At Madras Worldwide Karting Enviornment (MIKA), you possibly can hear the go-karts earlier than you see them. Comply with the sound of the engines and you’ll attain the spanking new 1.2 kilometre observe. Seven-year-olds are whizzing previous, manoeuvring their dashing karts with nice management like they’ve been driving for many years. As compared, I — with 20 years of expertise of driving on the street — match the pace of a bullock cart, cautiously hitting the brake each time I flip a nook.
MIKA was launched final week amidst nice fanfare as two-time Method One champion Mika Hakkinen inaugurated the power. He even did a few laps across the observe with Narain Karthikeyan and Karun Chandhok, former F1 racers from India. “Mika drove the electrical kart and the Rotax race kart. He was fairly impressed with the circuit and stated it’s a good playground for younger drivers. He’s seeking to come again right here extra typically,” says Rohan Shankar, head of operations – MIKA.
Launch of the Madras Worldwide Karting Enviornment
| Picture Credit score:
Particular Association
The observe, developed by Madras Motor Sports activities Membership (MMSC), has been concerned in motorsports because the Fifties and instrumental is making Chennai a hub for this sport.
“It took slightly over 12 months to construct MIKA, whereas it took 12 years to construct the Madras Worldwide Circuit again within the Fifties,” says Rohan, including, “All F1 drivers come from a karting background. MMSC is aware of how essential karting is to develop motorsports on the grass-roots stage and they also constructed MIKA to bump up worldwide racing and the talent of racers right here,” he provides.
Whereas there have been karting arenas in Chennai, what’s particular about MIKA is that it’s India’s first karting circuit constructed to FIA-CIK (Fee Internationale de Karting) specs. “This implies we are able to get authorised to carry world championship racing and that is essential for the expansion of the game in India. Should you see the observe, it’s completely laid and never bumpy. The approval from CIK additionally is determined by security. We’ve acquired the proper sort of limitations comprising round 5,000 tyres stacked across the observe with a belt wrapped round it. There are digicam programs for every nook, and floodlights to mild up the observe that may additionally host evening racing,” explains Rohan.
Competitions are already lined up, with the MECO FMSCI Nationwide Karting Championship Rotax Max Courses 2024 beginning this weekend . The observe is a delight for racers and novices. Narain Karthikeyan even known as it difficult after a fast drive. “The observe has a number of tight corners and camber on just a few turns; the elevation additionally adjustments. One requires talent to benefit from their time on the observe,” says Rohan.
MIKA at present has 25 karts, together with petrol and electrical variants. There are karts for youths, adults and twin seaters as properly, between seven to fifteen horse energy. The on a regular basis karts can go as much as 75kmph and the skilled ones go as much as 160 kmph.
“There was a rise in curiosity in karting,” says Rohan, including that this facility will make karting accessible. Shortly, it’s going to even be open to novices and households. Everyone can strive their hand at it, and people with an curiosity can take it to the subsequent stage.
MIKA is in Irungattukottai, adjoining to Madras Worldwide Circuit.
| Picture Credit score:
Shiva Raaj
Printed – September 24, 2024 03:20 pm IST
