Killarney International Raceway, the top spot for motor racing

Free for kids under 12 and you can bring in your own food

Last updated: Thursday, 19 June 2025 

From pros speeding in Lamborghinis to 5-year-olds racing mini motor bikes, there are so many events packed into the average Saturday lineup that it's impossible to get bored here. And one ticket gets you access to everything, with kids under 12 getting in for free. 

Our guide to Killarney International Raceway has tips on the best places to sit, how to get cheaper tickets, and what action you could easily miss but definitely shouldn’t. 

Table Mountain forms the backdrop for a day filled with exciting motor racing events. Image: Sharon Waugh

KILLARNEY’S MOST POPULAR ANNUAL EVENTS

Over 150 motorsport events happen at Killarney each year. On an average Saturday, there is a whole lineup of different racing events taking place. Women compete in almost every racing category, directly racing alongside men. 

One ticket gets you access to a full day’s worth of races. These are the most popular events:

Killarney Motor Show 

This happens on the first Sunday in November. Thousands of cars and motorcycles are on display from vintage classics to models not yet available in South Africa. Together with live music, food vendors, a fun fair, and high-speed passenger rides, this is the highlight of the year. 

Extreme Festival

A national championship that happens twice a year (March and September). Because of the high-quality racing and the expensive cars (there’s drivers in extreme supercars like Lamborghinis, Ferraris, and Porsches), this event is very popular and a bit more expensive.

Power Series

At these events, which take place nine times a year, 18 races happen in the course of the day for different classes of vehicles. Expect vintage cars like VW Beetles, high-speed race cars, motorbikes, and everything in between.   

A Formula Libre race car participating in one of Killarney’s many racing events. Image: Killarney International Raceway

Street Fest 

This December event is hugely popular among families because it happens in the school holidays. It consists of drag racing, drifting, and spinning.

Multiplex Events

Different parts of the Killarney Raceway are used for events like drag racing, rallycross, short circuit racing and karting. Kids from as young as 5 to adults participate in the short circuit racing and the karting. One ticket will gain you access to all four events.

Street Car Track Day 

On these days, you can race around the track in your own car in a class suited to your skill level. You can also learn to ride a motorcycle at high speed.

Robot Racing

On Wednesday nights twice a month, anywhere from 100 to 350 cars participate in a drag racing event. It’s called Robot Racing as a robot (traffic light) changing from red to green, signals to the drivers when they can go. 

Classic cars racing in the Power Series. Image: Killarney International Raceway

WHY FAMILIES LOVE IT 

Lots of play areas 

There are a number of play areas around the track, one of which features a small pedal go-kart track. There’s also a room with nappy changing and breastfeeding facilities. 

Kids compete too 

On certain Saturdays, kids can get in on the action with children of all ages (from as young as five) competing in miniature motor bike and go-kart races. 

Bring in your own food or braai for free 

Spectators are welcome to bring their own food or make use of the built-in brick braais around the track which are free to use. This, and free entry for kids under 12, makes Killarney a budget-friendly family day out. 

Kids Karting is a serious sport at Killarney. Image: Killarney International Raceway

LOADS OF AFFORDABLE FOOD OPTIONS  

There are also food trucks and stalls scattered around the track. Next to the main clubhouse is something of a food court with food trucks selling burgers, pizza, boerewors rolls, chicken, ice cream and more (with halaal options). 

There are also indoor restaurants, like Joubert Pits Lounge, which serves burgers, boerewors rolls, cheesy tikka chicken naan, masala steak pizza and more. 

Food trucks keeping the spectators fuelled. Image: Sharon Waugh

TIPS TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR DAY

The best places to sit

The best place to watch racing on the main strip is the blue stand between turns three and four. From here, not only can you see the starting/finishing line, but you can also see more than half the circuit. The stand also has a restaurant and bar. 

Alternatively, the Joubert Pits Lounge is in view of the starting and finishing line. This is best for when it’s chilly or raining, as the indoor seating area has big glass windows overlooking the circuit and TVs streaming the racing. 

To see the entire track, park your car on the spectator bank. It’s on the left of Joubert Pits, behind the stock car oval. Just make sure to get there early as this is a very popular spot to park and watch from your car.  

Don’t miss the spinning

Often happening at the same time as the other events, spinning competitions take place on one of South Africa’s biggest skid pans. It’s on the opposite side of the raceway to the main entrance, just next to the spectator bank. 

It’s not hard to see why this uniquely South African sport, which originated in Soweto in the 1980s, is fast becoming mainstream. Drivers spin their cars incredibly fast in elaborate routines. It’s absolutely thrilling to watch. 

Cars lining up to battle it out on the skid pan. Image: Sharon Waugh

You can visit the drivers in the pits 

There are some exceptions (for example, any endurance races), but for the most part, spectators are welcome in the pits and paddocks. If you’d like to see the cars up close and meet the drivers, there’s nothing stopping you.

Sam Drifts, one of the women who compete in Spin Outlaws. Image: Sharon Waugh

Tickets are cheaper if you buy them online

For the Power Series or one of the other multi-event days (not including The Killarney Motor Show or The Extreme Festival), tickets cost just R95 for adults and R10 for kids under 16 if you buy them online. Otherwise, if you buy them at the gate, they cost R130 for adults and R20 for under-16s. Kids under 12 are free either way.

There’s a free shuttle

The race track is really big and if you’re struggling to make your way to the different parts of it, there is a free shuttle that will pick you up and drop you off anywhere on the property. You can request a pickup on WhatsApp. The number is available in the programme of the day’s events.

The free shuttle responding to a pickup request. Image: Sharon Waugh

FOR MORE INFO

Killarney International Raceway is open:
Every Saturday and most public holidays: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Robot Racing takes place on two Wednesdays a month: 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Find it: 6 Potsdam Rd, Table View, Cape Town, 7441
Book: Via the Killarney website
Contact on: 021 557 1639

By Sharon Waugh

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FOR MORE FAMILY FUN 

Find more cheap things to do with kids.   

See 120 bird species and 212 indigenous plants at Intaka Island. 

Here are our 15 rare discoveries at the Two Oceans Aquarium. 

Looking for more to do? Check out our weekend guide.

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