India’s Hottest Female Racers

Got a need for speed? Only follow F1 for the pretty girls? What if we said we’ve combined those two together… FHM talks to India’s leading female racers on cars, racing and more…

Sneha Sharma, only Formula 4 racer in India

This 23 year old juggles between her day job of being a pilot and her passion of driving fast cars.

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Did you always aspire to become a professional racer?

I used to drive around the local track in Powai back in 2007. That’s where I was approached by the Rio Racing team, where they asked me to race for them. That was the beginning of my racing journey.

Which sports car do you like between the Audi R8 and the Mercedes E63 AMG?

Though the R8 is peculiarly known for its sporty and edgy looks, I prefer the E63 AMG, which delivers the power of a racing car and has the looks of an elegant sedan.

Which track do you prefer — the BIC or the Irungattukottai race?

I like the BIC in comparison to the Irungattukottai track as it’s laid out in a much nicer way. It’s a long track, thus leading to very few chances of making errors, as compared to the shorted and cramped Irungattukottai track.

As a girl, do you feel your male counterparts resent you?

Absolutely. When you are on the track, things are still easier as everyone is competing to win. But the moment you take off the helmet, one feels the envious and grief stricken emotions from everywhere.

There are racers who make sexist comments, but there isn’t much you can do about that. The officials are usually supportive, but unless and until the incident is captured on camera, there isn’t much one can do. Also, since I am becoming extremely competitive I can feel the grief is becoming increasingly evident.

What are your thoughts about the Indian GP being put on hold for next year?

The Indian GP is a matter a pride for us Indians, as it shifts the world’s attention to us. The two editions that have been held so far, have been highly appreciated and were able to get recognition from the western world too. Waving off the edition just throws bad light on the country’s ill managed political strata and other

Discrepencies in the government’s prowess to handle such vital events. It’s nothing less than a matter of shame for us.

Do you feel proud of what Force India team are doing in this sport?

Force India has definitely raised the bar for Indians in this sport. Racing enthusiasts in the country have a name to look out for in the sport now. As of now, the unit looks like a business oriented outfit.

However, including an Indian name would change things drastically.

India has just produced 3 stellar names in the world of racing. What do you think is keeping us at bay?

If you look at the roots of the country, we are still a developing nation. And to bring out avid racers, we need to have the right kind of infrastructure and academies. Also, there are no professional agents who can bridge the gap between the talent and the sponsors.

Accidents — to what extent do they affect you?

They hardly affect me. I once raced in a driving weekend with a broken rib and managed to finish 4th in the series. Since then, I take accidents as an event that strengthens my fighting spirit further.

What do you do before you go on track?

I always do a self analysis before and after a race. This makes me work harder on my strengths and helps me take note of my weaknesses. I have gained a lot from these analysis.

What is the most difficult part of racing?

Getting sponsors is the biggest hurdle for an aspiring racer. A lot of enthusiasts drop their passion midway as the only way to suffice the dream of pursuing this expensive sport is to have a solid monetary backing or a sponsor — finding both is a huge task. I thank my sponsors, Harsha Toyota, as with their support I have been able to pursue my dream.

Alisha Abdullah, India’s avid female super bike racer

Fitness is as important to this 23 year old as crooning to Pitbull songs.

How did racing come to you?

My father was into racing and since childhood, I was driven by speed. Hence, the gradual progression and liking towards racing came to me.

Which is your favourite car and why?

Though there are many good speedy cars out there, but the best out of the lot has to be an Audi R8, V10. The sleek looks and the power of the V10 engine have made it my dream car.

Which is your favourite track and why?

It has to be Suzuka, since it’s one of the most technical tracks to drive on. Also, since the track has nicely built corners and chicanes, it becomes a very competitive racetrack too.

How hard is it to make a place for yourself in the male dominated racing circuit?

The racing circuit is no doubt a male dominated area, but I’ve been used to it from a very young age. I’ve been groomed and trained to sustain and give neck-to-neck competition to every guy on the racing track. As soon as I enter the circuit, I do not consider myself as the one who is going to lose. It’s like on the track, I am one of the guys.

Do you think Indian Grand Prix is hosted, managed and flagged off as per international standards or do you think it could have been better?

I believe it is one of the most

Well organised series of events that India has ever witnessed.

The coming together of the world’s best racers and the teams showing confidence in the Indian edition of Grand Prix means there is an acceptance and appreciation for the event on a worldwide platform. Coupled with the qualified and trained race officials and management that ensures the smooth funcitioning of the event, it only speaks volumes of how India is well placed to host such significant events.

What is the most difficult part of racing?

I think the most crucial part of being a racer is your luck. You could very well be the number one racer, but it eventually boils down to your luck. As at the end of the day, it’s a machine that can go out of control right before the chequered flag goes down.

Do you think the Force India F1 team is bringing pride to our country?

I personally don’t think so.

Especially as they don’t have any Indian racer in their squad.

However, they seem to be doing pretty well as a team, which is indeed a good thing for them.

Why hasn’t India produced racing mavericks who have dominated the circuits?

I guess the government and the society is to be blamed for that. Motor racing has never been given importance, especially because we take pride in being a cricket induced social order.

Does the idea of falling off your bike or colliding with another racer discourage you from pursuing your dream of driving?

No... never… It’s fun to have a couple of falls off the bikes. However, I know when I’m having a bad day, or when luck is not on my side and stop myself from pushing myself to the maximum limit. But then, nothing goes waste and it does teach you a lesson, even if it is in a painful way.

What do you do when you’re not racing?

I love training at the gym. In fact, I’m a gym freak, so during off-season, I’m all set to get my four pack abs.

Are Narain Karthikeyan and Karun Chandok the best racers in the country? Or do you think its the media limelight that’s bought them this fame?

Both these racers have achieved a lot at a very young age. And because of their talents they have managed to hit the Formula 1 circuits too. But the media definitely needs to shift their focus on other talented and worthy upcoming talents in the country.

Abha Mankar, Toyota EMR racer

How did you come to realise your passion for racing?

One day when we were in Mumbai to drop a friend off at the airport, my father saw an ad in the paper regarding a local karting event. As he was an avid fan of motorsports, he took me there with him. I fortunately took a liking to it and participated in the race, where I finished third. My career started this way and the next year itself, I was racing in the National MRF Championship.

What do you prefer — a sports car or a sedan?

To be very honest, I do not have one particular favourite car. As long as it’s carrying enough power under its hood, I like it.

Why is BIC your favourite track?

Of all the tracks that I have driven on, I love the Buddh Circuit the most. It is a highly technical and beautifully designed track with good width, and you can carry a lot of speed through the corners.

You are amongst the very few female racers out there in the circuit. What is your take on the same?

It is just as hard for women as any other male trying to make a place for himself.

Motorsports is male dominated, but I believe gender does not matter. If you are good at racing, you will succeed, regardless of whether you are a girl or a boy.

What are your views about the Indian GP not being held in 2014?

Indian Grand Prix is one of those rare events where evertything is spot on — exactly as per the international standards, in my opinion. And to see it not being held in the coming year is quite disheartening.

What is the most difficult part of racing?

It all comes in a package, but if I had to pick something, I would say managing the funds to race is the most difficult part… It’s an expensive affair!

Do you think the Force India F1 team is bringing pride to our country?

Yes. Force India has definitely made India proud and I’m glad Dr. Mallya took this initiative, as it has made people aware of the sport in a big way.

India doesn’t seem so enthusiastic about motorsports… What are your thoughts on this?

One reason I can think of is that India is obsessed with only sports like cricket and thus, racing has gained no popularity. Because of this, there is lack of sponsorship as there isn’t enough publicity, which is very important for those who want to be a part of this sport.

Another reason is that there are not enough tracks here or enough competitive series for drivers to actually learn substantially. It is like the chicken and egg story, as invariably, there are not many tracks due to the lack of racers.

You must have met with accidents off and on the track. Have they ever deterred you from pursuing your dream of driving?

This 19 year old racer is an avid dubstep lover and loves trying out new cuisines.

Touchwood, I have never met with an accident off-track but when it comes to my on-track accidents, I met with a very gruesome one back in 2009 where I broke my nose and had to undergo plastic surgery. There’ve been other incidents too, but none of them have deterred me from racing, and they never will.

What do you do when you’re not racing?

Spending time with the family seems like the legit thing to do apart from my day job. I am a foodie, so I often try out new places to eat. Besides that I like reading books and swimming.

What would you have done had you not been a racer?

I cannot imagine doing anything else apart from racing. Everything else just seems so boring!

Sarika Sehrawat, national rally champion

How did you start racing?

Maybe it was my craze for the adrenaline rush that attracted me towards cars. I once read an advertisement invitation for a 2 day car off-roading event, so I filled my participation form and was all set to go. From then on, there was no looking back.

If given a chance, which racing car would you buy?

It has to be the Nissan GTR because of the revved up 3.7 litre twin turbo engine it roars with.

What sets the BIC apart from other racing tracks in India?

I have pushed the pedal on tracks in Chennai, Coimbatore, Bengaluru and a couple of karting tracks in Bangkok, but the best has to be the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida. What sets this track apart is the that during the 5 km stretch, a driver gets ample overtaking opportunities thanks to lots of chicanes and wide corners.

How do you feel about being associated with this sport in our country?

I’ve spent 13 years in motorsports. My tryst with motorsports started with an amateur off-roading experience to eventually becoming a F1 expert for a TV channel. Though the sport is immensely male dominated, I have managed to carve a niche for myself, minus the initial struggling days.

What is the most difficult part of racing?

Having the right mental and physical balance are the most imperative shades of being a racer.

The driver needs to be focussed towards the track and has to have a high endurance level, as your mental peace can affect the outcome of the race. How a driver reciprocates to pre-race and post-race pressure eventually leads to his growth on the race track.

What do you think about the Indian GP — is it up to scratch? How does it fare with say Monaco?

I’ve attended both editions of the Indian GP and both of them have been stellar events. Yes, there have been certain glitches in the first edition, but that was expected as we had just forayed into this new sport. The event is definitely at par, if not better, than international events, though the government needs to show more support in promoting this sport.

Strictly speaking — is Force India really an Indian team? Considering there isn’t an Indian in the ‘pit?

The Force India F1 team is doing a fantastic job for our country. They have put the country’s name in one of the most expensive sports in the world, and that means heaps for motor enthusiasts like us.

India hasn’t produced racing mavericks, barring a few. What are your thoughts on the same?

There are a couple of reasons for this — lack of training facilities, lack of government support and support of family. Motorsports are considered to be expensive and the lack of sponsors deters people from taking up the sport professionally. Also, the racing tracks are scattered in the southern part of the country, which further discourages motor enthusiasts hailing from other parts of India.

Which has been your worst on-track experience?

In one of the rallies, my car flipped upside down which left me with 22 stiches and a fractured hand. I recovered in a span of 4 months and was up and driving in the Himalayan Car Rally, where I finished amongst the top ten. Accidents are an inevitable part of racing, but they have never deterred me from living my dream.

Do you think Narain Karthikeyan, the only Indian F1 racer, under-delivers?

Narain, undoubtedly, is one of the best drivers India has ever seen. He has managed to make India proud at a range of events from A1 grand prix to Auto GP and F1. But despite the accolades, lack of confidence in your car coupled with an appalling luck can hinder a driver’s outlook and performance.

From the October 2013 issue of FHM India.