Go Kart 10

In Balıkesir, in the central district of Altıeylül, Go Kart 10 offers an open-air track open to all, with no licence or experience. The outdoor layout is driven in the open air once the warm weather arrives, and people gather as a family or with friends to string together timed laps. The number in the name refers to the province's dialling code, a local way of setting the scene. A briefing and the safety gear come before every run.

Karting here is about the fun of racing and friendly rivalry: everyone tries to set the best time, and groups happily organise short heats to sort out the drivers. The short format suits beginners trying it out as much as regulars working on their lines. 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.

Balıkesir is a trading city in north-western Anatolia, known for its big weekly market and its specialities, from cheese to cured meats famous across the country. The clock tower and the Zağnos Pasha mosque mark the centre, while the surrounding plain, given over to livestock and farming, rolls out broad landscapes. The region opens onto both the Sea of Marmara and the Aegean, with its seaside resorts less than two hours away. The city is well linked by motorway and rail to İzmir, Bursa and Istanbul, which makes it a handy stop at the heart of the region.