Red Lodge Karting

About Red Lodge Karting

Red Lodge Karting is a long-established outdoor petrol circuit at Red Lodge, just off the A11 between Newmarket and Bury St Edmunds, and the operator marks around 30 years of running karting here. It's a proper outdoor track rather than an indoor leisure loop, and it's floodlit, which means evening racing is part of the offer. What sets it apart is the range: four separate fleets of Honda-engined karts and two track configurations mean it genuinely caters for eight-year-olds on their first laps right through to owner-drivers testing their own race machinery at weekends.

The Circuit

The full circuit runs to just under 1200 metres, and a shorter 700m version — built around the tighter infield — is used for smaller groups and younger drivers. On the full lap the outer "extension" loop opens up the better overtaking spots, while the infield section is deliberately hard to pass on, so the two layouts reward slightly different driving. Karts are split by ability: GX160 cadet karts run to about 35mph, mid-range GX200s to around 40mph, and the top GX270 karts are quoted at up to 60mph with strong acceleration, so experienced drivers get a genuinely quick outdoor kart rather than a limited rental machine.

Who Should Visit

This is a good all-rounder for families and beginners as well as keener racers, largely because the fleet is tiered by age and height. Cadet karts start from age 8, the GX200s are aimed at children and adults over about 147cm, and the fastest GX270s are for older teenagers (14+) and adults; competitive open races are restricted to ages 16 and over. That spread makes it easy to put a mixed-age group out safely in appropriate karts.

Beyond arrive-and-drive practice, Red Lodge runs kids' parties (minimum group of five), exclusive group and corporate events, one-to-one coaching and a full owner-driver scene, including the Club 2000 championship and other race series with regular test days. If you want somewhere to progress rather than just visit once, that competition ladder is a real draw.

Planning Your Visit

Red Lodge Karting is at Link Road, Red Lodge Bypass, near Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP28 8LE, sitting right by the A11 — handy from Newmarket, Cambridge and much of the region. It's an outdoor circuit, so racing generally goes ahead in the wet (which can make for the most entertaining sessions), but it's worth checking ahead if the forecast is severe.

The on-site Lodge Coffee Shop is open at weekends, on bank holidays and for special bookings, and the venue also hosts other activities such as clay shooting and laser tag, so a visit can be built out into a fuller day.

Practice sessions, races and party packages get busy at weekends and in the holidays, so book ahead rather than turning up on spec. Pricing is mid-range for UK karting; confirm the latest rates, session types and the age or height requirements for your chosen fleet with the venue before travelling.

Frequently Asked Questions