Karting - Bushy Park Barbados
The Karting Experience offers participants the chance to drive on a specially-designed 0.41-kilometre circuit in a Birel kart, powered by a 270cc four-stroke Honda engine, capable of up to around 50mph on the straights . . . although it will seem much faster for the driver, sitting just a few inches above the ground.
Bushy Park Barbados is the leading circuit-racing facility in the English-speaking Caribbean. Following three years of planning and consultation, work started in August 2013 on a comprehensive redevelopment of a venue which has hosted motor sport since it opened as a dirt track in the early 1970s.
A grant from world governing body, the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), supplemented by local funding, created the Master Plan on which the redevelopment was based; support from the Government of Barbados, the Barbados Motoring Federation (BMF), the FIA and a group of local investors turned that plan into a reality.
Phase one was completed in time for a worldwide launch at Top Gear Festival Barbados in May 2014. A second phase of development further enhanced the venue in time for Race Of Champions 2014 in December but this multi-purpose facility is about much more than staging world-class events. In addition to its 2.01-kilometre International Circuit, built to meet FIA Grade 3 requirements, there is a Rallycross Track, CIK Grade A Kart Circuit and a one-eighth-of-a-mile Drag Strip.
The developer and operator, Bushy Park Circuit Inc, has placed great emphasis on facilities for patrons: there is a new Clubhouse and VIP facility, ‘The Hill’ - the venue’s traditional spectator area - has been completely re-profiled and two blocks of washrooms have been completed.
Future phases of development will include the construction of a Country Club & Museum, along with a number of Luxury Car Suites, the first of which was completed in late 2014.