The Race Centre
BEST FOR
Ages 8+
ENTRY
from £10
SETTING
Indoors
WHERE
Eastleigh
What it’s like
Strap into a professional racing simulator rig and lap real circuits with proper physics, no motion sickness, just very serious pedals.
This is not a fairground racing game. The simulators run the same software professional race teams use for driver training, with real-world tyre and car physics, so it's a proper step up from anything on a games console. Drivers pick from Formula 1, Indycar, Stock Car, Touring Cars, LMPs and GT3s or GTEs, choose a circuit, and race against others on linked rigs. Paddle shifters are standard, with manual or automatic gears and an optional clutch, so nobody's forced to be a gearbox expert on lap one.
It's for age 8 and up, with a minimum height of 4'5" and a maximum of 6'11", and the site is upfront that the physics make it harder than the F1 games, so don't expect anyone to be instantly quick. Open sessions run £10, school holiday sessions for 8 to 17 year olds are £18, and group Grand Prix heats range from £42 for a short 75 minute slot up to £60 for a three hour extended one, covering 4 to 10 drivers. Every event starts with a driver briefing, which is worth knowing if you've got a nervous first-timer who needs the controls talked through properly rather than just handed the wheel.
Booking is recommended rather than compulsory, though walking in risks arriving mid-event and being turned away. Arrive 10 minutes early to get signed in. Opening hours are afternoon and evening on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, mornings through to early evening at the weekend, and it's closed all day Tuesday, which catches people out if they're used to venues that never shut.
Parking is in the precinct car park and free for the first two hours, but you do need to register your vehicle if you're staying longer or risk a charge notice, easy to forget once you've had a good session and lost track of time. There's a gift shop on site and it's wheelchair accessible, with staff happy to talk through adaptations like remapped hand controls for drivers with restricted leg mobility.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- 8 and up; teens who fancy a real driving challenge
- Booking
- Recommended to avoid disappointment
- Parking
- Large precinct car park, free for first 2 hours
- Closed all day Tuesday, so plan around it
- Register your car after two hours in the car park or you could get a charge notice
- Sessions start with a driver briefing, useful if nobody's used a simulator before
- There's a gift shop on site if you want a souvenir after the laps
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
Open sessions are £10. School holiday sessions for 8 to 17 year olds are £18, and group Grand Prix heats range from £42 for 75 minutes up to £60 for a three hour slot, covering 4 to 10 drivers.
Do we need to book?
It's not compulsory but they recommend it, since walking in while another event is running means you might not get a slot. Arrive 10 minutes early to sign in.
What age can drive?
The minimum age is 8, with a minimum height of 4'5" and a maximum of 6'11". Open Race Meetings need drivers to be 14 or over, and Open Team Endurances are 16 and up.
Is it too hard for a first-timer?
Most people who come are first-timers. Every event opens with a driver briefing, though the physics are more realistic than console racing games, so take it easy on the first couple of laps.
Do the simulators actually move?
No, the pods are stationary, which keeps motion sickness off the table while still giving a convincing sense of speed.
What days is it open?
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons into the evening, weekend mornings through to late afternoon or early evening. It's closed all day Tuesday.
Is there parking?
A large precinct car park with free parking for the first two hours. Stay longer and you'll need to register your vehicle to avoid a charge notice.
Can you do birthday parties or group bookings?
Group events run for up to fifty drivers through various formats, and birthday parties and group bookings are both catered for.
Is it accessible for wheelchair users?
The venue is wheelchair accessible, and staff are happy to discuss adaptations for specific disabilities, such as remapping pedals to hand controls.
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