Daytona Sandown Park sits inside the grounds of Sandown Park Racecourse in Esher, Surrey, and is described by the operator as Greater London's largest outdoor go karting circuit. Daytona is Motorsport UK recognised and has been developing karting talent for over 35 years, running two further UK circuits at Milton Keynes and Tamworth. The Sandown Park site combines a full international Grand Prix circuit with dedicated junior and Bambino tracks, a spectator deck, and a conferencing suite, positioning it as much for corporate hospitality and structured driver progression as for a one-off arrive-and-drive visit.

The main circuit is 900 metres, championship-grade, and configurable, with eight corners and two high-speed straights. It is built for adults and experienced juniors rather than complete beginners, and sits at the top of Daytona's own progression path — the operator's FAQ recommends that anyone new to karting start on a practice session before attempting a competitive race format here.

A separate pair of 450-metre circuits — Club and Indy — serve Bambino racers aged 6 to 7 and Juniors aged 8 and up. These host junior practice sessions and birthday parties, keeping younger and less experienced drivers off the main Grand Prix circuit until they are ready to progress to it.

Five kart types cover the full age range. The DMAX is the fastest, at 70mph with 23HP and a Rotax 125cc engine, reserved for experienced racers aged 16 and up. The SODIKART SR5, suitable for all abilities from age 14, reaches 50mph on a Honda GX270 four-stroke engine. Junior Evo3 karts (ages 12-15) and Cadet Evo3 karts (ages 8-11) both reach 45mph on Honda engines with self-adjusting hydraulic brakes. The Bambino kart, for ages 6 to 7, is capped at 20mph with cable-operated brakes, built specifically for a first introduction to the sport rather than competitive speed.

Requirements step up through four tiers rather than a single threshold. Bambino drivers must be at least 6 years old and 107cm tall. Cadets and Juniors must be at least 8 years old and 125cm tall. Driving a SODI kart requires a minimum age of 14 and a height of 142cm. Driving a DMAX kart requires a minimum age of 16, the same 142cm height, and sufficient karting experience — Daytona recommends at least one practice session in a four-stroke kart first. Exceptionally, experienced 12 to 13 year olds can undertake an assessment to drive SODI karts, and experienced 14 to 15 year olds can be assessed for DMAX. Children must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult at all times.

For anyone who has never karted before, Daytona recommends a Practice session — 20 minutes of non-competitive track time — in a SODI or four-stroke kart rather than jumping straight into a DMAX or a competitive race format. For children aged 8 to 13, a Junior Practice session is the recommended starting point, with Race School available for young people wanting to progress toward competitive racing on the adult circuit. DMAX karts specifically require prior experience at a Daytona track in at least one four-stroke session first.

Beyond arrive-and-drive practice, Sandown Park runs Sprint Races with qualifying and podium presentations, D40 endurance-style races, and Unlimited Racing packages offering three 20-minute sessions for value-focused socialising. A Junior Tuition Programme gives groups of four young drivers two hours of expert coaching, and Cadet and Junior Race Schools run full-day programmes during school holidays with lunch included and certification earned on completion. Daytona also runs structured championships — including the Jamie Chadwick Series for female drivers and various league formats — for members wanting a full competitive season rather than one-off visits.

Every Daytona venue has an on-site restaurant serving hot food suitable for large parties, alongside barista coffee, cold drinks, snacks and slushies. This is a network-wide policy worth noting clearly: Daytona does not have a bar and does not permit alcohol to be consumed on site anywhere in its network, which sets it apart from several other karting operators in this batch that build a licensed bar into the visit.

Race suits, gloves, a helmet and a wet suit if needed are all provided. Trainers or similar closed-toe shoes are recommended, and new shoes are best avoided since the track can leave them muddy in wet weather. Hoodies, scarves and any loose headwear are not permitted for safety reasons, and a balaclava is required if borrowing a helmet, available to buy at reception. All sessions must be booked in advance online or by phone during sales office hours — Daytona does not accept walk-in drivers under any circumstance, and does not run owner-driver events unless the whole circuit is hired exclusively.

Free, large car parks are provided at the circuit, though Daytona is not responsible for vehicles left in them. By car from the M25, leave at Junction 10, take the A3 northbound for about five miles, then the A244 exit signed for Esher and Sandown Park, following signs through Esher town centre into More Lane; the entrance is on the right inside the Sandown Park complex, just past the Golf Centre. Esher railway station is the nearest stop, around a five-minute taxi ride or a 25 to 30 minute walk. The sales office for phone bookings and enquiries is open 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 5pm on Saturday.