If you’ve been following my blog, you’ll know all about the fierce yet friendly rivalry between my daughter and me when it comes to go-karting. (If not, check out our earlier escapades here: Family Rivalry on the Track: My Daughter vs Me at Teamsport Cardiff). So, it should come as no surprise that for my birthday this year, my daughter laid down a challenge: a head-to-head race to see if I’ve still got what it takes now that I’m a year older.
We got up bright and early on a cold January Saturday, ready for our 9:40am session at Teamsport in Cardiff. If you’re planning to go go-karting there, I can’t recommend signing up for an account enough. You can customise your nickname for the track scoreboard, choose a photo, and track all your race results. It’s a great way to add a personal touch and keep tabs on your progress.
A Quiet Track and a Special Celebration
We arrived 40 minutes beforehand, as required, which also happened to be opening time. To our surprise, we learned that there would only be four of us on the track: my daughter, me, and another father-son duo. Having the track to ourselves like this was a rare treat – certainly a first for us.
The Teamsport staff were incredibly friendly and, upon learning it was my birthday (thanks to my daughter’s quick input), they went the extra mile to make it special. My daughter was thrilled to wear a furry panda helmet cover, though she was disappointed I didn’t pick one out for myself. Another highlight was discovering Teamsport’s new headcovers for long hair. While not much use to me, they’re a game-changer for anyone with longer locks. The balaclavas have an extended back piece to tuck into the karting suit, keeping hair secure and compliant with safety rules. This solved a long-standing frustration for my daughter, whose hair often had a mind of its own during races.
Cold Conditions and Slippery Challenges
Despite the quiet track and the friendly atmosphere, neither of us managed to beat our personal best times. I’m chalking this up to the freezing conditions. While the track is indoors, it’s not heated, and the cold January air made it particularly challenging. The lower part of the track was especially tricky, with condensation creating a slippery surface. I even spun out on one of the bends, which is something I never do! My daughter took great delight in reminding me of this throughout the day.
A Memorable Day
What made this visit one of the best wasn’t just the friendly staff or the near-empty track, but also the other racers. The father-son duo we shared the track with were competitive but in a friendly way, which was refreshing. In the past, we’ve encountered adults who take things too seriously and end up bumping children into the barriers. This time, the camaraderie on the track made all the difference.
The Teamsport team even invited us to take advantage of their “race again” vouchers, offering 50% off our next session. It’s a tempting offer, and I’m sure it won’t be long before we’re back on the track to settle the score once again.
All in all, it was a fantastic way to celebrate my birthday. The combination of family rivalry, a quiet track, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere made it a day to remember. Here’s to many more races to come – and perhaps a few new personal bests along the way!
Curious about what else I got up to for my birthday? Check out my first visit to Baffle Haus in Bonvilston: Celebrating My Birthday at Baffle Haus.
