Asia's First Indoor Gamified Electric Go-Kart In Singapore

(SPOT.ph) How many of your friendships have gone sour after a game of Mario Kart? This virtual go-kart game can get too intense. Sure, it's fun when you're leading but it gets to you when someone throws a banana or a bomb your way and makes you lose your spot. Before you know it you're cursing at everyone.  

Granted you only have experience driving virtually, say on controllers, tablets, or other gaming devices. But ICYDK, you can play the real thing. Like sitting-inside-a-go-kart-and-zooming-through-race-karts real at HyperDrive, a.k.a "Asia's first indoor gamified electric go-kart circuit." This is The Palawan @ Sentosa. Yup, book that flight you've been wanting to take with your friends to Singapore and check out the experience.

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Try your hands out at go-kart at this indoor circuit in Singapore.

You may have already been included in a group chat with your friends about an upcoming trip (whether or not it will push through is debatable). But if we can recommend a place to go to, The Palawan @ Sentosa comes to mind. It is known to be a beach playground that is also home to several first-of-its-kind attractions—one of which is, of course, HyperDrive. It's just a few steps away from Sentosa's Palawan Beach as well as the Beach Station car park and public transportation, which is perfect should you want to commute with family or friends.

Stepping inside the circuit feels like logging into the game IRL. It's airconditioned, too, so you don't have to sweat a lot in your helmets. Occupying the majority of the space is the three-level indoor track (spans 308 meters) with fourteen thrilling turns. It was designed by former karting world champion David Terrien. 

You'll hear the electric karts zooming around as soon as you step in—which is enough to definitely make you even more excited. Aside from the track, there's also a dining space, or their HyperDrive Cafe. You are welcome to watch the race from their viewing deck here.

You must be at least 9 years old and 130 centimeters tall to ride a go-kart alone. There's a Dual Kart that can accommodate children at least 90 centimeters tall and a driver who is 18 years old and 140 centimeters. Speaking of the go-karts, there are three variations: the Junior Kart, Senior Kart, and Dual Kart. The Junior Kart is designed for kids and is easier to manage. Its maximum speed is 30 kilometers per hour at Novice Level. The Senior Kart, on the other hand, has better acceleration. It can go up to 30km/h at Novice Level.

For Senior Karts, should you want to go to a maximum speed of 50km/h, you can. As long as you have a valid car or motorcycle license, are at least 18 years old, and have achieved a lap time of 34.5s and below at Novice Level. Advance-level tickets can be purchased on-site. 

Each session lasts approximately 30 minutes, and that includes undergoing a compulsory pre-race safety briefing as well as gearing up. Helmets and baklava are provided on-site, and the crew will determine the correct helmet size for you before you go on track. Each time on track lasts about eight minutes—a bit fast, sure, but trust us, you won't be able to feel that it's only just for that long, especially if you're a bit nervous. You need to arrive about 30 minutes before the session for the briefing. 

Do take note that heels, slippers, sandals, open-toe, and platform shoes are not allowed in the area. Complimentary covered shoe rental is available at HyperDrive if you haven't packed the appropriate kicks.

The go-kart experience in itself is exhilarating. It's fun as it is—having to drive an actual go-kart and racing with your family and friends. But HyperDrive takes it up a notch by letting us experience what it is like in virtual games through Game of Karts. You can have special powers! What do we mean by that? You can collect "bonuses" and "weapons" and be the winner.

For example, if you activate the "Super Power," you can slow down all your opponents. The "Shoot!" on the other hand, is a homing missile to target and slow down the racer in front of you.

Overall, it's a fun experience to have with family or friends. More on the latter, TBH. It's an experience that could only strengthen your bonds. 

Where to find HyperDrive?

For a Go-Kart Race, the prices are as follows: Junior Kart is at $40 or ₱1,720.57; Senior Kart, depending on the sessions (1/2/3 sessions) is at $45 (P1,937.54), $86 (3,702.81), and $122 (P5,253.18); Dual Kart is at $50 (P2,152.69). The Game of Karts is at $55 (P2,369.18). You can check out more information or book online.

They only accept contactless payments. According to their website, they accept Visa, MasterCard, UnionPay, JCB, Amex, Apple Pay/Google Pay/Samsung Pay (Visa/MasterCard), WeChat Pay, Alipay, Grab Pay, ShopeePay, Dash, and EZ-Link.

HyperDrive is located at 54 Palawan Beach Walk, Singapore. They're open Mondays to Fridays from 12:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. and on Saturdays, Sundays, public and school holidays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The last entry is at 8:30 p.m.

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