Frequently asked questions
First time at a sim racing venue? You're in the right place. Here's everything you might want to know before booking.
First time? Start here
Quick answers for anyone who hasn't tried sim racing before.
I've never done sim racing — is this for me?+
Yes! Most of our customers are first-timers. Our setups are designed to be welcoming for absolute beginners while still being satisfying for experienced racers. We give every guest a short briefing before their session and you can use any of three driving difficulty modes (assists ON for casuals, assists OFF for the brave).
Do I need a driver's license or any experience?+
Nope. There's no licence requirement, no minimum experience, no test. If you can press buttons and turn a steering wheel, you can race. We'll show you everything you need on arrival.
Is it like an arcade game or like real driving?+
Closer to real driving than an arcade. We use professional-grade Moza R3 direct-drive wheels in real Playseat F1 cockpits — the same gear sim pros train on. The wheel actually fights back when you grip the road, so you feel the car. But you can't crash and there's no real-world consequence — perfect for safe practice.
How long does a session actually last?+
Sessions are 15, 30 or 60 minutes of driving time. We recommend arriving 10 minutes early for a safety briefing and seat setup. So budget 25 / 40 / 70 minutes total at the venue.
Will I get motion sick?+
Most people are fine. If you're prone to motion sickness, start with a 15-minute Sprint session and let your eyes adjust. Take breaks if you feel any discomfort and don't push through — sim sickness builds quickly. Tip: focus on the road ahead rather than your dashboard.
What should I wear?+
Comfortable casual clothes. Closed-toe shoes are best (you'll be using pedals). Avoid loose accessories that could catch on the wheel. No special gear required.
Bookings, prices & timing
How sessions work and what you'll pay.
How much does it cost?+
Three packages: SPRINT (15 min) $25 · RACE (30 min) $40 · ENDURANCE (60 min) $75. Optional 15-minute upsell ('Stay On') for +$15. All prices in AUD and include GST. You can book 1, 2 or 3 rigs per booking — perfect for friends or a quick race night.
Can I book multiple rigs for me and a friend?+
Yes — at the booking step pick 1, 2 or 3 rigs. We have three identical setups so you and your mates can race head-to-head, on the same track, at the same time. Each rig is its own session — so a 15-minute Sprint with 2 rigs is $50 total.
What's the cancellation policy?+
Full refund if you cancel more than 24 hours before your session. Within 24 hours is non-refundable. No-shows are treated as same-day cancellations.
Can I change my booking time?+
Yes — email hello@kartmateracing.au at least 24 hours before your scheduled time and we'll move it (subject to availability). Within 24 hours, changes are at our discretion.
Do you take walk-ins?+
Sometimes — depends on the day's bookings. To guarantee a slot, book online. We always honour pre-booked sessions over walk-ins.
Groups, kids & accessibility
For families, parties, and special arrangements.
Are kids allowed?+
Yes — we welcome racers of all ages, but anyone under 14 must be accompanied by a paying adult who supervises during the session. Kids do really well at sim racing.
What's the youngest age you'd recommend?+
We recommend racers from age 10 and up. The pedals can be a stretch for very small kids, and concentration matters. If your child has done racing video games at home, they'll likely love it.
Can I book for a group / birthday / corporate event?+
Of course — for now, book the rigs you need through the regular booking flow. For larger groups (4+ people) or special arrangements, email bookings@kartmateracing.au and we'll work something out.
Is the venue accessible?+
The venue is on Level 3 of Castle Towers, which has lift access. The cockpits themselves require some mobility to climb into — please contact us in advance if you have specific accessibility needs and we'll do our best to accommodate.
Tech & racing
For the curious and the competitive.
What hardware do you use?+
Each rig has: Moza R3 direct-drive wheel (8 Nm of force feedback), Moza pedals with load-cell brake, Playseat F1 Edition cockpit, 55-inch 4K display, Xbox Series X. All identical across the three rigs so it's a level playing field.
Can I bring my own wheel / pedals?+
Not at this stage — keeping all rigs identical is what makes leaderboard times fair. We may run BYO-wheel events in future.
Venue & logistics
Getting here and what to expect.
Where exactly are you?+
Level 3, Castle Towers Shopping Centre, Castle Hill NSW 2154. We're inside the centre — take the lift or escalators up. Map and directions on our /venue page.
Is there parking?+
Castle Towers offers 3 hours of free parking. After that it's paid hourly — check the rates board on arrival. Our 60-minute Endurance session plus the 10-minute briefing fits comfortably inside the free window.
Public transport?+
Castle Hill Metro Station is a 5-minute walk. Multiple bus routes also stop at Castle Towers.
Can I watch even if I'm not racing?+
Absolutely — there's seating in the lounge. Bring a friend to spectate, cheer, or take videos.
Food and drink?+
We're inside Castle Towers — full food court is a 1-minute walk. We don't serve food at the venue but you can grab something nearby and bring drinks (lidded only please, no open cups near the rigs).