Bushy Park Circuit
Key facts: St. Philip · Free · Tuesday 9AM-5PM, Wednesday 9AM-5PM, Thursday 9AM-5PM, Friday 9AM-5PM, Saturday 9AM-4PM · Ages: all
Bushy Park Circuit is a 65-acre motorsport facility in Gaskin, St. Philip, and is the premier racing venue in the English-speaking Caribbean. The circuit offers public karting sessions, kids karting, rally drives, and track days alongside an annual calendar of competitive events including Rally Barbados. Karting is available Tuesday to Saturday from 9AM.
About Bushy Park Circuit
Bushy Park Circuit sits on 65 acres of land in Gaskin, St. Philip, on the south-east coast of Barbados. The original track was built in 1971 by sugar plantation workers to a design by local rally driver Ralph Williams, and for three decades it was the hub of Caribbean motorsport, drawing crowds of up to 15,000 people to its events. By the mid-2000s the facility had fallen into disrepair, but a major redevelopment project began in 2013 supported by the FIA, the Barbados Motoring Federation, the Government of Barbados, and local investors.
The circuit reopened in 2014 with the Top Gear Festival as its launch event, featuring Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button, and the Global RallyCross Championship. It subsequently hosted the 2014 Race of Champions, putting Barbados on the international motorsport map. The current facility includes a 2.01-kilometre international circuit, a rallycross track, a CIK-grade kart circuit, and a drag strip.
Why Families Go
Bushy Park is one of the few places in Barbados where families with older children can do something genuinely high-adrenaline together. The karting sessions are the main draw for walk-in visitors, with a kids-specific karting experience available for younger drivers. The Sprint Experience is a 10-minute timed session, and the Grand Prix Experience includes a qualifying lap followed by a 15-minute race. No prior experience is required for any of the sessions and all equipment is provided.
On event days, spectating at Bushy Park is an experience in its own right. The SOL Rally Barbados is the most significant annual event on the calendar, drawing international competitors and filling the Bushy Park pits with rally cars from across the world. Spectator access is free or very low cost on most event days.
What to Know Before You Go
The Kidz Karting experience puts children behind the wheel of a Biz Evo2 Cadet Kart on a purpose-built 0.41-kilometre circuit. Each kart runs a 160cc four-stroke Honda engine, mechanically governed to 20mph, with remote shut-off available at any time. It is designed for children aged 5 to 11 who meet the minimum height of 4 feet 2 inches, and all safety gear, including helmet, balaclava, and neck brace, is provided on the day.
Two session formats are available. The Sprint Experience is a 10-minute timed session where each driver receives a lap time sheet showing individual times and their best overall performance. The Grand Prix Experience runs for 20 minutes and suits groups of five or more: five minutes of qualifying sets the starting grid, followed by a 15-minute race with finishing positions and individual lap times recorded for every driver.
Parents are welcome to join for group sessions, family fun days, and birthday packages.
Before any session, all drivers watch a mandatory safety video covering flag meanings and how to enter and exit the kart correctly. A liability waiver must be signed prior to the start, and drivers 18 and under must be accompanied by an adult guardian during the briefing, who signs the waiver on their behalf.
Enclosed shoes or sneakers are required. Current pricing and availability can be confirmed directly with the venue.
Family Fit
Best for families with children aged 8 and up who meet the height requirement for karting. The Kidz Karting experience brings the minimum age down for younger children. On race event days the circuit works well for all ages as a spectator experience with free or low-cost admission.
Questions parents ask
Where is Bushy Park Circuit?
Bushy Park, Gaskin, St. Philip, Barbados, on the south-east coast of the island.
Can the public go karting at Bushy Park?
Yes. Karting sessions are open to the public Tuesday to Saturday from 9AM to 5PM. The Sprint Experience is 10 minutes from and the Grand Prix Experience is 20 minutes. Booking in advance is recommended.
Is there karting for children?
Yes. A Kidz Karting experience is available. Children must be at least 4 feet 2 inches tall to participate. Adult karters must be at least 5 feet tall.
What events does Bushy Park host?
Bushy Park hosts Rally Barbados, track days, karting championships, and occasional international events. It previously hosted the Top Gear Festival and the Race of Champions. Check bushyparkbarbados.com for the current events calendar.
Is it free to watch events at Bushy Park?
Spectator admission for most events is free or low cost. Rally Barbados spectator access at Bushy Park has been free on some days and as low as $5 to $15 for adults on others, with children 12 and under typically entering free.
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