With its combination of 18 long straight ways, sharp curves and hair-pin turns, the 1025-meter Mariana Seaside Circuit racing circuit is a real come-on for sports enthusiasts who want to give their all to reach the top speed and beat their opponents in the FK-9 karts.
Go kart track manager Jo Miranda said that majority of the racers are Japanese tourists but a lot of local residents are also doing races especially during weekends.
Miranda said that a maximum of five FK-9 go karts are allowed to race in the tracks at one time for 15 minutes. The go karts are released one after the other with an interval of less than a minute.
“The racers do not start at the same time because their speeds and who wins in a particular race will be determined by the computer,” Miranda said.
Immediately after a 15-minute race at the tracks, the racers will be given a sheet of computerized result of how they fared in the race. The time sheet records how many laps they did and the total number of minutes they spent for each lap. The results also show a racer’s fastest and slowest times.
Rain is not a hindrance when you feel you want to race at the go kart tracks. Miranda said they will replace the tires FK-9 rain tires designed to get a better grip on the slippery tracks and racers can wear raincoats if they want to.
Miranda said that on the average, beginners or first timers finish one lap in about a minute and a half.
I broke the record (and Miranda’s heart I guess) by finishing one lap in two minutes and 58 seconds for three reasons. First, I squinted all the way to keep the dust and flying particles from getting into my eyes because I forgot to pull down my helmet, I am still trying to regain my confidence behind the wheel so I went really slow in the curves, and the fear of flipping over or having the go kart turn over 360 degrees kept gnawing at me.
If you go slow, the wheel is very hard to turn but if you keep a fast speed, it’s easier to maneuver.
For the other drivers, it takes real courage to go fast and race it out there but once you get the hang of it, you will find the experience addicting.
Take the challenge and see how you fare especially at Number 4 and 11 at the race track which are the most difficult turns you have to maneuver.
The FK-9 Karts are only for ages 12 years old and above. Children or adults who just want to try the go kart track without racing can use the “blue kart” or leisure kart.
Miranda said that the blue karts are for children 11 years old and below and must be accompanied by parents or adults to go around the circuit track for three laps. The blue karts offer more fun for the less daring as it has more stability and lower speeds than the FK-9 go karts
Do you want to release the daringness in you? Then go racing at the kart tracks for the thrill of it.
A 15-minute go kart race costs $45 for tourists and $20 for local residents. The blue kart is $25 for tourists and$12 per individual for local residents
The go kart circuit tracks opens from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day. You can also explore other activities offered by the Mariana Resort & Spa such as short golf course, kayaking, snorkeling, biking, eco-adventure tours, horseback riding, scuba diving and more. For more information call tel. no. (670) 322-0770, fax (670) 322-0776 or email [email protected].
