle tours, pedal racing, archery, bumper cars and bungee trampolines, are accessed for a fee.

If you love karting and want to race regularly against like-minded racers, consider joining the Qatar Karting Community. The community racing group meet regularly at various of the above tracks and welcomes new members with open arms. So, if you want to race, improve your skills and connect with other drivers, register with them (for free) via their website (www.qatarkartingcommunity.com), or for more information, check out their Instagram (@qatar_karting) and Facebook (@qatarkarting) pages.

Main image: Qatar Karting Community/Facebook