Gymkhanas, as they were originally presented for cars starting after
WWII were a combination of problems, like a cloverleaf, and various cone set
ups. There were no lines, except maybe an arrow to point you to the next
problem. Very similar to the original equestrian version.
They were a test of memory, 'which problem next?' with no clues. Usually
the problems were set away from the other problems so you could find them.
:) Because they were more a test of real vehicle agility, the old Crosley
Hotshot was the dominant car. Don't know, never saw one, and also brought
about a need for a handbrake U-turn. Other elements were added, like having
a navigator to get out of the car and do something weird. Sort of a
rally-type event.
When lines were brought to link the problems, and smoothing them out,
attendance grew by leaps and bounds. Thus the growth of autocross, and near
death of the automotive gymkhana. Sort of voting with your car.
--Pat K
----------
>From: Ms Katie Kelly <aceontour@yahoo.com>
>To: ba-autox@autox.team.net
>Subject: FW: gymkhana: M-W's Word of the Day
>Date: Wed, Oct 9, 2002, 9:27 AM
>
> Hey, we're in the dictionary!
>
> Interesting history, too. I never knew this!
>
> Katie K.
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: word@M-W.COM [mailto:word@M-W.COM]
>> Sent: Tuesday, October 08, 2002 2:00 AM
>> To: MW-WOD@LISTSERV.WEBSTER.M-W.COM
>> Subject: gymkhana: M-W's Word of the Day
>> The Word of the Day for October 9 is:
>>
>> gymkhana \jim-KAH-nuh or jim-KAN-uh\ (noun)
>> : a meet featuring sports contests; especially
>> : a contest
>> of automobile-driving skills
>>
>> Example sentence:
>> Steven easily won the gymkhana, steering his
>> car through
>> the tricky course in record time without so much as
>> brushing a
>> single cone.
>>
>> Did you know?
>> Both the word "gymhkhana" and the event it
>> describes
>> originated in 19th-century India. The word is
>> probably an
>> alteration of the Hindi "gedkhana," which describes
>> a ball-
>> playing area similar to a racket ball court. Early
>> gymkhanas
>> were displays of athletics and equestrian skill, but
>> 20th-
>> century varieties usually test car handling. They
>> are often
>> held in parking lots, and contestants race over
>> tight, twisting
>> courses marked with cones or pylons.
>> ----------------
>> Brought to you by Merriam-Webster, Inc.
>> http://www.Merriam-Webster.com
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