RACING ON HOME TURF
 While growing up, I was always surrounded by vintage cars and racing cars. My grandfather, Mr. Suresh Kumar, built the First Formula Indian, a.k.a. Q’marri, which still is with our family today. He was President of the FMSCI and Calcutta Motor Sports Club. My Uncles Ravi, Rishi and Shiel Kumar have raced with success and won numerous races and rallies in India. My mother, Sita Raina, used to race as well. My father, Vikram Raina, was a well-known classic car collector. Perhaps this was my calling, or the reason why I love motorsport. I always admired and respected Alain Prost, a great driver and strategist.
I made my debut in 2008 in the JK NRC (National Racing Championship), and it was a dream come true to finally get behind the wheel of a racing car on a track. I literally had to beg, borrow, and steal to get the funding needed to get started. It was thanks to a group of large hearted uncles – Mr.Qureshi, Mr.Tyagi, Mr.Bishnoi, Mr. Khanna, and, of course, my father, that I got my break. I raced in the Formula Hyundai single-seaters and the Race Star Cup classes. I had numerous podium finishes, and even finished 3rd overall in the Race Star Cup class – a dream debut season.
Currently, I race for Chettinad Sporting in the Indian Touring Car Championship, which is the most technically advanced class in the JK NRC. I drive a Maruti Esteem, which to most may seem like an ordinary everyday vehicle, but it’s a Wolf in Sheep’s clothing! My car is highly modified and capable of doing a quarter mile in 14 seconds. Racing in the ITC championship means driving amidst the legends of Indian motorsport – rubbing fenders with the likes of B. Vijay Kumar and N. Leelakrishnan to name a few. I’ve had two podiums so far, but a win still eludes me.
 The fact that Delhi will now also host a world class race track is very important for Indian motorsport. I’m absolutely ecstatic, more so about the fact that I will not have to catch a flight at an unearthly hour to get to the racetrack! Finally the racing comes to me! Jokes’ apart, having a Grade A track half-an-hour from home, and finally racing at home is every racers dream. I can’t wait! I am going to try my best to ensure that win no longer eludes me. Being at home would make it even more special.
Having the pinnacle of motorsport in India is surreal, and will be the necessary exposure needed for motorsport for the masses. Motorsport in India will finally get the due attention and interest it deserves. I hope that this will translate into corporates sponsoring and aiding the development of teams and drivers at a national level, which will lead to many more successful Indians competing in motorsport internationally.
As a long time F1 fan (personally, I used to be a huge Jordan fan, which is now Force India), naturally I am a Force India supporter. And I really respect Dr. Vijay Mallya for all he has done for motorsport in India and internationally.
On the track, I try very hard to emulate Jenson Button’s driving style and gentleman racer approach – we need more like him! I eat, sleep, and breathe cars and motorsport. I also work as a motoring consultant with a leading event management company. Apart from that, I customize hot rods for car enthusiasts and myself. Lastly, I do, on occasion, contribute to the best auto magazine in India – autoX! |
