By Izah Morales
INQUIRER.net

Getting derailed thrice, crashing into tires and finishing five laps in 2 minutes and 4 seconds at the Sepang International Karting Circuit taught me how karting can be dangerous yet can still be an exhilarating ride.

As one of the media delegates for the Norton Asean Speed Challenge, I had the chance to drive the 1,247-meter-long circuit. The challenge for the media delegates was to finish five laps with the best time.

With my excitement, I forgot to do warm-up exercises before riding the kart. As the green flag was waved, I stepped on the gas pedal, accelerated and made my way through the turns. It was a race and so I drove as fast as I could with my right foot on the gas pedal. But then, I didn’t maneuver the steering wheel well on the curve, driving my way out of the track. It was a bit shameful to be pulled out thrice. But then again, learning is not an overnight process. Yet on my last lap, I was able to smoothly drive through the curves and finished the fifth lap victoriously. Though I didn’t have the best time, I felt like I was still a winner, for karting taught me lessons beyond the four corners of a classroom.

1) EXERCISE. Before karting or doing any strenuous activity, never forget to do a warm-up exercise to prepare your muscles or else you’ll find yourself cramping in pain the day after karting.

2) SAFETY first. Never sacrifice your safety for the sake of winning a competition. Always drive carefully and responsibly.

3) ENJOY. Racing without enjoyment is like eating cake without the icing.

The Go-Kart circuit, one of the five circuits at the Sepang International Circuit, is 10minutes away from the Sepang F1 circuit, where Eddie Irvine, Michael Schumacher and Mikka Hakkinen raced during its inauguration in 1999 finishing first, second, and third place, respectively. Since its inauguration, Sepang International Circuit has been host to world championships in motorsports. Come November 21^st-23^rd, the Sepang International Circuit will host the A1 Grand Prix, a single make open-wheel auto racing series where teams represent a nation.