Gymkhana (motorsport) facts for kids

Gymkhana is a fun and exciting type of motorsport where drivers race against the clock. It's known by different names around the world, like Motorkhana in Australia and New Zealand, and Autotesting in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Just like autocross, the main goal in gymkhana is to finish a course as fast as you can. A big part of doing well is knowing the course by heart. The name "gymkhana" actually comes from an equestrian sport where horses and riders perform skilled maneuvers.

In car gymkhana events, drivers navigate through a special course filled with obstacles like cones, tires, and barrels. They have to use many different driving skills. What makes gymkhana different from regular autocross is that drivers need to do things like quick reversals, 180-degree spins, 360-degree spins, parking in tight boxes, and driving in figure-eight patterns. Even drifting is often used if it helps get a faster time! Basically, gymkhana is any event with a start, a finish, and obstacles to get through, all within a time limit.

Drivers and Skills

The main aim for a driver is to complete the course as quickly as possible, making very few mistakes. To do this, drivers need to be good at speeding up (acceleration), slowing down (braking), and controlling the car while it slides (drifting) or grips the road.

It's not just about controlling the car; gymkhana also needs strong mental focus and the ability to remember the entire course layout.

History of Gymkhana

The idea of gymkhana actually started with horses, long before cars were invented! In ancient times, racers would pick up small flags during races, like those in the days of Genghis Khan. Native Americans also raced on tough courses to show how brave they were.

Over time, these challenging races became more friendly and festive events. The spirit of skill and speed then carried over into car sports.

Gymkhana Courses

Gymkhana courses usually involve driving only in first and second gear. However, in the UK and Ireland, "autotesting" courses also include using reverse gear. A typical gymkhana course takes about 45 seconds to 1 minute and 30 seconds to complete.

Like autocross and autotesting, gymkhana courses are set up using cones as "obstacles" to drive around. But unlike autocross, which is like a small version of a race track, gymkhana obstacles often include:

• Slaloms (weaving through cones)
• 180-degree turns
• 360-degree turns
• Figure-eight turns
• Sometimes, parking boxes (where drivers must park precisely)

Gymkhana really tests a driver's memory and focus because parts of the course often need to be repeated, driven backward, or navigated differently. Drivers use many special techniques to get through a course effectively, such as:

• Using the handbrake for tight turns
• Drifting and sliding the car
• Left-foot braking (using the left foot for the brake pedal while the right foot is on the accelerator)

Competition Rules

In Japan, gymkhana competitions follow the rules set by the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF), which is part of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA).

Sometimes, gymkhana courses can be used for a whole year, unlike autocross or autotesting where a new course is often set up for each event. Drivers in gymkhana usually get two chances to run the course. Their fastest time is then used to decide the winner in their class.

If a driver hits a cone, they get time penalties added to their score. If they don't navigate the course correctly, they won't get a time score at all.

National Competitions

Japan has a very organized system for gymkhana competitions, from local events all the way up to national championships. Drivers can compete in official local events to qualify for regional events, and then move on to higher levels. Japan even holds an "All Japan Gymkhana" competition every year!

Even though gymkhana in Japan is governed by the FIA, there isn't an official international gymkhana competition yet. Drivers who compete in official events might need to have a special competition license issued by the JAF.

See also

• Autotesting
• Gymkhana (motorcycle)
• Motorkhana

In Spanish: Yincana para niños