Life in the fast lane: The GP Karting experience

For some reason, the low ground clearance of the cars fills the driver with temptation to accelerate even more, maybe even break out of the track and challenge a plane to a runway race at the neighbouring Wilson Airport.

Unfortunately for speed enthusiasts, the machines at the Nairobi track can only hit a maximum of 60kph, but this is adequate as most racers don’t get to reach the cap.

Just a tip for those who’d love to top 60kph — special arrangements with some amusement parks in California can get you driving models that hit up to 260kph. These are, however, only specifically for professional GP Karting drivers.

The simplicity of the machine makes it a sport friendly for just about everyone. But like most sporting activities, participation is just not enough at times.

Barely a metre in width, the kart’s chassis is made of steel but each side is covered with plastic wrap around bumpers to ease the bump during crashes, which are quite common on the track.

Each machine only has an accelerator, brake and steering wheel, making it pretty easy even for those who have never driven, or for those who have only driven automatic cars. But don’t let this this fool you — the amount of concentration required could be high depending on the nature of the track.

“You press down the accelerator with your right foot when you need to speed up and the brakes with your left foot when it’s time to slow down,” says a track marshal at the track.

The GP Karting Nairobi track has about six corners, two of which are sharp as a razor blade, and could require quite some brain power in manoeuvering without losing too much speed.

Luckily the marshals at GP Karting are gracious enough to give newbies quick tips to bring them up to speed with the workings of the machine, and the track.

Releasing the accelerator five metres from the sharp corners then punching the speed pedal after the kart has negotiated about 85 per cent of the corner can prove to be a handy trick for instance. The move also makes the kart occupy a lot of space, making it difficult for anyone behind to overtake you.

GP karting is one of the sports in which one’s greatest advantage could be weight (specifically lack thereof).

“Just as it is with most vehicles the lighter you are, the faster you move. The kart also picks up speed much faster when it is lighter,” says the race marshal during a briefing right before getting onto the track.

This however should not be a deterrent as I still manage to finish third in a race against other scribes, despite weighing a massive 104 kilogrammes, and ahead of some racers who were half my weight.

The vehicles at the Nairobi track are fitted with transponders which help the marshals detect any crash and to time each racer’s laps.

As regards safety, each racer is equipped with a fitting jumpsuit and a helmet. The track is also surrounded by tyres, which make even the crashes a tad fun as the impact is almost entirely absorbed.

A ride on the GP Karting, along Lang'ata Road, costs Sh1,300 for 10 minutes per adult, but the monthly Saturday Night Racing includes three warm up laps, three qualifying laps and two rounds of ten laps each. The ten best drivers then go for 15 final laps.

Young ones between 13 and 16 years of age will part with Sh1,100, those between 9-12 years are charged Sh1,000 and 5-8 year olds Sh900.

The 10 minute ride is exhilarating.

GP karting makes a good bonding session and by default a great team building sport — especially for the monthly Saturday Night Racing tournament.