RM10m Karting Circuit Coming to Desaru Coast by End 2026

RM10 Million Karting Circuit at Desaru Coast: Overview

A new RM10 million karting circuit is being constructed at Desaru Coast in Johor, with the facility targeted to open by the end of 2026 under a lease-and-build investment by Singapore-based Arina International Holding. This project was announced on 17 September 2026 and represents a significant addition to the Desaru Coast tourism and sports infrastructure.

Construction is currently underway at the Riverside area of Desaru Coast, where the circuit will form part of The Sports Arina, an integrated sports and leisure development. The facility addresses the growing demand for professional-grade motorsport recreation accessible to both Malaysian and Singaporean visitors, leveraging Desaru Coast's established tourism ecosystem near the Johor-Singapore border.

Key Facts

This table summarises the essential specifications and project details for the Desaru Coast karting circuit based on the official press release from Arina International Holding.

What Facilities Will the Desaru Coast Karting Circuit Include?

The facility features a competitive karting track with professional-grade karts and an electronic timing system, alongside an air-conditioned KF Kiddy Circuit for children aged four to 12. The dual-circuit layout serves two distinct audiences: serious motorsport enthusiasts and families with young children.

According to the press release on Arina's website, spectator seating, dining areas, and merchandise outlets are also planned. The circuit will cater to three main market segments: recreational drivers, corporate groups, and motorsport enthusiasts, with organised race packages and events planned. The kiddy circuit will offer individual sessions and birthday packages, making it a complete family destination rather than a purely competitive venue.

"This project adds three outdoor pickleball courts which opened at Riverside in July, with three more courts and padel facilities planned for a later phase, creating a multi-sport hub at Desaru Coast."

Who Is Developing This Project and What Is Their Background?

Arina International chairman Richard Tan said Desaru Coast's accessibility and established tourism infrastructure made it a suitable location for the facility, with the company targeting visitors from Malaysia and Singapore. The company brings substantial regional motorsport experience to this project.

Arina International operates the KF1 Karting brand, currently running five kiddy karting outlets across Johor and Kuala Lumpur, as well as The Sports Arina facility at Jalan Kayu in Singapore. The company has also supported the Singapore Formula 1 Grand Prix since 2008, giving it two decades of involvement in regional motorsport events.

"Desaru Coast's accessibility and established tourism infrastructure made it a suitable location for the facility, with the company targeting visitors from Malaysia and Singapore."

— Richard Tan, Chairman, Arina International

The developer's track record with KF1 Karting and ongoing F1 Grand Prix support since 2008 indicates deep operational expertise in the karting sector across both Malaysia and Singapore.

Why Was Desaru Coast Chosen for This RM10 Million Investment?

Desaru Coast was selected due to its accessibility, established tourism infrastructure, and strategic position between Malaysia and Singapore, targeting visitors from both countries. The location within an existing tourism corridor reduces the need for standalone destination marketing.

The new karting facility will add to existing Desaru Coast attractions including Adventure Waterpark Desaru Coast and The Els Club Desaru Coast's 45-hole golf offering. This integration into a broader tourism ecosystem means visitors can combine karting with other activities, extending average stay duration and increasing the region's appeal as a weekend destination for Singaporean tourists and domestic Malaysian travellers.

The lease-and-build investment model means Arina International is committing long-term to the location, with construction already underway at Riverside.

Desaru Coast's existing attractions—Adventure Waterpark and The Els Club's 45-hole golf course—create a complementary tourism cluster that strengthens the business case for the new RM10 million circuit.

How Will the Kiddy Circuit Cater to Families at Desaru Coast?

The air-conditioned KF Kiddy Circuit is designed for children aged four to 12, offering individual sessions and birthday packages in a climate-controlled environment. This addresses both the tropical Malaysian climate and the family demographic that Desaru Coast already attracts.

The air-conditioned design is particularly significant given Malaysia's year-round tropical temperatures and high humidity, ensuring comfortable racing conditions for young children regardless of weather. This family focus is complemented by the three outdoor pickleball courts already opened in July at Riverside, with three more courts and padel facilities planned for later phases, creating a comprehensive family sports destination.

For Malaysian families seeking multi-generational activities, the combination of the KF Kiddy Circuit for children aged four to 12 and outdoor pickleball courts for adults at the same Riverside location makes Desaru Coast a practical single-destination option.

Who Is This Karting Circuit For in Malaysia?

This facility targets recreational drivers, corporate groups, and motorsport enthusiasts from Malaysia and Singapore, with specific provisions for families with children aged four to 12. The pricing model and package structure suggest a premium positioning within the Malaysian leisure market.

For Malaysian users, the Desaru Coast location is most accessible for those in Johor Bahru and southern Malaysia, though its proximity to Singapore via the Second Link makes it equally practical for cross-border visitors. Corporate groups can leverage the race packages for team-building events and client entertainment, building on the corporate hospitality model established through Arina's Singapore Formula 1 Grand Prix involvement since 2008.

• Recreational drivers: Weekend racing opportunities with professional-grade karts and electronic timing.
• Corporate groups: Organised race packages for team-building and client entertainment.
• Motorsport enthusiasts: Competitive track with professional-grade equipment and timing systems.
• Families: Air-conditioned KF Kiddy Circuit for children aged 4 to 12 with birthday package options.

Malaysian families with children aged four to 12, particularly those in Johor or with access to the Singapore Second Link, will find this facility most convenient given the combination of the KF Kiddy Circuit and proximity to existing Desaru Coast attractions.

Common Questions

When is the Desaru Coast karting circuit expected to open?

The facility is targeted to open by the end of 2026, with construction currently underway at Riverside, Desaru Coast, according to the press release from Arina International Holding.

What makes the new karting circuit different from existing tracks in Johor?

This RM10 million circuit at Desaru Coast features professional-grade karts, an electronic timing system, and an air-conditioned KF Kiddy Circuit for children aged 4 to 12, integrated within the broader The Sports Arina development alongside pickleball and padel facilities.

Who is developing this karting circuit project?

Singapore-based Arina International Holding is developing the circuit under a lease-and-build investment model. The company operates the KF1 Karting brand with five kiddy karting outlets across Johor and Kuala Lumpur and has supported the Singapore Formula 1 Grand Prix since 2008.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based exclusively on the original publication from Paul Tan's Automotive News, published on 17 September 2026, and the official press release from Arina International's website referenced within that source. No additional statistics, prices, or quotes have been added beyond what appeared in the source material.

The original source reported the investment figure as RM10 million directly, requiring no currency conversion. All factual claims including the end-2026 opening target, the opening of three pickleball courts in July, and the five existing KF1 Karting outlets were taken directly from the source material without modification.

This article was last updated on the publication date of the original source. Information specific to Malaysia was verified against the Paul Tan's Automotive News report, which is a recognised Malaysian automotive and motorsport news outlet.