"Gymkhana"?

[Ming]

What the heck is "Gymkhana"?



The Corvette in the photo above is participating in a "new" U.S. motorsport called "Gymkhana". No, its not the car-version of the 1985 movie Gymkata, that cheesey martial arts film with a Gymnast running around offing people like Jean-Claude Van Damme. Nor is it a new workout routine that attempts to recreate how Ricardo Montalban beefed up his pecs for the Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan.

According to IGN: "Gymkhana can be called a "technical autocross". Just like in a typical "Auto-X" drivers try to race around a series of cones as fast as they can in the shortest amount of time. However, in Gymkhana, the emphasis is on driver skill and car control. Skill and style are just as important - if not more so - than overall time. "

So, just another obscure motorsport, or the next new thing to hit American shores like Drifting? You decide - head on over to IGN and check out the photos and article here: http://cars.ign.com/articles/777/777735p1.html

[MelvinJ]

Remember how Corvettes in the 70's had a "Gymkhana" suspension package available? It was the "Z51" option of its day.

[RedVee8]

Gymkhanas have been around for years and years. Generally a club level piece of motorsport. Emphasises car control and precision over power and speed.

[Martino_z]

Sounds like a Motorkhana. People can get pretty mad with their styles at those things, and the courses can look redeculous sometimes. Heres a link to a quick video from SA of a bloke taking on the Paddy course. Don't think for a second that everyone has to drive a delta s though

http://www.motorkhana-sa.com/Gallery...DeltaPaddy.wmv

[chinamonty]

A gymkarna is a test of car control.It usually involves going through courses markd outwith cones and it can be forward or in reverse or both. It is just something different to racing.

[paul8488]

'Gymkhana', aka 'The opposite of Eddie Griffin behind the wheel of an Enzo'.

[kgratton]

'Gymkhana' is an equestrian event. 'Motorkhana' is a derivation of the gymkhana for cars. It typically involves timed runs through a course set out with 'witches hats' or poles and can be run on dirt or a sealed surface. Some of the courses set out take their names from other types of competition, eg: straight slalom, in which a car must run a zig-zag course much as skiers do.

American Autocross is probably very similar. Autocross in Australia is more like a closed rally section, always on dirt and vehicles compete against the clock rather than other vehicles. The Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS) rules that an autocross straight should be no more than 200 metres long (218 yards).

Link to pics of MG Car Club of Victoria motorkhana at Rob Roy, East of Melbourne:

http://gallery.mgcc.info/2006RobRoyM...na2/index.html

[FStephenMasek]

Here is a link to someone still using that word for his suspension package:

http://www.amx-perience.com/amx-ente...Suspension.htm