The popularity of F1 racing is rising with every grand prix event in India , thanx to Star sports/Espn and surely is a big craze nowadays, with Schumacher , Coulthard having a huge cult fan following .There is even special screening of these live telecast of F1 races over big screen in numerous pubs in Bangalore. This has influenced in opening up of another kind of entertainment outlets called ’’Go-karting’’ circuits in major big cities.Go-karting , with roaring engines have been the foundations on which racing legends like Schumacher, Hakinnen and Coulthard have built their dreams. So has our own Formula III champion Karthikeyan .(Just wish he makes it!!!)
In Bangalore, places like, Patel’s along with the Speedzone on the outskirts at whitefield, were one of the first to introduce this sport.Even tho’ these dont ’ve state of the art race tracks, but these initial experimental ones will definitely be inspirational for more sophisticated ones in near future for sure.
The miniature jaguar prototyped 150cc carts used basically ’ve an accelerator, sterring wheel ’n brake.The winding maze of grey tarred roads, r lined by tyre barriers , which rebounds the kart in case if it happens to slam into it.Eventho’ it is a very dangerous sport, these speedzones ’ve taken all steps to nullify the risks invovled, say for eg, by introducing more curves at regular shorter spacings ’n hence minimizing the chances for exceeding the dangerous speed limits.(infact the max speed limits u can reach with these karts , poses no risks ).So in all a highly addictive ’n a pretty safe sport , especially for teenage kids ’n for those who want to vent their passion for pushing the pedal to full throttle, but couldnt do so on B’lore roads.
Eventho’ Speedzone at Whitefield is a notch better than this place, the proximity of Patel’s Inn to the city , makes this a more preffered choice.There r many racing competitons ( national level racing last dec) held here regularly, which has nowadays become a big event .There is also a proffesional trainer available for those who want to take up this sport seriously.
A bit of advice for those who r new(first timers) wud be to, try out when the track is relatively free(so that u r not caught offguard by fellow racers who may zip past u narrowly from behind in those small lanes) ’n enjoy first inital outings by just cruising around at a relaxed pace, atleast until u get a hang of it.(infact no risk involved with speed but just to avoid embrassment by bumping into those side barriers).This place will be crowded over weekends, so first timers try out early in the day or over weekdays ’n I bet u will be thrilled ’n hooked to this at the end of first lap.
Surely these joints woud act as a catalyst in fuelling the hidden racing talents.So if speed is your middle name and formula racing is something you’re still not comfortable with, then go for go-karting Or as they say in go-karting circuits the world over `When you gotta go, you go-karting.’ !!!!!!!