Capital Karts

Capital Karts is an indoor go karting track based in Canary Wharf, London.

Capital Karts track in Barking

Established in 2013 by co-founders Matthew Holyfield and Alastair Flynn in a derelict warehouse near Barking, the Capital Karts track was seeing over 500 visitors each weekend and had an annual turnover of £2m within 2 years.[1] Its former site in Barking was the largest indoor track in the UK at over 1,050 metres (3,440 ft) long[2] and had won multiple awards.

Track

The Capital Karts track on Rippleside in East London was 1,050m long and underwent refurbishment in 2016[3] to increase average track speed, improve overtaking opportunities, and further enhance the safety barrier system. The karts reached top speeds of 45 mph and a lap took approximately 70 seconds to complete. There were 20 corners and the track had an average width of 8 metres (26 ft).

A child died at the Barking site in August 2021 after her headscarf became caught in the kart she was driving. An inquest found that the kart "should not have been driven", and expressed concerns about the adequacy of checks on clothing performed by marshals.[4]

Karting Challenge

The Johnny Herbert Karting Challenge has been held at the Capital Karts track since 2013. More than 100 drivers compete in a 3-hour endurance race with charitable donations being raised by teams, and additional donations raised during the trackside sale of racing memorabilia. The event raised more than £10,000 in its first year.[5] In April 2014, bookmakers Ladbrokes filmed their betting advert at the Capital Karts track.[6]

The Karts

RiMO Alpha karts used at Capital Karts feature a 270cc Honda LPG tuned engine.[7] The same karts are used in karting tracks around Europe[8]

The karts are suitable for adults, children and disabled visitors, and there are karts that are equipped for use by two people.

Awards

Since its inception in 2013, Capital Karts has won a number of awards.

  • 2014 Barking and Dagenham New Business Of The Year[9]
  • 2015 East London New Business Of The Year[10]
  • 2015 Karting Magazine Indoor Track Of The Year[11]
  • 2015 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence[12]
  • 2016 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence[13]

References
  1. "Britain's largest indoor motor racing track gears up for £2m turnover". Bdaily Business News.
  2. "Capital Karts The UKs longest indoor go karting track London". www.ukschooltrips.co.uk. Archived from the original on 17 August 2016.
  3. "Capital Karts upgrades attracts Global interest - Karting Mag". www.kartingmagazine.com.
  4. Cox, Michael (1 November 2022). "Karting firm told to act after girl strangled to death by scarf at Barking track". East London Advertiser. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  5. "The Johnny Herbert Karting Challenge 2013 - Johnny Herbert". www.johnnyherbert.org.
  6. "Capital Karts". www.facebook.com.
  7. "Brand New Karts - Industry Leading Adult & Kids RiMO Go Karts".
  8. "50+ YEARS RiMO". RiMO GERMANY The First Address For Electric Go-Karts.
  9. "Barking and Dagenham Business Awards | 2013 Winners". Archived from the original on 19 July 2016. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  10. "Best Go Karting UK: Visit Our Multi-Award Winning Track". 19 July 2015.
  11. Capital Karts [@CapitalKarts] (11 January 2016). "We WON - Indoor Circuit of the Year 2015 - voted by the readers of @kartingmagazine - Visit" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  12. "Top award for London karting centre". 8 June 2015.
  13. "Capital Karts Wins Prestigious TripAdvisor Certificate Of Excellence For Second Year Running - openPR". www.openpr.com.

51°31′53.3″N 0°7′7.57″E

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