Formula Karting Special Feature - Need for Speed!
Formula Karting has quickly become our favourite escape for pure, uncomplicated speed thrills in Delhi-NCR — here’s what makes it so addictive.
By Team autoX
Photography By Sunil Chauhan
With only a handful of racetracks, it’s kind of difficult to satiate your appetite for speed-related thrills in controlled environments in our country. However, the good news is that we now have a lot of go-kart tracks in India and, suffice it to say, they are good enough to keep our and your need-for-speed satisfied.
Now, for us lot in Delhi-NCR, Formula Karting in Noida has become our go-to place to get our adrenaline pumping. And since it also happens to be one of the largest go-kart facilities in India – it’s spread across four acres with a running length of 770m and a width of 8m – we also use this facility to test the dynamic capabilities of vehicles as part of road tests, as and when we can.
We first tested four premium EVs, namely, the Kia EV6, BMW iX1, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and Volvo C40 Recharge, on this track, and more recently we took the Skoda Kylaq, Hyundai i20 N Line, and Maruti Suzuki Fronx to this go-kart track for a comparison shootout.
As always, we don’t miss the opportunity to have a bit of fun while we are at ‘work’ here, which invariably means blasting around this track in go-karts. To bring you up to speed, Formula Karting uses made-in-France Sodi RT8 and RT10 karts. These are powered by 240cc Honda-derived engine and are capable of clocking a top-speed of 100km/h – albeit that’s reserved for pros and racers. For general public, the speed is restricted to 60km/h.
Apart from the high-speed track action, Formula Karting’s ‘Drift N Drunch’ campaign – which is basically a two-day festival that brings the thrills of go-karting with live music and scrumptious food – has also garnered a lot of interest among enthusiasts. They just wrapped up the second edition of the campaign in February earlier this year.
In addition to Noida, Formula Karting has a track in Pune, too. What’s more, its parent company – Snow World Entertainment – is all set to inaugurate another go-kart facility in Delhi-NCR with a brand new track coming up in Gurugram soon. They claim it’s going to be bigger and grander than the one in Noida. As you would expect, we obviously can’t wait to zip around the new circuit!
What inspired you to start go-karting tracks in India?
We began go-karting in India to add a new level of entertainment inspired by motorsports. We saw a chance to establish a place where people could genuinely pursue their passion for karting, which has always been appealing to those who love adventure and adrenaline.
How does kart racing help nurture young talent?
It’s an experience that increases self-assurance, improves concentration, and forges enduring memories. They can push themselves, experience the rush of speed, and develop with each lap at the track. It’s not only about winning; it’s also about realizing their potential and setting off a passion that keeps them going back.
What’s the maximum speeds that your karts can reach?
Our karts can reach to speeds up to 100km/h, thanks to their aerodynamic design and powerful 240cc engines. However, the maximum speed is usually restricted to about 60km/h for most people for safety concerns for all skill levels.
What are the requirements to drive unrestricted karts?
Total beginners are often not advised to use it. To ensure that they can safely and comfortably control the kart, riders must be at least 12 years old and at least 4 feet 6 inches tall. Everyone is supposed to undergo a safety briefing that goes over track regulations, flag signals, and overtaking procedures before they may take to the track. Helmets, gloves, and closed-toe shoes are crucial.
Do you have any expansion plans in near future?
A brand-new track in Gurgaon is one of our most exciting future projects; it is scheduled to open in 2025. It is 1.2km long, built to international standards, and intends to have a significant influence on the Indian motorsport scene. Our goal with this project is to increase the accessibility and aspiration of professional-level racing for the upcoming generation of racers.
