Sachin Tendulkar will be seen in a new role -- as a competitor in the first leg of the MRF-MAI Formule Mondiale championship (special class), to be held in Chennai on July 5 and 6.

Speaking to reporters in Mumbai on Thursday, after test driving the four-stroke kart he is almost certain to race in, Tendulkar said: "It [the test drive] was a very exciting experience. Earlier, I had driven for a shot for MRF but today it was altogether a different experience, as I was driving on the track."

To a query whether he is planning to take up driving full time, Tendulkar, who seemed to enjoy every minute of the five laps he drove, said it is a fine experience to drive at full speed when there are no obstacles along the course.

"But for me cricket is a serious commitment while karting is just a passion. You tend to get pretty serious while playing cricket, while karting is fun and you can release all the pressure," he said.

MRF General Manager (marketing) Tony Rodrigues later said his company and the Motor Association of India (MAI), are trying to rope in West Indies skipper Brian Lara and Aussie Test team captain Steve Waugh to race with the Indian batting maestro.

"Tendulkar, who is a very keen motor sport enthusiast, wants to race with his fraternity (fellow cricketers) and we are trying to get Lara and Waugh for a special race on July 6," Rodrigues added.

Asked how it feels to be turning 30 on April 24th, Tendulkar replied: "It was a very good 29th year for me. Let me see how my 30th year will go."