At what age did you realise that you wanted to race professionally? Could you take us through your journey?
I think it all started when I was in 11th grade, but because of my height everyone laughed at me and never took me seriously. It was like racing was never meant for short people. My journey started back in 2010 when the Bajaj Pulsar 180 had just launched and a couple of my friends owned it. They used to go racing illegally, but I loved watching them race. This made me want to learn to ride professionally. However, no one would let me ride their motorcycles as I was short and back then, women barely rode motorcycles. At the time, motorsports in India was known to be a man's game. I was able to convince my parent's to buy me a motorcycle and eventually booked a Yamaha R15. To my bad luck, I met with an accident before my bike arrived and my parents cancelled the booking of my YamahaR15 and booked a Honda Dio scooter instead. I was so heartbroken that I did not ride my new scooter for a week after it arrived. I was struggling to collect my pocket money to buy a bike back then and used to be so stressed about it. Today, I own more than five motorcycles.
My journey has been tough as I am a woman trying to compete in what was traditionally a male dominated sport. I have hopped from team to team and tried my luck, but when you’re a woman trying to grow in a male dominated sport, you get to hear all sorts of things that send chills down your spine. I came to a point where I was going to quit racing and give up. But my mother kept reminding me that ‘every cloud has a silver lining’ and that kept me going. I was placed 2nd among 47 male racers in 2017 in Bangalore for the India Speed Week National Championship, and in the Valley Run races in 2019, I was placed 3rd among 45 male racers. I am now looking forward to my next race at the MMRT track in Chennai.
Of all the different types of motorsports, what made you choose drag racing?
Drag racing has a different kind of adrenaline rush. When the gushing wind touches my skin, I feel powerful. The faster I go, the more powerful I feel. It’s a general misconception that drag racing happens only on an empty strip of road where all you are supposed to do is race straight and just tap through all the gears. It sounds very easy, right, but trust me it's way more intense than any other type of motorsports. Firstly, it’s very important to have a technician who understands the engine well. Then you need someone who can source parts from across the globe to make the bike go as fast as possible. The rider needs a lot of practice and riding a drag bike is not a joke. Imagine riding a motorcycle on thin race tyres at a top speed of 170 kmph. If your launch is not perfect, you lose precious micro seconds and if your shifting is not precise, your clocked time suffers.
Racing predominantly is gender biased and there are many misconceptions about female drivers. What are your thoughts on this, based on your experience in racing so far?
Motorsports is mainly known as male dominated sport, but it definitely depends on the upbringing you’ve had. There are many male racers and colleagues who actually support me and want to see me grow in this field. Many women including me suffer during races as some of the male riders never want to be beaten by a woman on the track. I face a lot of sarcasm and other racers think it’s a joke when I pull up to race against them. I have had people tell me "Tere mom dad kuch boltey nahi hai kya?". Also, "Humari ghar ki ladkiyaya bahu log kabhi race karti to hamare baap dada kaat ke rakh dete". You can imagine how sentences like these can demotivate you and bring you down.
Being a racer, how do you take care of tyres?
Tyres are the most important part for us racers and I literally take care of my tyres by using different products. I sometimes end up changing my tyres after every race because I want the traction to be at the top level. Motul being my official sponsor, I use their tyre repair kit which is really good and it helps me a lot. Also, during the time after the race and the time before the next race, I just don't let my bike stand – I use it at times so that the tyre health is good.
Has there been any instance where you felt a set of tyres was just not right or worked really well for racing?
Definitely, there have been instances where I should have used a set of tyres but ended up using another and it completely ruined my race. Tyres play a vital role and are very important during a race. I used to use normal road tyres for my races but always landed up with the rear wheel spinning out, which ruined my race and affected my race timing. Then I started using Vee rubber tyres which gave me amazing traction and helped me achieve high speeds without any hiccup – and "boom" I won. That’s how important tyres are in a race. You can have your motorcycle set up perfectly, but if the tyres aren’t right, it could cost you the race.
Apart from racing, what do you do and what is the future plan?
I am currently working for Cathay Pacific Airways in the Regional Team. A fact that most people don't know about me is that I am an animal rescuer and have many rescued animals living with me. I have planned to complete my diploma in veterinary science or medicine while continuing to race in my free time. I am also planning to race in Thailand hopefully next year.
What do you tell to women who want to try their career into racing?
For all the women out there, if you love bikes and love speed, do not think twice – Just go for it. Life does not give you many opportunities, so make the fullest of whatever you think is best for you. People will always try and bring you down because your growth is going to hurt them, but you need to follow your dreams. Being scared is no option; it's either your way or the highway!
Make it happen, girls!!! (TT)
Tegeta Green Planet Explains Producer Responsibility To Future Automotive Professionals
- By TT News
- October 08, 2026
Tegeta Green Planet opened the Light Vehicle Diagnostics course at Tegeta Academy with a presentation for attendees aged 17 to 33. Beyond their chosen vocational field, participants learned about automotive waste management and environmental responsibility.
Shalva Akhvlediani, the organisation’s director, outlined its activities and goals while emphasising Extended Producer Responsibility. The session examined how the automotive sector connects to environmental duty and why used tyres, waste oils and automotive batteries must be collected and managed properly.
Tyre management and RECSOL featured prominently. Attendees traced a used tyre’s path from collection to recycling and learned how waste becomes a source of new resources. RECSOL, Tegeta’s tyre recycling plant, is a significant infrastructure project in used tyre recycling, processing tyres into materials for various uses and supporting circular economy principles.
A core aim is a system where waste is not an endpoint but the starting point for new resources, which requires infrastructure alongside greater public awareness and information on proper disposal. For participants, the meeting linked professional education with environmental awareness, stressing that future automotive professionals should understand this responsibility early.
Tyres Europe Joins Industry Call To Rethink CBAM Scope Extension
- By TT News
- October 08, 2026
Tyres Europe, alongside ACEA (the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association) and CLEPA (the European Association of Automotive Suppliers), has dispatched a joint communication to EU decision-makers concerning the possible broadening of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) to cover downstream goods. The move comes as trilogue discussions approach.
Tyre producers form part of an automotive value chain already bearing carbon-related expenses for steel and aluminium manufactured within Europe. The proposed expansion would draw additional products into the mechanism’s remit before the existing framework has demonstrated its effectiveness. Resulting costs and administrative requirements would land on downstream manufacturers, tyre makers included, with signatories cautioning that a conceptually sound regulatory effort could become an operational and financial strain.
Endorsing the mechanism’s aims, the signatories nonetheless urge a proportionate scope that shields the entire value chain from carbon leakage while preventing that risk from being pushed further downstream. They advocate extending the mechanism only where a material carbon-leakage danger is evidenced, and request that policymakers ease compliance demands, including via more fitting default values mirroring real production routes.
NEXEN TIRE Renews Zalgiris Deal, Expanding Brand Visibility Across Europe
- By TT News
- October 08, 2026
NEXEN TIRE has extended its partnership with Zalgiris, reinforcing its commitment to basketball in Europe, particularly across the Baltic region. The renewal builds on a relationship that began in 2024 and reflects the company’s broader strategy of linking its brand to performance, innovation and mobility.
The tyre maker has pursued sports partnerships as a way to connect with fans, sharing in the passion and excitement of supporting favourite teams during major matches and memorable moments. It also values the teamwork, dedication and collective achievement that define team sports, using such ties to build authentic connections and deepen engagement in key European markets. Its collaboration with clubs including Zalgiris and FC Bayern München forms part of this approach.
Under the extended agreement, NEXEN TIRE will gain greater visibility among sports fans in the region. The partnership offers branding opportunities at Zalgirio Arena, such as synchronised on-screen advertising and promotion on LED stands near the court, in a position visible on television during EuroLeague and LKL home games.
The arrangement also includes a hospitality programme allowing NEXEN TIRE to welcome guests and business partners at Zalgiris home fixtures. Through the strengthened alliance, the company aims to share its passion with more fans while raising brand awareness across the region.
Ricky Lee, Managing Director, NEXEN TIRE Poland, said, “Our cooperation with Zalgiris has developed positively since 2024, and we are pleased to extend and strengthen this partnership. Basketball has a particularly strong following in the Baltic region, making Zalgiris an important partner as we continue to grow our presence and engage with fans. We look forward to supporting the team throughout the season and doing our best to create positive experiences for both the players and their passionate fans.”
Paulius Jankunas, President, Zalgiris, said, “We are delighted to continue our cooperation with NEXEN TIRE and build on the partnership we started two years ago. NEXEN TIRE brings extensive experience in sports marketing, and we are proud to work together on creating meaningful projects and experiences for our fans. We look forward to another successful period of cooperation and to welcoming NEXEN TIRE’s guests and partners to our games and events.”
TBC Corporation Expands Multi-Mile Tyres Portfolio With Four New Lines
- By TT News
- October 08, 2026
TBC Corporation, one of North America’s largest marketers of automotive replacement tyres through wholesale and franchise operations, has widened its tyre portfolio through the addition of four new lines under the Multi-Mile Tyres banner. Serving as a value step-up brand, Multi-Mile gives dealers a strong mix of broader product coverage and improved consumer advantages crafted to drive better retail margins, helping retailers offer greater value while lifting profitability. With this expansion, the portfolio now reaches over 85 percent of the vehicle market, offering dealers more ways to satisfy customer demand.
Among the additions are tyres built for rugged and mud terrain use, boasting self-cleaning treads that push out mud and stones alongside dependable traction both on and off the road. Also joining the range are commercial and C-metric speciality tyres tailored to heavy-duty regional and long-haul trucks, together with all-weather tyres that hold the 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake severe snow rating and are made for high mileage and consistent year-round use.
A prominent name in the replacement tyre segment, Multi-Mile carries cutting-edge touring, high-performance and broad-line tyres suited to passenger cars, light trucks and SUVs. Meanwhile, the upgraded Mile After Mile Protection Plan warranty now delivers broader coverage, adding three-year roadside assistance, a three-year road hazard protection plan and a 60-day ride guarantee on top of its extensive treadwear warranties.
Rachel Tibor, Chief Marketing Officer, TBC Wholesale, said, “For more than 70 years, Multi-Mile products have offered cost-efficient, reliable and durable tyre options that enhance safety and performance. With this expanded portfolio, Multi-Mile strengthens its position as a value step-up brand, giving dealers more opportunities to meet evolving consumer needs while offering a product mix designed to support stronger retail margins. We’re continuing our longstanding tradition of supplying the right products at the right time for every type of vehicle and application.”
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