New driver
Hi guys, Just wondered what the deal is with Llandow Karting track and someone who has their own kart? I.e., I wondered if I would be able to hire the track when no one else is using it? If so, any ideas how much it would cost me? I wouldn't mind if there were other people also on the track at the same time. Can anyone shed some light on how hiring the track works please? Cheers! Chris

Chris, Go to: http://southwaleskartingcentre.co.uk/ website and click on the Owner-Drivers link. It will give you the hire prices for full and half day. If you want to hire the track exclusively you'll have to ring the track to find-out the prices. What you get for that money is unlimited access to the track for the day, although given that there will be other owner drivers attending you might be bunched in classes so you'll be running sessions of 10-15 mins rotating. Llandow is a very good venue for Owner-Drivers given that unlike most other tracks in the UK it has no 2T restriction and therefore it can run pretty much 364 days of the year. I have personally been on the track on my own many times, Mondays in particular! Imagine running until you run out of petrol! Anyway, don't just head out for the track thinking it's all that simple, make sure you check with the track for any pre-booked events which might spoil your trip. Have fun. Dan

Hi Dan, Thanks loads for that information, it was exactly what I was looking for!! I used to own a kart about 7 or 8 years ago, though at the time I didn't have a car to transport it around, hence I never used the Llandow track at the time, even though I lived reasonably close to it. I've been looking into getting a kart again, since I now have a car I can use to take it there. Knowing that I actually WILL be able to hire the track (along with other users!) means that since I definitely have somewhere I can use the kart, I will make some enquiries as to buying one. £45 for a full days use of the track, and £30 for a half day certainly seems cheap enough. Because I work funny shifts, it means I get a fair few week days off, so with any luck I will be able to use the track on most of the occasions I want to!! Anyway, thanks again for such a prompt and helpful reply, it really is appreciated!! Cheers, Chris p.s. What is a 2t restriction?

2T is a short way of saying 2 Stroke. Most tracks in the country have noise restrictions on 2T engines and can only use the track on certain days of the week or even month. Llandow is very fortunate in not having such an imposition. If you work funny shifts is in your favour with regards to track time as Saturdays and Sundays can get full and you don't always get good value for money. Attending on a mid-week means there's hardly anyone there so you get plenty of tracktime. This weekend is a race weekend at Llandow, why don't you pay a visit on Sunday and see what the track and the club has to offer, talk to the racers (we all started where you are) and to the track officials, and sample the racing (and Henry's commentary). A lot of people move classes at the end of the season and sell off their old kit so might be a good opportunity to pick-up a bargain. Have fun.

Thanks Dan, I wasn't able to get there for Sundays racing (and commentary!) but I will visit shortly. Have to sort out a kart first! Still trying to find somewhere to store it (I'm pretty sure the big yellow self storage company won't want it in their place, and I don't have anywhere else big enough because I live at the top floor of an apartment in town!)

Don't forget you also need to transport it to and from the track! And transport needs storing too! If you want to learn what is involved in a race weekend you're welcome to come with me this weekend coming. I'm racing at Dunkeswell so it would mean an early morning rise but you'll get to experience the full caboodle of setting-up, racing program and then packing-up and return! I need a hand, you need to learn, what do you say? Dan

That is an absolutely fantastic offer and I would have loved to have taken you up on that!! Unfortunately, due to the shifts I'm working, its not going to be possible (the pub trade demands annoying hours, unfortunately). However, if such an event happens again soon, I'd really appreciate being able to take up a similar offer! I've no problem with getting my hands dirty, sounds like I could learn a lot in one go! Cheers Dan, let me know if the same opportunity arises again :-)