The Karting Arena Jurong is said to be designed “by racers, for racers”.
Motorsport fans and adrenaline junkies, give a cheer, for a new go-kart circuit is now in business.
Behind the opening is The Karting Arena (TKA), the same folks behind Singapore’s first electric kart track in Bukit Timah. Thing is, while that venue is great for newbies, young’uns, and casual folk, the small track size and limited kart performance makes it a long way short of ideal for true motorsport and racing enthusiasts.
Which is why TKA has opened a new track for traditional petrol-powered karts — both speed-restricted fun karts as well as full-on pro race 2-stroke karts — over at Jurong, across the road from the SAFTI Military Institute. It’s the same site that was previously occupied by KF1 Arena, and before that, Kartright Speedway.
For racers, and racers-at-heart
The track itself isn’t very long, nor is it very complicated. It’s just 700m and 9 corners in total (compared to KF1 Kranji’s 960m and 17 turns). What it is though, is wide — with 10m being the minimum at any point.
“This circuit’s layout was designed by racers, for racers. The width not only makes the track safer, but it also gives sufficient space for drivers to race cleanly side by side, which improves the racing. It also improves the flow, which is ultimately more satisfying for drivers,” says Paul Lee, TKA’s Director of Operations, and an experienced karting team manager and coach.
Like all of the other go-kart facilities in Singapore, TKA Jurong is equipped with plastic Tecpro crash barriers. These are safer and more flexible than traditional tyre barriers. If you wonder how effective the Tecpro system is, well — it’s even used in Formula 1, in fact.
A different test drive
AutoApp was invited for a preview session at the track for race karters. Our initial verdict? It is indeed a whole lot of fun. Despite the 180-deg nature of most of the turns, the large width makes the track properly flowing, as opposed to the tight, stop-start nature of Singapore’s other pro-level circuit, KF1 Kranji. It’s confidence-inspiring too, with plenty of space to hang the rear end out in the damp, as our exclusive preview video shows.
Other karters we spoke to that day raised another good point. The track’s wide corner radii put extra emphasis on precise throttle control, an important skill that KF1 Kranji doesn’t really allow the development of. Shorter in length TKA Jurong may be, but it certainly isn’t short on challenges to master.
Other facilities at the track include a 2nd-floor open air viewing gallery, air-conditioned lounges for racers and VIPs, private kart storage units, a helmet disinfecting station, and indoor and outdoor spaces for corporate events.
Get your helmets ready!
TKA Jurong has already begun pro karter sessions, and opened to the general public at the end of August. Rental kart rates are priced at $25 per session for youths (9-17 years old), and $35 for adults (18 years and older). The track is located at 511 Upper Jurong Road Singapore 638366; for more information, visit https://www.thekartingarena.com.
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