Mumbaikars chase speed at city’s race tracks

Car racing is known to be one of the most expensive sports in the world owing to the training, gear and maintenance. Despite its financial and logistical challenges, Mumbai has a large motor racing community with kids as young as four and five years old signing up for training programs.
‘We are using the limited platforms in the city to train national champions’
In Mumbai space crunch and high rent of premises poses a big problem, as compared to cities like Chennai, Coimbatore, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Bangalore. However, that hasn’t deterred parents of young racers to sign up for training programs. National Karting Champion and coach from Mumbai, Aditya Patnaik says, “Mumbai’s high rent and space issues definitely affect motorsport. There is a bottleneck between the number of Mumbaikars wanting to get into motorsport and the facilities the city offers, but we are using the limited platforms we have to train national champions.”
‘Wearing the correct gear is the first step to minimising risk of injuries’
Motorsports carry inherent risks but with the right precautions, those risks can be significantly minimised. Endurance race driver and founder of a racing academy in Mumbai, Jamie Shaw, says , “Wearing the correct gear is the first step, and we train all our drivers according to national safety standards. Small, yet, crucial habits, like wearing full-sleeved clothing, avoiding loose attire and securely tying and tucking in long hair can prevent serious injuries, many of which first-timers may not be aware of. That’s why our approach combines professional training with comprehensive safety briefings.”

While it is common for motorsport enthusiasts to start training at a young age, the governing body of motor sport worldwide FIA (The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile) has set strict rules for kids’ safety. Race driver and coach Ojas Surve who trains kids at Wadala says, “International champions start training as young as 4-years-old. Wearing a neck brace is mandatory and helmets are lighter for kids up to 15-years-old, which are rules we strictly follow.”
Where you can train in Mumbai
Ajmera IndiKarting, Wadala
Smaaaash Go-Karting, Lower Parel
Hakone, Powai
Republic of Karting, Virar
Raymond Racetack, Thane
Drifting in Mumbai
Couple Haasil Shaikh and Jessica Kump are training Mumbaikars who are interested in drifting. This is a motorsport technique where a driver intentionally causes a car to oversteer, breaking the traction of the rear while still maintaining control and steering the car through a turn. Haasil says, “My wife and I have trained in the US, Japan and across the country. We started by renting out a go-karting track in Borivali where we trained kids and seeing the response we are now working on setting up an advanced track in Navi Mumbai.”
Basic training
Rs 30,000
Advanced level
Rs 1,00,000
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I have been training for two-and- half years. I enjoy speed and want to participate in the National Championship. I’m taking it step-by-step and putting in my best effort
— Aarav Sureka (nine-year-old), resident of Juhu
I was initially apprehensive about how safe car racing is. I spoke to the coaches who assured me that my child will be fine and that I should encourage him to follow his passion. Now I’m happy to see Aarav enjoying his training
— Alka Sharma, resident of Sion
I started with a basic course and got hooked on to it. I realised I would have to work on my strength, fitness and endurance to make it to the international level, which is my dream
— Mairah Thacker (15-year-old), resident of Cuffe Parade
The lighter you weigh, the more advantage you have in car racing. It is recommended adult racers should weigh between 60-80 kg while teenagers and kids can weigh between 40-55 kgs- Aditya Patnaik, racing coach
Pics: Prashant Jadhav