What Is Drag Racing?
Whenever I talk about being a Drag racer the first question I get asked is ‘what is drag racing?’ Let me tell you in detail about my passion. Drag racing takes a lot of passion and courage to start off. It is a quarter-mile run that a racer is supposed to complete in the shortest time frame. It’s all about focus, perseverance and a very attentive mind. The clutching, gear shifting and controlling have to be on point for a perfect launch which is the most important part of drag racing. Two participants compete, usually two at a time, to be first to cross a set finish line. A drag race is initiated by the Christmas Tree, an electronic lighting device that activates a timer by each vehicle, which is then stopped once that same vehicle crosses the finish line. We have multiple classes and categories of bikes and cars according to their CC and BHP.
How Did I Start Drag Racing?
Well, I was in the 11th grade and went to Kharghar to watch the Speedway event. At that point, we were kids with barely any pocket money or no pocket money at all. I still remember that we did not have money to purchase the event spectator passes so I climbed this fence and was watching people race from between the fence and stood there the whole day just watching the race in the scorching heat. I could literally feel the Adrenaline rush in me when I heard the exhaust and chambers there. Also, I had not seen any women participants there and I had promised myself to take riding seriously and most importantly drag racing. Since that day I started practising how to launch a bike and have a perfect start and correct my gear shifting. My liking towards speed and the smell of petrol made me get into drag racing.
The Challenges I Faced
More than the praises that I get today, I have faced many challenges. From people hooting me to making fun of me, I went through it all. It all started off when I planned to take drag racing to a next level and one of my male friends commented “Ladki hai – kya kar legi tu? Ladkiyo wale kaam kar yeh bike sub chod dey seekhna, tera drag mein kuch nahin hone wala hai” and he laughed.
In 2017, just before my race at the Valley Run, I had gone for my practice. I had a very bad accident there and my hands and legs were bruised. It happened 15 days before my race at the Valley Run. I was very upset but I still raced. However, I realized that I was suffering from PTSD and did not race for a year after that. Everyone thought my career in drag racing was over but my mother did not allow that to happen. Though she does not like speed she asked me why was I not racing and explained to me that every dark cloud has a silver lining.
Inspired by that thought I raced in India Speed Week in Bangalore and secured the 2nd position among 42 male participants. I also received the Fastest Lady Rider Award and the Fastest Time of the Event Award.
You know, my height is only 5 feet, but I never let that be a weakness. But people still made fun of me and teased me whenever I rode. Everyone thinks height plays a vital role when you want to learn to ride a bike. But I strongly believe that if someone is passionate about learning to ride a bike, they will be successful at it. Nevertheless, My parents are very supportive of my passion. My mom does not like speed but my dad is a fan of it. My younger sister accompanies me for all my races. She takes care of my gear and food timing. I also have a close friend who helps me to develop my bikes and gets it to all my races.
I still remember I went for my first race without even knowing what was I suppose to do at the starting line. When it was my turn all the cameras were capturing me as there was no girl who raced from our own city ever. In fact, I gave my first interview that was telecasted and my parents were proud to see me on television. On multiple occasions, I have shared a podium with men, but to reach this level, it has cost me sleepless nights and a whole lot of practice and stress. I work from 9 am to 5 pm. But I barely sleep before my race, as we need clear roads to practice and that happens only after 1 am in the morning.
So, at times, I sleep after work and wake up by 1.30 am and leave to practice near an area close to my house that has a long stretch. I cannot do that in the day due to heavy traffic. But when I have to practice on my drag bike I need an open road to do so. At that time, I take my bike in the Innova for 2 and a half hours that is 110 km away from my house to practice. I set out at 4.30 am and start my practice by 6 am. I wind up by 7 am and directly report to work. I practice this routine for days on end.