Gymkhana

Gymkhana is a timed motorsport event where drivers navigate a tight, obstacle-filled course as quickly as possible, emphasizing precise car control, quick reflexes, and memorization over raw speed.

Unlike traditional racing where drivers compete side-by-side on long tracks, gymkhana takes place on compact courses set up in parking lots, driving schools, or small circuits. Drivers tackle the course one at a time, racing against the clock rather than other competitors. The goal is simple: complete the course in the fastest time without making mistakes.

A typical gymkhana course is designed to test a driver's skill rather than their car's power. Courses usually take between 45 seconds to 90 seconds to complete and require drivers to use only first and second gear. This makes gymkhana accessible to beginners since you don't need an expensive race car—many participants compete in their everyday passenger vehicles.

The course itself features various obstacles marked by cones that drivers must navigate around. Common maneuvers include slaloms (weaving between cones), tight 180-degree and 360-degree turns, figure-eight patterns, parking box challenges, and sections where drivers must reverse. Each element demands different skills and techniques.

Success in gymkhana requires mastering several driving techniques. Participants use handbrake turns to quickly rotate the car, drifting and sliding to maintain momentum through corners, and left-foot braking to control weight transfer. Course memorization is critical—drivers must remember the exact sequence of turns and obstacles to achieve competitive times.

Scoring is straightforward: the fastest time wins. However, penalties are added for hitting cones or going off course, so speed must be balanced with precision. This penalty system encourages smooth, controlled driving rather than reckless abandon.

The term "gymkhana" originally comes from equestrian sports, where it described displays of horsemanship and athletic skill. The motorsport version likely emerged after World War II and has since spread worldwide under different names. In Australia and New Zealand, it's called "Motorkhana," while in the United Kingdom and Ireland, similar events are known as "Autotesting."

Gymkhana gained massive popularity through professional rally driver Ken Block's viral video series, which showcased extreme car control and stunts in urban environments. While Block's videos featured highly modified vehicles and Hollywood-style production, they're based on the same fundamental skills used in grassroots gymkhana competitions.

The sport remains popular in Japan, where traditional gymkhana events continue on asphalt parking lots with participants navigating cone courses. The accessible nature of gymkhana—requiring minimal equipment, low costs, and standard vehicles—makes it an ideal entry point for anyone interested in motorsport competition.