GYG Karting

I’m always looking for somewhere to go in the chopper, and particularly when I have my boys here, and we want to go off and do something fun. Yesterday I visited Glan y Gors Park karting circuit in Cerrigydrudion, Corwen, North Wales. GYG is an outdoor go-karting circuit set in the welsh countryside and is owned and operated by Ed Davies. It’s a family afair with his wife, sons and daughter plus a few others all helping out at some stage or another.

Formula 1 Team

I had been introduced to Ed via another heli pal of mine Darren, a part owner in G-LADZ and we had all visited a few weeks ago (sadly I drove there as the JetBox was in maintenance). We did, however, have Audrey there in her R22 so I knew that they were heli friendly and Ed, in fact, is just starting his PPL (H). Landing the JetBox therefore, was unlikely to be a problem. It’s only a 30 minute flight from Barton and we flew a direct track from EGCB, through Liverpool, overhead Hawarden (avoiding the restricted area) and then straight into an area directly behind the racing track.

Racing Dude

The facilities at GYG are great, and will shortly be improved, the track is a an outdoor circuit and can be made smaller/larger by simply coning off entrances to corners etc and therefore making it suitable for a variety of different styles of karting (Junior/Adult/Competition/Semi-Professional/Professional).  There are adequate changing facilities, toilets a n area serving refreshments and viewing areas. It’s simply a great place for a trip out to kill an afternoon or for a corporate day of some sort.

On arrival we had an audience (as usual) and Ed and his family came straight over to look after us. We were given a thorough safety briefing (I was already on a Black flag from my last visit!!) and then we were taken to a changing area to be kitted out in protective overalls and headgear. Soon afterwards, we were led out onto the track and allocated our karts. My youngest son is only 13 and was only able to drive a single engined Kart as opposed to the twin engined beasts allocated to me and my eldest son.

We managed to get the track to ourselves and spent the next 20 minutes or so careering around the track and I, for once, managed to stay on the tarmac, facing the correct direction for the duration. Which is more than I can say for my two boys!!!! I will admit that I was taking it easy (I’m getting old) and a light drizzle had started which makes the track particularly slippy. I passed both my angels on a few occasions as they were spinning 360′s and trying to ‘right’ themselves.

For the aviators amongst my readership, the added bonus of GYG’s stunning location is that it is not too far away from RAF Valley and whilst I was on the track, 3 fighter jets roared passed at low-level on a training detail (I presume). Ed tells me that the pilots sometimes come in for a day on the track and often fly overhead to say hello! Bloody awesome.

I can’t recommend GYG Karting strongly enough, so if you’re looking for somewhere to visit by heli or any other mode of transport, give Ed a call. Visit www.gygkarting.co.uk for more information.