Yesterday was one learning experience. Witnessed first hand race engine/car set up, finally relating to the literature i picked up from F1 sites. Driving some 15 kms away from the city with the promoter of the potential F3 race track and 1300 cc powered race cars was in itself a experience. We yapped continuously on the tech gap between Indian and Europe racing.

Asked him why he adopted a conventional steel chasis instead of carbon composites, only to get a bemused stare in return. "Will you cough up the cost. Composite carbon tech has to be bought, and it does not come cheap" was the answer that followed. And mind you this guy has sunk in a few crore rupees into his racing initiative already.

Back to racing cars, the promoter himself the architect, engine tuner and dynamist of the car, got to work on the set up. It turned out to be the planned final run before pack up for an East Indian street race. However each car despite roaring its potential had its teethers as well.

Some, presented improved lap times each run only to end up spitting out water at the end, the reason, i learnt later, over heating. Others droned their way around romping home late by more than three seconds compared to the blazing toppers.

Mechanics and the promoter himself got down to basics and provisionally concluded on means to clean up the cars before pack up the next day.

Earlier got to see the tool room and car assembly area, though a far cry from Formula 1's swank workshops, this too was impressive, with its own engine and chasis dynos.