Silversandin karting rata

In Hanko, at the southern tip of Finland, the Silversand karting track is run by the Hangon Urheiluautoilijat club. It is an outdoor circuit, open in season, where you drive in the friendly atmosphere of a local association rather than a commercial centre. Fees, by the day or by the season, stay modest and differ for members and non-members, which keeps the track within reach of regulars and passing visitors alike.

The facilities stay simple, with toilets on site but no café: you come here above all to drive, in the self-reliant style of Finnish clubs. Booking is done online, and access is without a licence or previous experience. It is a good option to try karting or train during a stay on the south coast, for a few timed laps.

Hanko, or Hangö, is the southernmost town in Finland, a seaside resort known for its long sandy beaches, its early twentieth-century wooden villas and its marina. The peninsula, swept by Baltic winds, draws swimming and sailing enthusiasts in summer. The Silversand track fits into this summer setting and lets you add a dose of speed to a holiday by the sea. Hanko is reached by train or car from Helsinki in a little under two hours, which makes it a popular summer destination for people from the capital. Between a swim and a stroll along the coast, the track adds a sporting touch to a seaside stay with family or friends.