SHILLONG, April 30: It was race day, finally. Anticipation turned into thrill and the mood was set to a T as the much-anticipated and ‘India’s first’ wooden kart race (locally Kali Bol Baring) took off at Evergreen Route, Kharang village in East Khasi Hills, on Saturday.
The venue was filled with quirky and unique wooden karts designed to stand apart, and spectators ensured they cheered the loudest for the participants as they enjoyed every bit of the extravaganza.
The event, Khasi Hills Challenge 1.0 organised by Kharang Sports & Social Welfare Club, kicked off with a cycle ride early Saturday morning with the participation of 19 cyclists.
The bol baring cart is a type of transport that is used by the tribals in rural areas of Meghalaya for carrying water and other essential goods.
Unique designs of the Go Karts would speak volumes about how locals had put everything in the game including their time and skill.
Some of the rides even donned a four-wheel truck look with number plates to take aesthetics game a notch higher.
All this was not in vain; participants would be awarded cash price for their works of art which was added bonus for them.
Sports Minister Banteidor Lyngdoh had flagged off the race.
Every cart was allowed to have two participants onboard — one to ride the cart and the other to push it, both roles were however interchangeable.
The cheering of spectators as carts passed them played a big role to boost the morale of the participants.
The cash price for the first position in the cart race was Rs 20,000, while second and third positions would receive Rs 10,000 and Rs 5,000 respectively.