Motorkhana

Motorkhana is a beginner-friendly motorsport where drivers navigate their cars through a tight, cone-marked course as quickly as possible, testing their skills in acceleration, braking, and vehicle control at low speeds.

This motorsport is designed to be accessible and affordable, allowing participants to compete using everyday road cars without expensive modifications. Unlike high-speed racing events, motorkhana takes place at speeds rarely exceeding 60 km/h (37 mph), making it one of the safest forms of competitive motorsport. Events can be held in small spaces like parking lots or grass fields, as courses are typically less than 200 meters long.

During a motorkhana event, drivers compete one at a time through a course marked by flags or cones. The course includes challenging elements such as slaloms (weaving between markers), tight turns around flags, and reversing sections. Each individual test usually takes between 15 and 60 seconds to complete, and a full day's competition typically consists of 6 to 12 different tests. Drivers must balance speed with precision, as the goal is to achieve the lowest total time while avoiding penalties.

Penalties are added to a driver's time for mistakes such as hitting course markers or failing to follow the designated route correctly. Cars start and finish in designated "garage" areas, and the competition surface may be sealed bitumen, grass, or dirt, depending on the venue.

One of the key appeals of motorkhana is its inclusivity. Competitors are divided into different classes based on their car's size and type, as well as driver experience levels. This means there are often separate classes for novice drivers, junior participants, and female competitors, allowing multiple people to win trophies at each event. This classification system ensures that someone driving a small hatchback isn't directly competing against someone in a high-performance sports car.

The sport is particularly popular in Australia and New Zealand, where it serves as an excellent entry point for people interested in motorsport. Similar events exist worldwide under different names: in the United Kingdom, these competitions are called Autotest; in the United States, they're known as Autocross or Solo; and in other regions, you might hear them referred to as Autokhana or Gymkhana.

Motorkhana events emphasize car control and spatial awareness rather than outright speed. Drivers often need to perform controlled slides and execute precise maneuvers in tight spaces, developing skills that translate well to other forms of motorsport or simply making them better everyday drivers. The low-cost nature of the sport means that families can participate together, and beginners can learn the fundamentals of competitive driving without significant financial investment or risk.