About Karting North East
Karting North East is an outdoor kart circuit at the Warden Law Motorsports Centre, off Hangman's Lane on the southern edge of Sunderland, a few minutes from the A19. The main track is 1,200 metres long and has been in use since the 1990s. There is also a smaller junior training circuit on site.
Hire karting starts at age 8 on 160cc junior karts, with 390cc karts for drivers aged 14 and over. Up to 35 karts can race at once, so it takes large groups for Grand Prix and Endurance races (16+), stag and hen parties and birthdays. Family sessions are also offered, and a twin-seat kart takes passengers from age 5.
The circuit is also a Motorsport UK club venue. Warden Law Kart Club races here, national championships visit, and there is owner-driver testing on Wednesday afternoons and most Sunday mornings for classes from Bambino to KZ2 gearbox karts.
Top speed of 60mph is the operator's published figure, not an independent measurement.
Racing your own kart
Gearbox (KZ2/KZUK) testing requires a Motorsport UK licence and the Junior class needs at least a Kart National licence; all drivers must meet Motorsport UK age and weight rules for their class. Under-17s need an adult to sign them in and pay.
The karts
- Sodi SR5
- Sodi LR5
Sessions and prices
Set by the track. You book direct — we don't add a fee.
Ask Karting North East a question
Minimum ages, group sizes, party packages, whether a date is free — ask here and Karting North East replies to you by email. Free, and no booking fee from us.
What you can book
Opening hours
Planning your visit
Questions about Karting North East
What are the age and height requirements to drive a hire kart?
Junior karts need drivers to be at least 8 and 130cm tall. Adult karts start at 14, and the Grand Prix and Endurance races are for drivers aged 16 and over. Children from 5 can ride as a passenger in the twin-seat kart with an adult driving.
Does a first-time junior driver need to do anything first?
Yes. First-time drivers aged 8 to 11 do a Junior Induction Session (£30, 15 minutes on track) before they can join a family session.
What should I wear for a karting session?
Wear flat, closed-toe shoes. Sandals, heels and Crocs are not allowed. Race suits, helmets, gloves and balaclavas are provided. You can use your own kit if it meets the circuit's safety standards, such as a full-face helmet and one-piece overalls.
What happens if the weather turns bad?
Karting goes ahead in the rain and you get a waterproof oversuit. Bring a change of clothes in case you get wet anyway.
Do I need to book ahead?
Hire-kart sessions must be booked and paid for before the day. Owner-driver testing is different: there is no booking, and you pay and sign on at reception.
Can friends and family watch?
Yes, spectating is free. Children must be supervised at all times. At race meetings, dogs must be kept on a lead.
What if I turn up late?
If the safety briefing has already started when you arrive, you cannot join that session and you will not get a refund.
Is there a minimum group size?
Standard sessions have no minimum. Booking an exclusive 30-minute family session needs at least 10 drivers.
How long does a session last?
Family sessions last 15 or 30 minutes and the junior induction includes 15 minutes on track. The Grand Prix is a 15-minute practice then a 30-minute race. The Endurance format has the same practice then a 45-minute race.
Do I need a licence?
No licence is needed for hire karting, and everyone gets a safety briefing first. For owner-driver testing, gearbox drivers need a Motorsport UK licence, Junior-class drivers need at least a Kart National licence, and every driver must meet Motorsport UK rules for their class.
Can I bring my own kart?
Yes, at owner-driver testing on Wednesdays from 3pm to 8pm and on Sundays from 9am to 2pm, except the first Sunday of the month and race weekends. A session costs £50 for Warden Law Kart Club members or £75 for non-members. Membership is £75 a year.
Getting to Karting North East
Sunderland, Sunderland, SR3 2PR
Show phone number
Where this information came from
- circuits.lengthMetres, karts.note (390cc/160cc), capacity, events, facilities (junior circuit), description — https://wardenlawmotorsports.com/karting-north-east/ (Operator's own site)
- ownerDriver, pricing (testing, private hire), openingHours — https://wardenlawmotorsports.com/owner-driver-testing-at-warden-law/ (Operator's own site)
- ownerDriver.classes, ownerDriver.licenceRequired, openingHours — https://wardenlawmotorsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Owner-Driver-Open-Testing-Code-of-Conduct-v1-2026.pdf (Operator's own site)
- ownerDriver.pitBays, facilities — https://wardenlawmotorsports.com/paddock-bookings/ (Operator's own site)
- ownerDriver.affiliations, description (championships) — https://wardenlawmotorsports.com/2026-racing-calendar/ (Operator's own site)
- ownerDriver.clubName, ownerDriver.affiliations — https://wardenlawmotorsports.com/warden-law-kart-club/ (Operator's own site)
- contact.phone, location (address, postcode) — https://wardenlawmotorsports.com/useful-info/ (Operator's own site)
- contact.phone, facilities (toilets, showers) — https://wardenlawmotorsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Your-visit-to-Warden-Law-handout-V2.pdf (Operator's own site)
- facilities (café, parking), faqs (spectators) — https://wardenlawmotorsports.com/spectators/ (Operator's own site)
- location.lat, location.lng, location.county, location.region — https://api.postcodes.io/postcodes/SR32PR (postcodes.io lookup)
- karts (models, fuel, top speed), circuits (minHeightCm, corners, floodlit), eligibility, pricing (junior induction, session formats), weatherPolicy, faqs — https://kartingnortheast.com/faqs/ (Operator's own site — checked 2026-08-04; could not be re-fetched on 2026-09-30, needs operator confirmation)
- pricing (junior induction price, session formats) — https://kartingnortheast.com/shop/ (Operator's own site — checked 2026-08-04; could not be re-fetched on 2026-09-30, needs operator confirmation)