By DYAN CASTILLEJO-GARCIA

We got the gang together to go karting.

Combine fun friends, fast karts and a fabulous track, and you’ve got a guaranteed fantastic time.

Wait is over.

Sports Unlimited is now.

This is the first indoor karting track in the Philippines so rain or shine, karting is on.

The course is very interesting with lots of turns. Straights long enough to go fast. It also had tunnels, bridges, inclines and descents.

The track can be configured in six different ways so each time you go it can be a different challenge.

The first couple of rounds we had to feel our way through the track, getting familiar with the sharp turns, where we could accelerate and where we could step on the breaks. There is also a provision for an outdoor track.

Off course today did have a bit of an outdoor stretch.

As we got more confident our times got better and the overtaking became a lot more fun although the marshals are very strict to ensure safety.

When someone stalls or gets stuck everybody is signaled to stop. And if you don’t let someone behind you pass who is visibly faster than you they immediately flag you to lat him through.

From Europe, a team of Filipino, American and French seasoned go-kart racers bring into the Philippines this first comprehensive indoor and outdoor racing track that’s designed to raise the level of competition, spanning a space of 10,000 square meters.

This outstanding indoor and outdoor racing track is designed to create excitement.

How fab is this track! Check this out. You get to go up, down, over, under, inside and outside. All in one lap.

This track is 10,000 square meters of more thrill. And less danger.

After our briefing before we raced, we did practice our laps to familiarize ourselves with the track course.

Take it easy you all. It’s practice still.

I guess I know why you get on this track you want to go all out. Right away.

This world-class circuit here at City Karting is engineered for the ultimate experience of adrenaline-pumping kart racing.

There’s one thing about the ladies in the gang. Karel, Joey and Mylene. They may be the ladies but when it comes to karting they will not hesitate to “make a pass at you.”

The guys in the gang Paolo, Ian, Ralph, Koi and Ariel are “true gentlemen” off the track but when they’re on the track, every “gentle” bone in their bodies disappear.

And we’re off.

Marc is like a “madman” when behind the wheel of any vehicle that can go fast.

So we all expected him to be the guy to catch.

I did not do well at all in the practice rounds. I had the slowest lap time. That’s why I was last in the starting grid. 10th place.

So when the race started I knew I had my work cut out for me. A lot of catching up to do.

Oh. So this is the way it’s going to be. No backing off to give anyone any room to move. This means one thing: Lots of spinning karts.

Here’s a recap of who’s in my team and who’s in Marc’s team: Starting with my team, I’ve got Ian King and Joey Mead.

Ian is a new friend who’s never been on Sports Unlimited. Joey is an old friend but oddly enough she’s never been on the show either. We’re glad we got them to come on together.

Paolo Paraiso everybody knows is a regular guest on Sports Unlimited although since Mylene gave birth a year ago to their son Thomas, this is the first time Paolo has guested.

My last teammate is Koi who is my childhood friend. I know him as Koi Rivera but all you radio listeners out there know him as the popular radio personality “BB Fred" on 99.5 RT.

On Marc’s team he has Mylene Dizon who obviously despite motherhood has not slowed down one bit. She’s still as energetic as ever.

Karel Marquez not many people know is my niece. She is the daughter of my first cousin Pinky Marquez. That means Karel is also a Castillejo. Which explains why she is very competitive when it comes to sports. Karel brought along her commercial model friend Raffy Sunico who seemed shy at first but it didn’t take long for him to warm up to the gang.

Ariel Abriam is a friend of Koi who is a retired Navy man. He is an expert you can say in maneuvering massive Navy ships. Let’s see if he can do the same with his kart.

After a couple of laps under our belts we were starting to feel more comfortable behind the wheel which meant one thing: we were going a lot faster at this point.

The way all of us were passing and bumping each other you would think we were competing for a big trophy. And a fat pay check.

The marshalls sure had their hands full with our gang racing. They constantly made sure the thrills and spills were very safe for all of us.

My team wins! Well done, Ian, Joey, Paolo and Koi.

It’s hard to take defeat and Marc’s team had a number of protests but in the end, it was the better team that won.

Better luck next time you all.

After the team race was over, it was time for the individual race to determine the overall individual champion.

The four drivers with the fastest times in the team race qualified Marc, Mylene, Ian, and myself.

In this individual race I had a better starting grid position: second. Right behind Marc.

Now I have a fighting chance to finish ahead of him.

Mylene and Ian are good drivers too. So this is going to be a tough race to win.

And we’re off.

This is for all the marbles. I did it. I crossed the finish line first.

Thanks to City Karting, a group of friends have another active, fun and thrilling hang out place in the city.

We all had an outstanding time and it won’t be long before we come back.

City Karting gets our Sports Unlimited green light. G check it out.