Have you been wondering what to do for your birthday this year? Are you trying to plan that elusive date night your partner has been pestering you about? Maybe you and your mates are just bored and need to go and do something filled with adrenaline?
The good news that provides an answer to all those questions is that PowerPlay has just opened a new location in Sydney. Situated in Northmead, it’s just five minutes away from Parramatta and 30 minutes from the CBD.
As the business’ name, PowerPlay Next-Level Karting, would suggest, it’s a fully indoor venue that allows up to eight people to race each other in electric karts on short, technical circuits. As a bonus, they’re custom tuned for each course.
Staff can slow them in case of an incident, as well as allowing decreased speeds and power for children. Founded by Glenn MacNeall, one of Australia’s most experienced World Rally Championship (WRC) co-drivers, each venue has a bespoke layout.
“I come from a world where you learn by doing,” Glenn explains. “In many ways, PowerPlay is about educating our guests to be better drivers through their experience with us.”
The electric kart’s low grip, combined with high torque, means that you can drift them to your heart’s content, which is fitting because the new Sydney venue has a track inspired directly by the Rally of Finland.
Nicknamed the “Grand Prix of Rallying”, Finland is famous for having the fastest WRC rally stage, where cars navigate blind crests and jumps at an average speed in excess of 125km/h, and that’s on gravel.
With high elevation changes, fast speeds, and a loose ‘gravel-like’ surface, this is clearly reflected in Sydney’s challenging circuit design. Getting your racing lines right here is crucial, as the first corner is followed up by an impressive climb that builds a sense of dread.
This climb is followed by the fastest section of the track – a small drop and a high-speed right hander that feeds into a hairpin. Oh, and before we forget to mention it, there is a full one-storey drop between the right hander and the hairpin.
A tricky chicane that bodes well with a Scandi flick leads onto the back straight before a sharp right hander takes you back to the start. Seven turns, seven braking zones, and seven chances to tie the perfect lap together.
Given his WRC experience, Glenn and his team know that rubbing is racing. PowerPlay tells its patron what to do, rather than what not to do. They do not have nonsense rules like ‘allow overtakes’ or ‘no overtaking’.
Rather, they promote racing and competition, even if it’s only for bragging rights at the end. “We also want to break some of the stereotypes a lot of people have around motorsport by giving them an authentic experience that challenges their thinking,” Glenn notes.
This is reflected by staff who actively give you tips as you race around the 200m track. They are quick and attentive when an incident occurs too. They can control the speed of the karts with a press of a button, which is far safer than running a flag system.
In the span of four years, PowerPlay had already opened its doors in seven locations across Australia. This eighth location which opens today – June 4, 2026 – also marks PowerPlay’s expansion into Sydney for the first time.
“What we set out to achieve is a driving experience like no-other that can be enjoyed by drivers of all levels.” With a devout following, PowerPlay now has two-time Dakar Rally Champion Toby Price acting as an ambassador.
“PowerPlay is not just about competition with your mates, it’s also about pushing yourself to improve your own personal lap time – something at the very heart of professional rallying.”
Glenn MacNeall and his team have set up PowerPlay Sydney to offer a unique experience not found anywhere else in city. From the kind and respectful staff that actively coach you to the unique combination of highly tuned karts and a slick, technical track, it’s proper fun.
You can find out more, and book in your next session on their website.
