Multi-level Karting Comes to Melbourne
Melbourne now has its own multi-level indoor karting venue, with the opening of PowerPlay Moorabbin.
The venue, featuring a fleet of electric Sodi Karts, is the first east-coast outlet for PowerPlay, which has gained a foothold on the Perth market since 2020.
The concept is the brainchild of noted rally co-driver Glenn Macneall, who scouted karting facilities around the planet to source ideas for the venture.
Macneall has already opened two venues in Perth, namely at Bibra Lake and Joondalup, with the company having ambitious plans to spread its wings around the country, with the potential for up to 18 venues within the next five years.
Work will commence on the third Perth venue next month, and infrastructure for the following Melbourne venue has already been ordered.
The company’s first Perth venue has already hosted 100,000 customers, and each of its karts has clocked 75-80,000km to date.
The brand has hit the ground running within the motorsport space – PowerPlay recently backed the July meet at the Oakleigh Kart Club, while this weekend the brand will adorn the bonnet of Brodie Kostecki’s Supercar.
Macneall, who brings extensive World Rally Championship credentials to his latest project, continues to be on a roll in the competition sphere.
Alongside driver Scott Pedder, the combination recently claimed a heat win at Rally Queensland. The pair now sits second in the Australian Rally Championship standings heading to the Gippsland Rally.
From behind the wheel at PowerPlay, it’s a proper rush – the concept allows the karts to slide through the corners, adding to the challenge of the two-story layout.
Also, the speed of the karts is adjustable, meaning that they can be enjoyed by kids as young as ten years old – all racers must be over 140cm and less than 120kg.
Another refreshing change is the lack of fumes within the venue, with visitors also not overpowered by excessive exhaust noise.
An interesting note is that PowerPlay developed the battery pack for the karts in-house. This pack is lighter than conventional packs and ensures quick charging, longer range, and better driving dynamics through its lighter design.
PowerPlay Melbourne is located at 94-98 Cochrane’s Road in Moorabbin. It is open 10am to 9pm Monday through Friday and 9am to 9pm on weekends.
Mark Walker (administrator)
A vastly experienced Motorsport Public Relations operator, journalist, commentator and photographer, Mark brings his unique angle to The Race Torque in both words and imagery. As well as serving as our key photographer on the ground at major events around Australia (and overseas), Walker will often chime in with his unique and pin-point sharp viewpoint of the racing world via the keyboard too.
