GOKARTING

Bangalore’s new stress buster.

Bhushan Bopanna and Arvind were friends first and partners later in their Event Management Company, Zeroin Communications. Patel another friend, and scion of the Patel family, zamindars and landowners of large tracts of land in Bangalore, was running a resort called "Patel’s Inn" in R.T.Nagar. Adjacent to the resort, Patel owned a 5-acre stretch of land lying idle for years. After a trip to Dubai, where he saw a full-fledged Go-karting track, Patel suggested the idea to Bopanna and Arvind. With no prior experience with karting, the enthusiastic duo who had dabbled in races and rallies before, and always ready for new challenges, agreed to Patel’s idea. Thus was born RACE PACE, Bangalore’s first Go-karting track with an asphalt surface. When they inaugurated the track in July 2000, they never thought that a year later, India’s greatest race driver and ‘the world’s fastest Indian" Narain Karthikeyan, would be racing here. Bhushan is a proud man today as RACEPACE conducts the AMARON MAX KART CHALLENGE this weekend, where an estimated 750 karting enthusiasts, including Narain will be setting the tracks on fire.

Karting History:

Go-karting or Karting as it is popularly known was first started in 1956, when an American, Art Ingells built the first Go-kart for his son. It was built around a lawnmover engine, using a rope steering wheel. Since then karting has come a long way. Most formula1 race drivers started their careers with karting. Mika Hakkinen, Michael Shumacher and our own Narain Karthikeyan have all been karting champions. Karting is the first step to motorcar racing. But unlike Formula racing, Karting is an affordable sport. Karting is a relatively new sport in India and is slowly gaining in popularity. The karting tracks at Powai in Mumbai and in Pune run by the race driver Shyam Kothari were the early tracks. The first karting track in Bangalore is the one in Whitefield. But unlike the Patel’s track, it is made of concrete, which means lesser speeds and even less safety as the karts tend to skid.

The Karts:

There are 12 Karts in all, including 6 ‘colts’ for kids.The Go-karts are low slung in design like the formula 1 racecars, though much smaller and much less powerful. The 4- stroke Go-kart engines are basically modified Generator engines. The most common brand being Briggs and Stratum. They generate power upto 5bhp and karts attain speeds upto 70-80 kmph. They all run on petrol. Each kart cost upto Rs.97,000.The new karts with Kinetic Honda engine costs only Rs. 78,000, but the Motor Sports Association of India does not allow racing in other than 4-stroke engines. Other than the engines and the tyres, which are imported, everything else is made here. "The tyres are tubeless. MRF have informed us that they will be manufacturing these tyres here in India soon. Due to the heavy wear and tear on the tyres, they have to be changed every 20 days. One set of 4 tyres costs over Rs.5000" says Bhushan.Unlike regular cars, there is no differential, so all the tyres turn with the steering wheel.There are no gears and therefore only two pedals, the brake and the accelerator.The double reinforced steel frame around the kart ensures total safety for the driver. " When you are sitting so low down in your seat, the track literally comes on to your face. So speeds of 60 and 70 kmph feel much faster than they are. The thrill and the adrenaline rush have to be experienced to be believed, says Bhushan"

The Track:

The track is made of asphalt and is of international standards. One lap around the track is 400 meters unlike the track at Whitefield, which has only 350 meters. The track is lined on either side by used tyres that act as a buffer in case any driver goes off course. "The benefit of asphalt is that due to the traction this creates with the tyres, the drivers can go faster. And there is no chance of skidding". "It is only during the heavy rains that we may encounter a problem. But there are a bunch of drivers who love the thrill of driving in the rain. The curves and chicanes are a little more thrilling to negotiate", says Bhushan.

The Drivers

Anyone can try a hand at karting. Starting from as young as 3 years upwards. It is only during the races and championships that a driving license is mandatory as per the regulations of the Motor Driving Association of India. The track is a popular hangout for the college going kids, though the bulk of the enthusiasts are in the age range of 13 to 24. The karting bug has bitten even women. Bhusan says that he has working women professionals like lawyers and company executives who are karting regulars. Karting can be enjoyed both by the expert as well as the novice. The RACEACE tracks have two of the fastest karters in the country today as its regulars. Pritam and Fazal. Pritam is 19, while Fazal is 26. "These guys learnt to race here, and today I’m Proud to say they are the best in the circuit. Earlier, it used to be only the lads from Chennai who used to walk away with all the honours. But these two today have put Bangalore on the karting map of the country", Says a proud Bhushan.

Safety Measures:

As per the Motor Sports Association of India’s guidelines, the following safety precautions have been taken to ensure that no driver gets hurt.

• Tyre walls all around the track.
• Reinforced Guardrail on the outside of the track.
• Sunk seating in the karts so that the driver does not get thrown out.
• Helmets are provided for additional protection.
• Long flowing clothes like Salwar Kameez and sarees are not allowed.
• Long hair is also disallowed, as the engines are right behind the head of the driver.

Rates and Tariffs:

For only Rs.100, you can race around the 400-meter track for 4 minutes. That is roughly around 6 laps. "These are standard karting rates all over India". And unlike other kinds of motor racing, karting is so affordable even to the common man. They also have an annul membership wherein for a down payment of Rs.5000, members can avail of a 50% discount on all applicable rates. The management has the right to cancel and refuse membership as and when it decides.

Special Events:

The RACEPACE karting track holds weekend races on Saturdays and Sundays. There are also prizes and cash awards for the day’s winners. The current record for a single lap stands at 30.60 seconds.

Working Hours:

From 11 am to 11pm every day of the week. No holidays.

So if you are wondering what to do this weekend, head out to RACEPACE at R.T.Nagar, pay Rs.100, wear the helmet and climb into one of the karts. You never know, there could be a hidden driven in you who could break that lap record of 30.60 seconds. Even if you are not a racing enthusiast, the sheer thrill of the ride will leave you breathless. It could be the new stress buster for the city’s high strung and fast paced executives.

RACE PACE KARTING
PATEL’S INN, 38/2/2
15th CROSS, GOVINDRAJ GARDEN
2nd BLOCK, R.T.NAGAR
BANGALORE 560032
PH: 23337676; 9844061642 ; 9844012482

By Monu Surendran