Coimbatore, May 5 : Indian Go Kart drivers drew cheers from the home crowd as they won the Asia Challenge crown in Coimbatore on Sunday.

In the second leg of Asia Karting Challenge 2008, over 100 Karting drivers from Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Singapore, and India took part.

Karters went through their paces, overcoming difficult conditions and sweltering heat at the Kari Memorial Sports Track.

Race was conducted in five categories for seniors and juniors, where specially Akhil Khushlani and Parath Ghorpade stole the show.

"It's a great moment for me as I won in both categories, - Rotax Junior, the Indian Challenge junior and the Asia Challenge. I am feeling great to win this. It was quite a tough race. I hope this continues throughout the season," said Ghorpade.

Khushlani too made a solid start to pip well-known driver, Mikko Nassi of Finland, who had won the third place in the senior category in the first leg that was held in Malaysia last month.

The mini cars used in Go Karting are fitted with very high-speed engines that can go up to a top speed of 140 to 150 kilometers.

Petrol driven, these cars have no gears and do not require any prior driving experience.

One only needs enough courage to accelerate and burn the tyre. The tracks are designed on formula racing cars' technique to get the feel of skidding wheels on every sharp turns and curves.

Motor racing sports in India is a new phenomena and the country lacks infrastructure for formula races for speedsters to hit racing tracks. (ANI)