Çayırova GoKart

In Çayırova, in the province of Kocaeli, between Gebze and the Gulf of İzmit, Çayırova GoKart lays out seven hundred and fifty metres of open-air track, enough for a genuine sporting layout on the doorstep of Istanbul. You drive petrol karts in the open air, on a course that leaves real chances to overtake and to build up speed. It is a venue the residents of this dense industrial area appreciate, after a little adrenaline close to home.

Karting stays open to all, with no licence or experience: a briefing, a helmet, and you head off to find your best lap. The length of the track suits beginners as much as confident drivers working on their lines, and groups happily set up short races to sort out the friends. As the activity takes place outdoors, it is best to check opening times and prices by season before coming. People rarely leave after a single run, the urge to shave off a few seconds soon taking over.

Çayırova is an industrial district of the province of Kocaeli, on the northern shore of the Gulf of İzmit, halfway between Istanbul and İzmit. The region, well linked by motorway and rail, is turned towards port and manufacturing activity, but also offers fine escapes: Lake Sapanca and the wooded heights of Kartepe, a ski resort in winter, are only half an hour away. Istanbul, with its monuments and its historic centre, is about an hour away by road. Its position, at the crossroads of the main routes, makes it a handy stop between the metropolis and Anatolia.