Try go-karting for real thing

CHANDIGARH, JAN 19: If you want to have a feel of Formula I racing on a much smaller scale, of course try go-karting. And you needn't go ...

CHANDIGARH, JAN 19: If you want to have a feel of Formula I racing on a much smaller scale, of course try go-karting. And you needn8217;t go all the way to Delhi for it either because the Chandigarh region8217;s first go-cart track opened today.

Cyclone Go-karting offers 16 of the sputtery little buggies claimed to be quot;state-of-the-artquot; at its track on the GT Road, opposite the Nevedac Prosthetic Center. The carts and track have been set up with technical collaboration of Scorpion of the UK.

According to Ronnie Baath, one of the partners, go-karting is the cheapest, most enjoyable way to experience motor-racing.

It is also safe due to the extremely low centre of gravity of the karts and relatively low speed. Delhi and Bombay have had tracks for quite some time now. Baath and his two partners one of them Hari Singh, India8217;sNumero Uno racing driver choose Chandigarh for their venture because, says Ronnie, quot;people in Chandigarh are fond of cars, and this is a great way to enjoy the feel of the high speed motor racing we watch on television.quot; The fact that Baath and Hari Singh are themselves long-time Chandigarh residents might also have something to do with it.

The track here 450 metres long and 7 metres wide can accommodate 12 drivers at one time. The go-karts as well as all the systems have been designed in England. They are all state-of-the -art, with built in safety features and fully computerised. For example, if one kart has had a mishap or is flouting rules, the computer, with the press of a button can either stop one or all karts on the track instantly. There are tyre barriers around the circuit which prevents the driver from getting injured. Four of the karts are twin-engine models for racing.

So are they promoting go-karting as an amusement or a sport? According to Hari: quot;It is definitely a sport which provides a lot of fun. It is not pure amusement as it has its rules and techniques. It is one of the most popular sports in England and Europe and these tracks are consistently breeding drivers that progress eventually to higher and faster forms of racing including formula I, the pinnacle of motor sport. Naturally, we want to encourage rallying and promote motor sports.quot; The partners plan to form a Chandigarh team for racing.

Cyclone Go-karting will be open Sunday-to-Sunday from 10 a.m. to midnight. A fast-food cafe will also be opening at the track soon.

Parul

Parul is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express in Chandigarh. She is a seasoned journalist with over 25 years of experience specializing in public health, higher education, and the architectural heritage of Northern India. Professional Profile Education: Graduate in Humanities with a specialized focus on Journalism and Mass Communication from Panjab University, Chandigarh. Career Path: She began her career covering local city beats and human interest stories before joining The Indian Express in 2009. Over the last decade and a half, she has risen to the rank of Principal Correspondent, becoming the publication’s primary voice on Chandigarh’s premier medical and academic institutions. Expertise: Her reporting is deeply rooted in the institutional dynamics of PGIMER (Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research) and Panjab University. She is highly regarded for her ability to navigate complex administrative bureaucracies to deliver student-centric and patient-centric news. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2024 - 2025) Her recent work highlights critical reporting on healthcare infrastructure, academic governance, and urban culture: 1. Public Health & PGIMER "PGIMER expands digital registry: Centralized patient records to reduce wait times by 40%" (Nov 20, 2025): A detailed look at the digital transformation of one of India's busiest medical institutes to tackle patient influx. "Robotic Surgery at PGI: Why the new urology wing is a game-changer for North India" (Oct 12, 2025): Reporting on the acquisition of state-of-the-art medical technology and its impact on affordable healthcare. "Shortage of life-saving drugs: Inside the supply chain crisis at government pharmacies" (Dec 5, 2025): An investigative piece on the logistical hurdles affecting chronic patients in the tri-city area. 2. Education & Institutional Governance "Panjab University Senate Election: The battle for institutional autonomy" (Dec 18, 2025): In-depth coverage of the high-stakes internal elections and the friction between traditional governance and central reforms. "Research funding dip: How PU’s science departments are navigating the 2025 budget cuts" (Nov 5, 2025): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing researchers and the impact on India's global academic ranking. 3. Art, Culture & Heritage "Le Corbusier’s legacy in peril: The struggle to preserve Chandigarh’s Capitol Complex" (Dec 22, 2025): A feature on the conservation efforts and the tension between urban modernization and UNESCO heritage status. "Chandigarh Art District: How street murals are reclaiming the city’s grey walls" (Oct 30, 2025): A cultural profile of the local artists transforming the aesthetic of the "City Beautiful." Signature Style Parul is known for her empathetic lens, often centering her stories on the individuals affected by policy—whether it is a student navigating university red tape or a patient seeking care. She possesses a unique ability to translate dense administrative notifications into actionable information for the public. Her long-standing beat experience makes her a trusted source for "inside-track" developments within Chandigarh’s most guarded institutions. X (Twitter): @parul_express ... Read More