Hyper Karting drives Sydney families wild for outdoor entertainment amid lockdown

Families in Sydney’s east are buckling up in premium go-karts and battling it out on the racetrack to enjoy a unique form of endurance exercise.

Tika and Jess MacMaster at Hyper Karting in Moore Park. Picture: Richard Dobson

Families in Sydney’s east are buckling up in premium go-karts and battling it out on the racetrack to enjoy a unique form of endurance exercise.

Hyper Karting in Moore Park has turbocharged the innocent go-kart ride with fast, fume-free miniature racing cars that can reach up to 50 kilometres per hour and require proper driving skill behind the wheel.

After a thorough Covid safety assessment determined the business safe to operate as an endurance sport, it has given a number of families from within the five-kilometre radius the opportunity to enjoy some outdoor entertainment during lockdown.

Tika MacMaster at Hyper Karting. Picture: Richard Dobson

“The response we’ve received is incredible. Everyone who comes is always so grateful for the opportunity to have a proper celebration, like a birthday, while exercising their physical and mental health,” manager Andrew Richardson said.

“We’re very grateful to the police for providing a commonsense approach to this. It’s an outdoor venue where the air flow is second to none.

“Anyone from 140cm high can participate. Kids are my favourite when they come along because they always have the biggest smiles on their faces.”

Jess MacMaster at Hyper Karting. Picture: Richard Dobson

Drivers should not be fooled by the power of the little cars which are equipped with the latest technology and designed to simulate a real-life racing experience in the form of a twenty-minute workout

“We survey people before and after they race, and 90 per cent of people say that was more exercise than they thought it was going to be,” Mr Richardson said.

“They’re endurance races and they’re exhausting. A lot of people are pretty sweaty afterwards.”

Sarah MacMaster and her family are all too familiar with post-race exhaustion after their go-karting session on Father’s Day but said “it was awesome fun”.

“The kids thought it was fantastic. We were burning rubber. It really is quite a fitness workout. You really have to work hard, especially with the g-force around the corners,” Mrs MacMaster said.

“It feels super-fast because you’re at ground level. It’s like a mini formula one.

“It’s just great that there is something to do that is Covid safe. It’s terrific and highly recommended to anyway that’s living within five kilometres.”