I usually go karting during the summer as most tracks are outdoor and closed in winter times. Karting in Lebanon is not that popular and there are barely few decent tracks, mainly the RKZ (Racing Kart Zouk) and the Race of Champions track in Mansourieh (not sure if its still open though).
The track in Zouk is right next to the Dream Park on your way up to Jeita. It has two different types of karts that you can use, the 6hp cars for beginners and the 9hp cars for experienced drivers. You become experienced after you drive more than 10 times and get a card that allows you to drive the 9hp. I’ve been driving the 9hp for years now and it is a huge difference from the regular cars in handling and in speed.
Price wise, you pay 15,000 LL or 10$ for 15 minutes during week days and 20,000 LL or around 13$ on Saturdays and Sundays.
Prices haven’t increased over the years, weird…
I like how you use lunapark as a common word. It’s the Lebanese version of the Kleenex. The Lunapark is in Nahr el Mot in front of the Almaza, this one is next to Dream Park 🙂
I go to Zouk’s track every now and then and once got interested in driving the 9 horse cars but a guy working there told me I can’t do it, and I didn’t understand a thing of his explanation on how to get that license.. so I just apply for it at Zouk, I drive 10 times, and then they let me drive the more powerful karts? that simple?
Regarding the mansourieh track, I went there 1 month ago and it was closed.
Rami,
They write down your name everytime you go and once you get 10 times, they hand you a card that allows you to drive the 9 horse. Of course you need to show it every time you go.
Problem is i got this card 4 years ago, and since then i havent asked about how to get the 9 horse card, so i suggest u ask again.
Last time I went karting was when the karting place first opened in Jounieh near ATCL. I think it was back in 1995… before I got my driving license.
The one in Kaslik is still open but it is really bad and the track is very short.
oh, back in 1996 I went buggy riding (not ATV) near nahr ibrahim. Had a terrible experience, as I approached a u-turn at the end of the track, I removed my hand from the gas (brake and gas were located behind steering) and the buggy wouldn’t slow down or react, so I pressed the brakes and it also didn’t work. So I was going full speed with no brakes or anyway of slowing down, I either had to hit the wall at the end of the track or turn and flip. I turned and flipped. Ended up getting a deep cut on my right arm which you can still see. I was pretty lucky it was just a cut..
Why didnt you jump and leave the buggy?
THe buggy looked kinda like this http://bit.ly/9Nq4XN
so not easy to jump out. Also are you crazy? It’s not like the thing was slow, it was fast so jumping out of it would have probably resulted in some major road rash and probably a fracture somewhere.
Lol my bad, i thought it was open.
LOL Mark!! This whole time I thought ur accidents been from Karting which is why I always have had some sort of fear.
I ride this buggy in the desert over here and its not closed up! There’s a pic of me driving one, with my entire body flying out when I was driving over a dune, and I’m holding the steering wheel with for my life! LOL
Mom’s even driven it :p
hahahahah Mark.. the same thing happened to me at Dream Park but on a ATV.. since that time i hate ATVs!
is it a nice place to enjoy karting?
There’s no nicer place in Lebanon Hassan.
i think fee wa7ad be jounieh
My son is 9 years old , is he allowed to drive in zouk mosbeh track. He’s driven karting many times before
Yes he should be fine. There’s the new racing track in Mtein (RPM) that has training programs for kids.