GYMKHANA

originally in 19th-century India and England, a display of athletics and equestrian events; in the 20th century, also a form of automobile sport in which a series of events is planned to test driving skill and demonstrate accurate car handling. Auto gymkhanas usually are held on parking lots on which a series of short but intricate courses are laid out. A typical event is a race over a tight, twisting course marked out by pylons or similar devices; competing drivers complete the course one at a time and are timed to 1/100 second and penalized for errors, such as brushing a pylon or going off course. Other events may include driving in reverse, 180 and 360 turns, parking tests, and braking tests.