Sandown Raceway in Melbourne

Get ready for a high-octane, adrenaline-fueled day in a legendary Sandown Raceway in Melbourne. Sandown regards itself as the “home of horsepower” and this 3-kilometer circuit annually hosts the popular Australian Supercar Championships.

V8 cars dominate the track and reach death-defying speeds of almost 220 km/h, completing circuits in under 2 minutes. But this elite tarmac isn’t just for the pros anymore. Petrolheads can now jump in the driver’s seat and test their endurance or opt for the passenger seat to feel the g-force at work.

Here's all you need to know about Sandown Raceway, one of the most exciting outdoor activities in Melbourne.

What are the best Sandown Raceway tours in Melbourne?

Front seat passenger laps Sandown Raceway, Melbourne

Racing enthusiasts can enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get in the passenger seat with the most notorious racer in Australian motorsports history. John Bowe is a V8 Supercar, Bathurst 1000 and 12-Hour champion and speed is the name of his game.

Gear up and let him take you on two energy-fueled laps around Sandown Raceway. The world around you will become a blur as you reach top speeds around the track, just as John has done countless times on race day.

Melbourne Sandown Raceway V8 Self-Drive Experience

If you have always dreamed of being Lightning McQueen for a day, this Sandown Raceway tour in Melbourne is the one for you. Be in the driver's seat and zoom around the famous tarmac to see if you can set up a new personal best.

You will get instructed by the best in the business and have access to the most powerful V8 cars in the country, everything your petrol-fueled dreams are made of. Your instructor will teach you all about the track's apexes, braking points and overtaking procedure and you will get kitted out in real racing gear in the pit lane, just like your racing heroes.

Sandown Raceway passenger and driving laps

If you simply cannot make up your mind on whether you want to drive or be a passenger, why not do both? This combination gives you the best of both worlds and lets you try several laps around the course before moving to the passenger seat to see how the pros do it.

Get expert training ahead of your laps and drive with an instructor by your side, guiding you around every corner. You can do 6 or 8 laps before you hand over the keys to a pro, taking you on two more thrilling laps for the ride of your life.  

Drive your own car at Sandown Raceway

Forget about speed limits, road rules and traffic police because a Sandown Raceway self-drive experience is as close to a real race as you will come. Bring your own car to the track and see what your nerves are made of.

This self-drive experience is meant to improve your skills under the guidance of professional drivers. You will get plenty of time on the track with this full-day experience with 20 minutes of track time per hour at Sandown.

How much does it cost?

Two laps around Sandown Raceway with John Bowe at the wheel cost AU$380 per person but for AU$220 per person, you can be driven by another professional driver from the racecourse.

To do four laps around the raceway in one of the track’s powerful V8 cars, you will pay AU$340 or you can drive your own car at Sandown Raceway for AU$400 per person.

A combined driving and passenger experience costs AU$730 per person for eight laps and AU$750 for ten laps.

If you bring your own car you will pay AU$400 per person for a full day of driving.

What is included?

All driving experiences start with thorough safety training from driving experts. If you are driving a car, you will also get professional training on how to approach the circuit, driving etiquette and general driving tips.

You will also wear a driving suit and an open-faced helmet, both provided by the racecourse. There is camera footage available for purchase after your experience and there will be tea and coffee served at the end.

If you choose to drive your own car, you will need to bring your own safety gear or you can rent it from Sandown. You will also have to provide your own fuel. You will however have access to a professional trainer on the day.

How long does it last?

You can expect to be at the racecourse for around 1.5 hours if you are a passenger and around 3 hours if you are doing your own laps or a combo of the two.

Self-driving days last from 8:30 AM to 4 PM and you can drive for 20 minutes every hour.

Which other outdoor activities can be done in Melbourne?

• Super car driving
• Rally driving
• Jeep tours
• Skydiving
• Airplane tours
• Helicopter tours
• Hot Air Balloon rides
• Bike tours
• Boat tours
• Hiking

Is it safe?

A Sandown Raceway driving experience is not suitable for pregnant people. You also need to weigh less than 130 kg and there is a height limit of 195 cm. Your blood alcohol level will be tested before driving and you need to measure 0.0% to ensure you comply with safety standards.

Do I need a driving license?

You do not need a license if you are a passenger but you need a minimum of a P-Plate license. This is equivalent to a full driver’s license in most countries. You do not need prior manual driving experience.

What happens in case of bad weather?

The experience is weather dependent and you should contact the service provider on the day in case of bad weather. In some conditions, the drive can continue but in other conditions, they will help you make alternative arrangements.

Are children allowed?

There is no age limit to be a passenger on a Sandown Raceway tour but there is a minimum height requirement of 135 cm. This is roughly a child of 12 years old.

Travel tips

• You are allowed to bring spectators to experience your drive from the sidelines so bring friends and family to cheer you on.
• Wear closed-toed shoes as a passenger and driving-appropriate footwear if you are driving.
• Bring your driver’s license as you will not be allowed on the track without physical proof.