Go-karting gets a kickstart

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: From the recent visit of Narain Karthikeyan, the first Indian Formula One driver, to the city, nothing concrete evolved with respect to holding a demo drive in the state. But it was a blessing in disguise for go-karting, another genre of high adrenaline event which is more tinted with entertainment factor than action.     Inspired by Narain Karthikeyan, talks regarding establishing a go-karting centre by a private firm near Akkulam has been  completed. Sources told ‘City Express’ that a team of experts including Jose Pottankulam, team principal of M&N go-kart racing team would visit the proposed site owned by Arun Varghese, a businessman here, Monday.Go-karting is considered as the basis of racing. With sufficient security apparatus in place, the event can be used to give a preliminary know-how on how the real stuff works. ”Narain Karthikeyan was surprised to find out that there was no centre in the state where go-karting was taught in a professional manner. Actually go-karting would help to mould young drivers who could later shift their focus to professional racing,” said Jose Pottankulam, who himself was a former  rallyist. As per the proposal, 50 cents of the land need to be filled before concreting the surface. Then coal tar would be laid on the surface. Jose said that if the racing surface is constructed on a levelled surface, it would enhance the performance. Eight-single seated karts and two double-seated karts would be brought from Chennai. This would cost around Rs 13 lakh rupees. If things go on as planned, construction of go-kart surface can be finished within three months,Jose said. In addition to the plot at Akkulam, the  organisers are also mulling over the idea of arranging a makeshift racing track in the parking lot at Technopark. ”On weekends,the parking area is lying vacant. So we have decided to talk to the Technopark officials and arrange a track there. If they agree,then we can conduct corporate championship for the employees of the park,” said Arun Varghese. Meanwhile V R Naren Kumar, the former Asia Zone Champion from Coimbatore has agreed to train the students of the centre. He would be assisted by Jose Pottankulam.