The Arad race track in the southern Israel desert — EXR Racing
FOR VISITORS · EXR RACING

Adrenaline Things to Do
in Southern Israel

Search for things to do in southern Israel and you'll get the same list every traveler gets: Masada at sunrise, a float in the Dead Sea, a desert hike. All worth doing — and all missing the region's best-kept secret. Near the town of Arad sits a state-licensed race track with 14 corners, and you can drive a real sports car on it.

THE SECRET

A race track in the desert — really

It surprises almost everyone: out in the southern desert, in the same region travelers cross for Masada and the Dead Sea, Israel keeps a genuine, state-licensed racing circuit. The Arad track is no improvised cone course — it's a purpose-built layout with 14 corners, an official pit lane and a spectator area that seats up to 1,000 people. It's where EXR Racing runs its driving experiences, and where you — with nothing more than the license already in your wallet — can spend an hour as a track driver.

The setting alone is worth the trip. Desert light does something special to a lap: long sightlines, sharp shadows in the corners, and when the engine goes quiet, actual silence. Drivers who've done circuits elsewhere in the world consistently rank the emptiness of the landscape as the thing they didn't expect to love.

THE ITINERARY

Building the perfect southern desert day

The south rewards sequencing, and the track slots in best at the start. A proven template for a one-day loop:

  • Morning — the track. Book the early slot, especially in summer, when the desert is at its coolest and clearest. Briefing, then your session: roughly 60 minutes of driving in the entry format, with a certified English-speaking instructor beside you for every lap.
  • Midday — history. With the adrenaline still settling, continue toward Masada — the fortress plateau story hits differently when your hands are still buzzing from a steering wheel.
  • Afternoon — the float. Finish at the Dead Sea, where the water does the opposite of a race track: total decompression. The contrast is the whole point — probably the only day of your life containing both apexes and effortless floating.

Traveling as a family or group? The spectator area means nobody waits in a parking lot — companions watch every lap from the stands, and the included video and photos mean the drive is documented for the group chat before dinner.

PRACTICALS

What a visitor needs to know

The requirements are minimal by design. A valid driver's license — your foreign one is accepted as-is, no international permit needed. Closed shoes. That's essentially it: the car, insurance, briefing and camera coverage are all part of the package. Prices are transparent, from ₪1,000 (about $270) for the ~60-minute format up to ₪8,000 for a full experience day — the pricing page lays out the tiers.

Your machine options: the Corvette C6 with its 450-hp V8, the four-wheel-drive turbo Mitsubishi EVO X, or the balanced BMW M240 — meet all three here, or let our comparison guide argue it out for you. Seasonally, winter and the shoulder months are glorious in the desert; in July and August, simply book the morning.

Booking works from anywhere: one WhatsApp message to +972-50-661-0451 with your dates, and you'll have a confirmed slot before you've packed. First time on any track? The beginner's guide covers what to wear and what to expect, and the full tourist guide answers every visitor question from licenses to seasons.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly is the Arad race track?+

Near the town of Arad in southern Israel, in the same desert region travelers cross for Masada and the Dead Sea. It's a state-licensed circuit with 14 corners, an official pit lane and a spectator area for up to 1,000 people.

Can I combine the track with Masada or the Dead Sea in one day?+

That's the classic pairing: morning laps while the desert is cool, then history at Masada or a float in the Dead Sea in the afternoon. If those sites are already on your route, the track adds adrenaline without adding a detour-day.

Is the desert heat a problem for driving?+

Plan around it, not against it: in summer, book an early-morning slot before the heat builds; in winter the desert is mild all day, and spring and autumn are comfortable throughout. Bring water and sunglasses whatever the season.

Do I need to be an experienced driver for a desert race track?+

No — a valid license (foreign is fine) and the included briefing are enough. A certified English-speaking instructor sits beside you the entire session and sets a pace that matches your skill.

What does a track session in the south cost?+

From ₪1,000 (about $270) for roughly 60 minutes of driving up to ₪8,000 for a full experience day, with insurance, instructor, briefing and video/photo coverage included at every level.

How do I book while traveling?+

One WhatsApp message to +972-50-661-0451 — it works from a hotel in Tel Aviv or a kibbutz guesthouse by the Dead Sea equally well. Tell the team your dates and you'll get a confirmed slot and quote in English.

Add the lap nobody's itinerary has

Message us your southern Israel dates on WhatsApp and we'll fit a desert track session into your route — English all the way.