Scores of traffic cones, red-white taped markers and demarcated zones; the typical signs of a driving test of sorts. Insert Singapore Cruise Centre into the equation; throw in a big, empty and spacious car park for that matter and what do you have; the next installment of Lifestyle Motorsports’ Grassroots Autotest!


Being the third and final installment for the year, things changed slightly in this instance of the highly-anticipated grassroots Autotest at Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, courtesy of Singapore Cruise Centre. The point of the gymkhana itself was simple; to school the finer points of gymkhana driving; effectively utilising weight transfer, racing lines, launching techniques, hands-on-steering placement and manoeuvring techniques around chicanes and slaloms.



The merits of the Autotest are immense, helping the drivers involved to stay on track, while shaping them up for any unexpected occurrences on the public roads. The 16th of November was the day of reckoning for the different categories; two courses, one orientated for autocross, while the other for the more seasoned veterans; gymkhana style. The difference in difficulty was pretty obvious, with more handbrake turns and complex lines for the professionals.



To keep matters challenging for both classes, the course layouts were only handed to participants on the day itself, as they walked through the large car park, trying to memorise the course and layout in the mind. Safety was also an integral part of driving fast and hard, hence safety issues were addressed once again on the very morning of the briefing for the drivers.



The track was laid out in a way where two participating drivers ran in timed runs simultaneously. Starting facing away from each other, they were to make an initial mad sprint for a far obstacle, circumvent it, swing through gracefully through another set of obstacles while keeping up the element of speed and skillful manoeuvres to finish the timed run cleanly, stopping right on the dot at the finishing line without over-braking or overshooting.



Fielding vehicles of various specifications and layouts, the likes of Japanese makes and continental ones were amongst the many vehicles sitting in dry dock in the morning, as a briefing was conducted for all participants, reiterating the rules and regulations and what should be adhered to whilst on tarmac. To add to the difficulty and realism of a gymkhana, the course was only revealed to participants on the very morning, exercising both muscle and memory power on part of the participants.



The walk through was conducted with the help of DriveRite, a team of instructors who have extensive experience in Defensive and Advanced Driving techniques. Supporting sponsors had their booths laden with a plethora of goodies; from suspension systems to chassis rigidity reinforcements, engine care and premium lubricants were all available at the event, as race queens strutted their stuff to further spice up the show.



As with previous Grassroots Autotest days, un-timed practise runs were allowed between drivers as they got first dibs at the course. It was no easy task, as mistakes were made through the first session; all part of memorising the course. With the practise rounds over, it was time to begin the knock-out rounds, as drivers took to the stages to show their mettle and worth, navigating with much concentration through the various man-made obstacles.



As the afternoon whittled away, the rain clouds took over and scattered water all over the course, making it a tad slippery for the participants, adding the element of simulating wet road conditions as participants continued to skilfully navigate their way through the obstacles. Alas, that was not to last though, as the event was called off at the very last possible minute, after careful deliberation amongst the organisers that it was too dangerous to carry on, due to the adverse course and weather conditions that might put the participants in harm’s way.



With another event down in the books, the Lifestyle Motorsports guys are already looking forward to 2015 and a host of fun-filled activities for the Singaporean automotive grassroots community!