Ready, Set, Go: Team Sport Indoor Karting

Team Sport, the biggest go kart track company in Europe, opened their spectacular multi-level 750m track in Nottingham in December 2015.  Since then, thrill seekers from the across the city and beyond having been suiting up at their Netherfield base to try out life in the fast lane - some of the Experience Nottinghamshire team included. Here's how Elisia, Lydia and Jessie got on when they went for a spin.

Elisia

I couldn’t contain my excitement when we organised a trip to Team Sport Indoor Karting. As soon as I was suited up I was ready to release my inner Lewis Hamilton and could feel my competitive nature kicking in. We all sat together in a room and watched an informative safety and instructional brief that was much appreciated as a first time Go-Karter! The track looked daunting as I stepped into my allocated kart and I didn’t know what to expect but after a stop/start test we were unleashed onto the main track. The circuit surpassed my expectations with a varied range of corners, ascents, descents and a stretch where you could take your kart full throttle. It was a great team building exercise and we laughed so much together. The staff were exceptional and added to the positive atmosphere and overall experience. With memberships at such affordable prices it is a great attraction that I will certainly be revisiting and encouraging others to come too.

Lydia

Having never been Go Karting before (the nearest thing being the test track ride at Walt Disney World!) I jumped at the chance to come down and race on the track at Team Sport Karting. After being greeted by Team Sport’s incredibly friendly team when we arrived, we firstly had to sign in with our personal details - which allowed us to see our lap times on the monitor, and suit up with a racing suit (think The Stig!). We then sat down to watch a short briefing which gave us some information about the design of the track and after this we had a chance to ask any questions we had to the team while we were shown around the race track. After sorting out helmets, we were each given a number of the car we were driving and had a couple of minutes to test breaks before we could officially race the circuit!

Given the go ahead we set off on our first 15 minute session – I managed 13 laps before the last call with an average lap speed of 56 seconds, it was the first slower session after all! After a short break with the team and a chance to get some tips on speed and breaking on the corners, we went back for our second track session, and we got some great advice because changing how we were breaking on the tight corners, I managed to shorten my lap time by 8 seconds second time round! This is fast-speed go karting at its best; and great fun for any petrol head that fancies racing on a brilliant track. We’ll definitely be coming back again!

Jessie

Also a complete motorsports novice, I hoped that beginner's luck and a misspent youth playing scalextrics would stand me in good stead for my first attempt behind a go kart wheel. Very easy to find at just a short drive from the city centre, we were all instantly impressed by the state of the art facilities as we walked through the door of the building. I certainly felt like I looked the part as I stepped out in the full suit, gloves and crash helmet with a newly acquired swagger. We owed much of our confidence to the Team Sport staff who were all extremely friendly and helpful, making sure that we knew our red lights from our greens with a thorough introductory video and plenty of advice. It didn't take us long to familiarise ourselves with the pedals and layout of the circuit. We were soon tearing around the corners, overtaking each other and feeling pretty cool with the wind blowing through our tightly scraped back, balaclava-ed hair. With some tips from the team, we all managed to shave a few vital seconds off our lap time on our second round (hello victory!). Competitive types will be pleased to hear that Team Sport provide you with a detailed print out of your lap times, which you can take home and proudly frame above your fireplace. I'm sure it won't be long until I've filled my walls at home.

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You can find out more about TeamSport Nottingham and how to book on our website. Visit www.team-sport.co.uk and follow TeamSport Karting on Facebook and Twitter to hear their latest news.