Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Karting off the honours
|
Coimbatore racers proved they were the best at the 24-hour State level go-karting challenge, writes Rayan Rozario
|
JUBILATION TIME Team PSG CAS
When the going gets tough, the tough get going. The students of PSG College of Arts and Science were up against a similar situation at Chennai last week.
But being tough cookies, they withstood the challenge and went on to pocket the first-ever `Rexona Rush Hour' 24-hour State level go-karting challenge.
Tough training
The 42 teams that were picked from Chennai, Coimbatore and Pondicherry over the last three weeks went through tough practice and preliminary sessions.
After a long drawn battle, the teams were narrowed down to six for the final showdown.
In the title clash, the contestants fought the whole day through.
To keep their energy levels high, Arjun and his band, a local music group, played heavy rock music. The cheer leading squads joined the crowd in rooting the teams.
Upto the task
None of the participating teams showed signs of slowing down even during the final hour of the race.
When the clock stopped short for the count, the lap calculations were done and PSG with a record 1781 outsmarted Computer Associates (Chennai, 1755) for the coveted crown. Hindustan College (Coimbatore, 1699) finished third.
Great experience
"Getting a chance to stay out on the track the whole day through was a different experience for all of us. But, it was really very, very tough. None of us slept. Each one of us constantly encouraged the other. Probably that won the day for us," says N. Prithiviraj, a first year MPIB student of PSG.
"We did not even have time for a face wash," adds Hashif of II BBM in a lighter vein.
He says the worst experience was not in tackling karts but the hot and humid conditions.
"We drank bottles full of glucose but everything was sweated out. It was particularly hot in the early part of the race," says Prithivi.
Sriram of II BBM says there's a big difference in driving a car and a kart.
A different ball game
"I bet driving a car is easy. It has power steering. It was not very comfortable in the kart. Your fingers, forearms and back all started aching at the end of the day." Team captain Vignesh of II BCS calls it teamwork.
"Each one gave their best. Sriram did a wonderful job. He covered 80 laps in 30 minutes. It was a record of sorts in the whole championship."
"Vignesh drove continuously for an hour and covered the most number of sessions," adds Sriram.
"The night sessions were more fun. With fire shows and music playing all round we enjoyed every minute of it," says Swetha Bathija of first year Viscom.
"More than the merry mood it was the seriousness with which we took the event that earned us the honour," says S. Nisevitha, a final year commerce student.
"Our parents were a bit worried initially because it is a dangerous sport but we managed to convince them. We told them that we did not want to miss a great opportunity. Today, they are a happy lot," says Mani Paul, of third B.A. (Economics).
Totally zapped
"We were thrilled but we did not make merry because we were totally drained out. We rushed to our rooms looking for beds to sleep on. We knew that we could always celebrate the next day," says K.S. Padmanabhan of II BBM.
Prior to the championship, the contestants had an opportunity to experience the excitement and thrill of the racing world as they raced against each other in formula cars on the national level racing track at Sriperumbudur.
Tips from a pro
They also got a bit of training from A1 GP World Series driver Karun Chandok and his team of experts. "The championship tested the stamina of the participants in the most challenging conditions on the track. This indeed was a great opportunity for aspiring racers. They experienced the energy and the exhilaration which fuels an individual to challenge his limits on the real racing track," says Karun.
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
|
