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Gymkhana

The racing begins here!



gymkhana training for cars and motorcycles in minsk belarus

What does the autoslalom or the motoslalom mean?

This is one of the most popular and accessible motorsport discipline worldwide. In some countries such as Japan and America this type is also classified as "autocross" (solo!) or "auto slalom" or "car slalom" when it comes to competitions or even included in "automotive all-around" (motocross and moto slalom respectively in Moto Gymkhana). The goal is simple: take turns completing a winding course without making mistakes and no charges, faster than all other rivals.

What is the secret to these races' popularity? It's difficult to explain but it's easy to see once than to read about it a hundred times. And even better try it yourself and take a part.. Gymkhana for cars and bikes are conceptually similar.

The essence of maneuvering competition consists of participants' attempts of racing challenge on a track that consists of figure elements. Sometimes for the sake of spectacle or to save time, two or more identical or mirrored "tracks" are set up, which can be used in parallel for simultaneous pilot runs. Sometimes drivers must run several separate "tracks" within a single competition.

Tracks are often difficult to execute and to remember. They are artificially created and defined by typical elements: turns at acute and obtuse angles, 180- and 360-degree turns, "snakes," "figure eights," "courtyards," and limited special sections — some of which are intended for switching to reverse gear. Special traffic cones and concrete blocks are usually used to mark the boundaries.

What does it take to become a real gymkhana racer and a motorsportsman in general or a race car driver in Belarus and abroad?

This kind of racing has the lowest entry barrier unlike to another motorsport disciplines. If you have no plan to become a professional racer yet or just starting your trials or just enjoy having a good time with like-minded people in a competitive time spending, the list of necessary equipment is short:

  1. car or bike
  2. a lot of fuel or charge
  3. appropriate driving license



Main factors

driver, car | moto, training, support

The pilot


As in any kind of sport the main key to victory is the participant himself: racing pilot. Effective driving requires complete concentration: controlling the car and knowing it's peculiarities and understanding the trajectory features and general attention. All of this occupies maximum mental activity, especially when the adrenaline is pumping. Moreover it's not enough to know track topology and race it quickly — it must be done with no errors and penalties. Accelerating, steering and braking are not the only skills a race car driver has to master. These abilities must be honed and updeted through regular trainings. The gymkhana has it's own specific driving technics but it also depnds on track configurations.

there is a telegram channel about gymkhana (and not only) in Belarus where training sessions, competitions, and similar activities are announcing

The vehicle

(a car or a motorcycle)

As it was mentioned above, basic vehicle doesn't require any special technical preparation for maneuvering competitions unless specifically required by the regulations for the event. A standard, balanced, and properly functioning vehicle is sufficient. A small, lightweight, front-wheel-drive car is often the racer's choice. However, it's important to understand that the factory specifications may not be sufficient to achieve a significant advantage. When modifying the car, special attention should be paid to the suspension, steering, and braking systems, ensuring rigidity while simultaneously reducing weight. A hydraulic parking brake will facilitate the execution of figure maneuvers.

if you are talented to ruin a car by serious damage: the high-quality complex body repair is available


The other factors


Before and after each attempt inspect your car or bike thoroughly. Be asured of it's technical condition. Assemble a support group and like-minded fans. Form your racing team with a staff of assistants (mechanic, electrician, bodywork specialist, manager, promoter), it will help to distribute preparations effectively and devote more attention to training.
After some successful race parties try to find partners, patrons and sponsors. Especially if you plan to build a professional racing career, competing in Russia, Europe, Asia, and the US, an access to a solid facilities, infrastructure and extra parts will contribute to success. It's important for a driver to unwind from technical and organizational details and concentrate during training and competitions.

proper tires are essential for successful results

Classic rules

conditions, requirements, specs, classes

Gymkhana by car (motorkhana, autocross, autotesting)


According to the automobile gymkhana rules and standarts, competing groups are divided depending on types of equipment they compete in:

• stock class (factory defaults)
A1 – front-wheel drive with a front-mounted internal combustion engine of a volume < 1.8 liters
A2 – front-wheel drive with a front-mounted internal combustion engine of a volume > 1.8 liters
B1 – rear-wheel drive with a front- or rear-mounted internal combustion engine of a volume < 2.5 liters
B2 – rear-wheel drive with a front- or rear-mounted internal combustion engine of a volume > 2.5 liters
C1 – all-wheel drive with an internal combustion engine of a volume < 2.5 liters
C2 – all-wheel drive with an internal combustion engine of a volume > 2.5 liters

The estimation coefficient for turbocharged engines is +1.8. However and the following restrictions are applying: engine, suspension and chassis are completely stock; the following can be modified: wheels, differential (with limited slip mechanism), zero resistance air filters, brake pads, shock absorber, springs, clutch disc, and muffler (individual sections).

• tuning class (upgraded modifications)
M1 – front-wheel drive
M2 – rear-wheel drive with a front-mounted internal combustion engine
M3 – rear-wheel drive with a rear-mounted internal combustion engine
M4 – all-wheel drive

You can change only 2 parameters on your choice: change the fuel injection system, replace window glass, body parts, panels, brakes, suspension, exhaust system, add an acceleration system (for example, nitrous oxide), lighten the body / add a safety cage.

in street gymkhana all participants compete in one class – U (unlimited) as a rule
there are pno restrictions on the vehicle in such cases ractically but reliability and safety requirements that applied for such races in open areas are much rigorous


Gymkhana by bike (moto gymkhana, bike gymkhana)


Basic rules: 2 wheels, license plate, street tires with unworn tread, exhaust volume limit of 100 dB, no sharp shapes on protruding parts (steering wheel, levers, pedals, etc.).

Any adjustments are allowed, including replacement of mechanical elements, lightening, etc.

There are no restrictions on motorcycles engine placement for gymkhana acting. Nor are there strict distinctions between motorcycle types (glide, cruiser, tourist, street, enduro, sport, super-sport, scooter).

Protective motorcycle equipment is mandatory for the rider: helmet, gloves, elbow, knee and back protection.


Competitions organizers


The official "inventor" of gymkhana as a sporting discipline is considered to be the Japanese branch of the International Automobile Federation (Federation Internationale de l'Automobile) – JAF. Belarusian Automobile Federation (BAF) acts as the FIA's representative in the Republic of Belarus; cooperation is underway with the motorsports branch of DOSAAF.

There are several traditional organizers of gymkhana competitions in Belarus. The Belarusian National Championship is held annually, it consists of several stages in different cities across the regions. Some results of such competitions can be ranked in the global ladder of racing drivers. And there are also tables of records for regular configurations in some places for the entire period.

In fact private regulations are prepared separately for each event, but there are also some standards that they are tried to adhere to.

Car and bike motorsports are expensive. Many vehicle owners' clubs and some companies throw private and public training sessions to prepare amateurs and sport team members effectively. Regular test drives assess driving skills and allow participants tune their cars and motorcycles for pre-season rides before competitions.


Some facts about gymkhana


  • AUTOSLALOM (GYMKHANA) имеет ряд ассоциативных народных названий: фигурное маневрирование, спортивное маневрирование, фишки, гаражи и другие. Многие часто путают со «скоростным маневрированием» (так называемым TIME ATTACK или TIME TRIAL или SPRINT) – это совершенно другая дисциплина.

  • Несмотря на схожие условия победы, gymkhana – полная идеологическая противоположность time attack | time trial | sprint. Траектории включают в себя множество «затычных» мест, средняя скорость редко превышает 40 км/ч, длинные размашистые повороты и прямые участки встречаются крайне редко. Конфигурация практически никогда не закольцовывается, хотя на практике бывают исключения.

  • Маневровые конфигурации небольшие, обычно проходятся на первой-второй передаче (и задней, если требуется по заданию). В теории, создатели стараются проектировать их под регламентированное время прохождения – в среднем от одной минуты до полутора. На практике же, бывают конфигурации как до 30 секунд, так и более 2 минут, особенно это касается уличной джимханы (street gymkhana).

  • Избежать множества ошибок в техниках вождения помогут хорошие практические навыки дрифтовой школы (drift racing).

  • И обратный эффект: маневрирование развивает базовые навыки, полезные в иных дисциплинах – дрифтинг (drifting), ралли (rally sprint), кольцевые гонки (time attack).

Street gymkhana

city grid (urban style racing)

Street style slalom

Gymkhana in a city – The most spectacular style. It is characterized by distinctive to other motorsports venues: tracks are established directly on city sites and among closed or abandoned industrial enterprises – factories, construction yards, etc.

The configuration is set up taking into account natural city landscape; barrels, tires, containers, boxes, overturned cars and other attributes of forsaken urban streets atmosphere are used to mark the elements. The outer boundary is usually fenced with curbs, heavy blocks, and barriers.

One of the characteristics of such events: increased difficulty and danger of the course – "street" does not forgive mistakes even for renowned racers, because the topology does not initially provide the possibility to secure the space adequately for such use. However, there are proven ways to mitigate potential risks.

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CONTINUE

Gymkhana-rally

on variable coverage surfaces

Sliding gymkhana

Rally-style slalom is called due to the driving techniques used as primary control abilities - its aggravated by the factor of reduced friction coefficient on the surface where it can be uneven and unstable.

However, the rules and principles remain the same: it is the slalom precisely in a small location with a limited perimeter and the task has a strict order of elements executing. Gymkhana rally should not be confused with the classic motorsport discipline "rally," which has completely different rules and requirements.

By the way, entry threshold to begin is generally less stringent: due to the low G-forces, almost any daily car without special modofications is suitable.

gymkhana for bikers minsk belarus



UNDERSTOOD

Practical trainings

for amateurs and professionals

Possibilities


Everything becomes much easier if you don't plan to go in for professional motorsports but consider active vehicle control exercises as a hobby for driving skills improving and some extent of entertainment. There are a lot of amateur training series and championships where the general requirements are rather casual.

Involvement occurs gradually as your abilities are improved and the factory capabilities of a particular vehicle. It allows to test your skills without significant investment and to determine if you really want to continue get this abilities. The goal is achieved more quickly and clearly under the right conditions.

A modern vehicle in perfect working state is already prepared for participation in such activities. And if everything is done correctly, the mastering the elements of figure maneuvering will go avoiding unnecessary overloads; increased depreciation is not required as for "counter-accident driving."

Meaning senses


The primary and fundamental goal of such training is to get a vibe of your car or motorcycle and feel it's control masterly, study its kinematics and improve control. Most importantly it helps avoid unpleasant situations by understanding the limits of its current capabilities without resorting to extreme techniques the vast majority of which are in principle inapplicable on public roads for safety reasons and legal reasons. It means that all of that could be practiced in much more calm conditions.

With reasonable regular training in addition to the conscious test drives needed to understand the vehicle's physics and practice skills, a pleasant bonus is the absence of exorbitant fees, formal procedures, licensing and vehicle upgrades to fit formal additional requirements — since there are none. Common sense is the priority.

And then as you gain more experience and improve your racing skills to a level that exceeds your car's technical specifications you can move on mastering driver's techniques and consider purchasing or building a specialized car or motorcycle for competitions.



Motorsports career

How to participate racing events and test drives in Minsk this season in Belarus? Stay updated on gymkhana club and related communities.

What it the best way to start getting your racing achievements in the Republic of Belarus? Everyone has their own paths. Some are born into racing, while others come from the streets, legitimizing their passion step-by-step. You can register in a global social network of like-minded people and participate in real events, meet new enthusiasts, comunicate and explore! If you're already listed in a private global racing ladder, just log in and choose a race or party that suits your taste:


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