Bengaluru-based rally driving force Pragathi Gowda is the one Indian to make it to the World Women’s Finals subsequent 12 months. However, the 25-year-old, who’s getting ready for the finale set to happen in Peru in January 2023, says the adventure has been “quite challenging” because of the loss of assets within the nation.
“We do not also have the precise race karts [needed to train] to be had in India. It was once a tricky problem for me for the reason that different competition have been truly rapid and had immense technical wisdom concerning the karts they have been using. Racers like Vicky Chandhok from India and Niroshan Pereira from Sri Lanka were serving to me all the way through through suggesting what can also be achieved absolute best for me to coach. I am hoping the federal government additionally steps as much as assist me teach as I need to win many extra races for India. I’m additionally making plans to get some coaching in Europe for the reason that karts are out there there.”
Talking about her journey to this stage, Gowda says, “I’ve just been two years in the sport, so I’m catching up on the basics this year like learning race lines and the technical aspects. The selection rounds for the Asia Pacific Rally Championship took place in three cities this year: Bengaluru, Chennai and Delhi. 16 competitors from India participated and at the end, three male drivers and one female driver got selected for the finals, and I was one of them. It was my very first time seeing and driving a kart like this! Now I am onto the world finals, competing against female drivers from every other continent.”
Gowda, a post-graduate in finance, has a lot of hope riding on this championship. “Currently, I am tackling a financial crisis. One of my dreams is to represent India at Formula One and I also wish to see more Indian drivers on the track. But for the near future, I just wish to hold the trophy high and prove to the world that India has great talent too; We just need the right opportunities. I just hope the support for various sports increases in the country. Who knows, in the future we will be home to world champions for every kind of sport!”
2022 was a year of achievements as well as learnings for Gowda. “I got the chance to represent India on two major occasions. I learned that I need to stay focused and nurture my mental and physical health,” says Gowda, including, “Apart from wanting to win the world finals, I hope to take part in the European Rally Championship next year.”