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Ladies ... start your engines
by Riazat Butt26/ 5/2005
I DON'T like driving. The thought of getting behind a steering
wheel fills me with dread. My fear and loathing of cars stems back
to a traumatic episode during my teenage years, when my dad was
teaching me how to drive. I won't go into detail but it put me off
driving for life.
It was only when I moved to Manchester that I decided to exorcise
my demons. Lesson after lesson, one instructor after another and
third time lucky I passed my flippin' driving test.
But my ordeal wasn't over. My dad, who taught my siblings how to
drive, wasn't convinced I could handle a car until he had sat with
me.
So I spent a bank holiday weekend shuttling him around town. It
didn't go well and I resolved never to drive again, until I was
strong-armed into taking part in a ladies' night at Daytona
Manchester in Trafford Park.
The idea of having a ladies' night is to give something back to
those go-kart widows who watch from the sidelines while their men
folk tear round the track in souped-up buckets. Take away the
testosterone and have a women-only event so that the fairer sex can
see what all the fuss is about. After all if you can't beat them,
join them.
Around 25 women turned out on a squally Friday night to enjoy the
pleasures of go-kart racing. We had a practice heat - I crashed
into a barrier during my first lap - and then we had heats, a
semi-final and a final.
There are lots of rules and regulations to follow and I'm no good
with either but I worked out what the flags and lights meant:
yellow flashing light - slow down; blue flag - improve your
driving; black and white flag - sort it out because you're being
very naughty. Thankfully, I didn't get a blue or a two-tone flag
during the evening.
A downside to racing is the garb, which is neither flattering nor
fashionable. It is like an adult-sized romper suit and you have to
wear a hairnet. I felt like I should be selling pork pies in Fred
Elliot's shop.
Being of a small stature I needed a booster seat too - stop
laughing at the back - so I could reach the accelerator and brake
pedals.
I was nervous about the first few laps but it's simple to get round
the track without collapsing in an anxious heap or coming
last.
It was all very civilised too - well we're all ladies - and there
was lots of apologising after each heat: "I didn't mean to bump
into you" and "I'm so sorry for crashing into your rear".
For a proper adrenaline rush I blagged a ride on a two-seater kart,
which has a top speed of 60mph, and deafened the driver with my
shrieking, which only made him go faster.
Go-kart racing is exciting and towards the end I was getting narked
by other drivers, a sure sign of my blossoming competitive streak.
I wanted to hate go-karting but I enjoyed myself so much that I'm
going to the next event in June.
It's a Friday night out with a difference, much better than
standing in the wind and rain trying to flag down a cab on
Deansgate after a half-baked night out on the tiles.
And, for the record, I wasn't last on the leader board. That
privilege goes to someone who shall remain nameless.
Ladies-only karting night, Daytona Manchester, June 3.
Introductory price, £25 per person. Call 0845 644 5505 and ask for
Gemma or Alison
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