Kartodromo Locarno-Magadino
by Motorsimitaly
•
May 12, 2026
V. 0.3
The GOKART Locarno-Magadino track is one of the best-known karting circuits in southern Switzerland and has been closely tied to motorsport culture in the Locarno region for about 50 years.
Origins and construction
The circuit was built in the mid-1970s by the Longhi family near Magadino, on the plain along the Ticino River. The venue became the home track of the Kart Club Locarno, which was formally founded in 1977 to promote kart racing in Ticino. The track itself is a permanent karting circuit about 620 meters long with roughly 10 corners. It is one of the few kart tracks in Switzerland homologated by the national motorsport federation.
International racing history
The circuit gained international recognition very quickly. In 1981 it hosted the Kart Junior World Championship, an event remembered because future Formula 1 legends such as Ayrton Senna and Riccardo Patrese competed there. Over the decades, many Swiss and international drivers trained or raced at the track, including
Sébastien Buemi
Raffaele Marciello
Alex Fontana
The circuit became an important development venue for young drivers in Ticino and the wider Swiss motorsport scene.
The Kart Club Locarno era
The Kart Club Locarno organized numerous local and national competitions, endurance races, trophies, and youth training programs. The club helped create a strong karting culture in southern Switzerland, especially in the Sopraceneri region.
Modern period
Today the track remains active as both a competitive karting venue for private racers, and a public rental kart facility.
The venue recently celebrated its 50th anniversary during the 20252026 season, highlighting its long-standing role in Swiss motorsport. The track is also known for its scenic setting near Lake Maggiore and the Magadino plain nature reserve, giving it a distinctive outdoor atmosphere.
