ON your marks, get set, and they're off!

You've seen the Grand Prix accompanied by Murray Walker's legendary commentary . . . now try it for yourself in New Brighton!

Open every day from 11am 'til late, the New Palace Speed Kart Circuit is the ultimate racing experience. The first 12 gas-operated bullet karts on Merseyside fly round a state-of-the-art tarmac track at 25 miles per hour but, as the karts are two inches off the ground, it seems a lot faster.

Prices are very reasonable too: £3 for 10 to 15 laps during which you enjoy all the thrills and spills of a grand prix.

New Palace Managing Director David Wilkie, who invested £75,000 into the project, said the response since opening on Saturday, March 22, has been 'brilliant'.

He has plenty of plans to make the circuit an unrivalled grand prix experience. Corporate and party visitors are welcome to stage their very own race. Bar and food facilities will also be available, with the Hollywood bar being revamped especially for corporate and party events.

Your roving Globe reporters Damon Hill and Michael Schumacher, alias Steve Mullen and Steve Hunter, belted up and had a go. Our budding racers voted it a hit.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.