Kart racing has often been regarded - only in some circles, mind you - as slot-car racing on steroids and not the real deal when it comes to motor racing.
I beg to differ. I'll reiterate, though, I'm not talking about indoor kart racing that is the preserve of stag weekends or a blat around a concrete track in a heavily restricted glorified dodgem car powered by a generator.
I mean proper outdoor racing in a kart powered by a water-cooled, hi-tech 125cc engine developing about 28hp, which with the right gearing is capable of propelling a grown man at up to 170km/h.
As the motorsport correspondent for the New Zealand Herald, I have been fortunate enough to have been a passenger in various types of race cars and flung around many a race track by those who know what they're doing.
I have on occasion been able to drive the odd V8 and open-wheeler, but not in anger. Having raced motorcycles many years ago, I'm no stranger to competition racing but have never tasted four-wheel competition.
At my age, 53, the idea of getting into car racing has its attraction but the costs, transport and all the ancillary guff is in the too-hard basket.
However, kart racing done properly appealed as an ideal way to get a taste and Aaron Cunningham (part of the motor racing family that includes Mitch and Wade) came to the party.
Along with MG Tyres, Cunningham has prepared a kart to go racing and the first gig is this weekend, at round one of the Three Way series at the Mount Wellington Kart Club.
My first practice last weekend soon opened my eyes to the fact these are not toys and they barrel along at a mighty clip - or so I thought until I got passed by the same bloke every fourth lap. Apparently I was driving like a plonker.
I soon found out that if the throttle was mashed all the way, the thing took off like a scalded cat on steroids and did indeed go around the corner, although I think I had my eyes closed half the time.
I tell you what, you've got to keep your wits about you in these little rocket ships. They're not playthings, and, if you're not concentrating all the time, the buggers will bite your butt cheeks.
By the third time out, and after a good talking to about not worrying about spinning or damaging the kart, I decided to go for it - only to spin out, lose control in various corners, launch over the ripple strips on to the grass and slide around like a headless chook on an ice-skating rink.
The feedback was that it was good to see that I had started to give it some welly, but I still needed to brake later and get on the gas earlier. Really? I was having enough trouble keeping my eyeballs in their sockets.
With no suspension, man-handling a kart around a circuit is akin to a ball bearing inside a paint tin on one of those paint-shaker machines.
By this stage, my shoulders, arms, forearms and hands had decided to have a meltdown so I stopped.
Jeez, it's hard work for someone who now spends most of his time driving a keyboard.
On a positive note, though, I got a lot of sage advice from Aaron and, believe it or not, his brother, Wade, the former world karting champion who was back in New Zealand on a flying visit after racing in Texas in the IndyCar series.
One piece of advice stuck in my mind: before trying to brake really late into a corner, brake at your normal mark but not as hard and carry more into the corner. I'll be giving that idea a go during practice today.
So far, despite the aches and pains and lack of ability, karting does appeal as an option for getting involved in motor racing and I'll report back after the first race.
Before you can race, or in many cases practise on an affiliated club track, you must be a financial member of the club. Most clubs offer various classes of membership such as single racing, family, junior and social.
Membership rates for each type vary, as do rates from club to club.
Membership is usually on an annual basis and entitles you to use the club's facilities, receive newsletters and attend meetings. There are 20 affiliated clubs in New Zealand and a full list of clubs with contact details can be found at www.kartsport.org.nz.
To go racing, you must get hold of a competition licence, of which there are two types.
A one-day licence is available only at club days at permanent sprint tracks for any driver who does not hold a current KartSport New Zealand full licence.
Only three one-day licences may be issued per person per year, and they are purchased directly from the promoting club.
The one-day licence allows a new competitor to compete for a day at a club without having to obtain a full KartSport NZ competition licence.
For those with a good case of the racing bug, you'll need a full KartSport NZ licence available from the licence secretary via the above website.
For an applicant aged under 18, a birth certificate is also required.
The completed application forms, proof of club membership and licence fee must be sent to the licence secretary, who will process the application and issue the licence.
Kartography: Tested on the track
You must be a member of a kart club before you can race, or in many cases practise, on an affiliated track. Photo / Duncan Brown
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