Go Karting in JB

If I've never particularly favored Go Karting before, the experience I had at the Go Karting Circuit in JB made sure that this "sport" would never be one of my hobbies. At the suggestion of a friend who was insistent on trying out something new and persuaded by the fact that his and not my car would be used for the trip to the circuit located near Permas Jaya at Plentong, we headed there one morning.

We got lost, but asked for directions at the BHP station in Plentong and managed to find the road and then dirt track leading to the circuit. The dirt trail, which went on for quite a distance, was narrow, rough, bumpy and strewn with stones (I'm so glad it wasn't my car). To my surprise, there were quite a number of Singaporean cars heading to and fro the circuit, most of which were driven by expats.

This is how the counter at the go karting circuit looks like. This is not the place to bring one's loved one unless she/he can accept flies (lots of them), stray dogs, dirt, heat and filth, all away from civilisation. The rates for an ordinary go-kart (you are not allowed on the faster ones unless you have some sort of license/permit) are SGD 35 for 10mins. I am sure that is cheaper than SG rates but it seems pretty pricy to spend that amount of money just to go a few rounds at a limited speed in the blazing sun around a track with a helmet that has been worn many times before on one's head. Of course, one is required to sign an indemnity form and to dorn a cheap sort of shower cap before putting on the helmet. Still, be warned that the sweat-soaked sides of the padded helmet press against one's cheek...talk about major ughhhh.

The picture below is a close up of one of the faster racing carts. Drivers of the karts, per the pics above, are required to don a safety suit (see the guys in blue and red above) before driving off in one of these karts. Note where the jelly can of petrol is. I fail to see why anyone would subject themselves willingly and happily to racing about in one of these "machines" under the blazing hot sun with a can of petrol between their parted legs, especially when one can drive a car at a far higher speed, at greater comfort and without the risk of one's family jewels going up in flames.

As the petrol tanks for the ordinary smaller go karts are located near one's elbow and we had driven all the way there, I was minded to have just one round on the go kart despite the horror of having to put on the smelly sweat-soaked helmet. The pic below shows the smaller ordinary go karts and a glimpse of the circuit. I should mention at this point that the seats of the go-kart are meant for the ordinary-slightly larger person- there was a lady of considerable girth who had to sit out the ride because her butt could not fit in the seat despite her best efforts. Instructions are given one to one in English by the many foreign workers consisting of instructions on how to get in the kart, sit down, stop and accelerate. Very simple all of it. One foot goes on the brake, one on the accelerator.

The Slog Reviews: 6.5/10. Unless one doesn't drive or one drives very carefully usually, one may probably find the thrill in racing around the karts under the blazing hot sun. And one needs to be less particular about hygiene too given the state of the circuit and the helmets. Going around the track 5 rounds in 10 mins got pretty boring although I would say some of the bends are rather sharp. I trod on the accelerator and brake at the same time which resulted in my kart spinning 360 degrees at least 3 separate occasions on the track. An employee (a foreign worker) followed me in another go kart throughout so I guess this circuit is pretty mindful of safety.