Driving at a speed of 140km at the age of 16 | Driving at a speed of 140km at the age of 16: The country’s smallest formula-4 racer, due to lack of license, cannot drive a car on the roads right now

This is when I was running Go-Cart. The ratio started and within a few minutes we caught the entire speed. The racing round was going on and the race was just about to end. Meanwhile, a driver hit me from behind at a turn. I did not control the steering due to the collision. Apart from this, there is no top pack for safety in Go-Cart. For several seconds, the entire car remained on a tire… It took some time to balance, but finally I made a balance and in a short time the car became stable. At that time I realized fear for the first time. At that time I was very difficult to escape …

These words are 16 -year -old Shreya Lohia, who is the youngest international F4 (Formula 4) racer in our country. Shreya of Himachal Pradesh started racing at the age of just 9. How did Shreya achieve such a big achievement at such a young age, what problems she had to go through? Divya Bhaskar spoke to Shreya to know the answers to many questions like how she could establish her dominance in this male-oriented game. Read, the main part of the conversation with him …

International race at the age of 11 years I started motorsports from the age of 9. Shreya said- I had tried my hand in many sports earlier too, but none of them was so funny. When I tried my hand in motorsports for the first time, I decided that I will do the same now. Then I got into carting and carting for many years. I attended my first international race in Malaysia at the age of 11. After that I was part of many international races. I also won the PM Bal Award. Now I have been racing F4 (Formula 4) for the last one year. My parents are both software engineers and my sister has been a national shooter for many years.

I got my career in a joke I once went to the Fun Club with my sister to go to the club. When I first tried my hand in motorsports, my dopamine level increased so much that I decided there that I have to do the same now. As soon as I reached home. I told my father that I want to do racing now. Papa is very supportive. He immediately gave permission and my training started. Even Papa was happy that my daughter wants to do something new.

South India: Racing Hub of India When did you start racing? In response, Shreya said- I first did motorsports, then I was 9 years old and then I decided that I have to do the same now. So I also did research for its training center. Then I came to know that most of the training and championships of racing and cow-carcasses are done in South India. So I took training in Bengaluru and first learned to run Go-Cart. Because at that age you can only run Go-Cart. “

I can also racing behind the door closed doors Regarding training, Shreya says that training in motorsports is quite expensive than all other sports. In other sports, regular training develops your skills, but motorcyts are very expensive. Therefore, we cannot take training daily. We can practice only once or twice a month. When we participate in a championship, we get a chance to practice there 1-2 days before the match. It is part of the championship. Therefore, all racer mostly does the same thing. No racer practice every day. In addition, we have a racing simulator at home (a computer system that gives an experogency of racing), even though we do not have complete satisfaction, we can be mentally prepared with 70-80% feeling.

I still can’t drive a car on the road Shreya says that even though she is part of Formula-4, she cannot drive a car on the streets. Because, due to lack of 18 years of age, his license could not be made. Shreya said that there are different licenses for different racing. Racing license has to be taken from FMI (Federation of Motor Sports Club of India). This license is valid only on the racing track. It cannot be used out. This is mostly for drivers of young age (below 18 years), as they do not have an external license. For racing sports license, you have to complete the FMSCI training program.

You get a license only when they complete their training in the same way. I had a carting license when I used to carting. Now I am a part of F4, so I have a F4 single seater license. I got my first racing license at the age of 9. I am not 18 years old. So I still do not have a license to drive vehicles on the roads. I am still waiting to be 18 years old to drive a car.

By the age of 15 we can only do carting You do not have a permit to drive outside, but if it is for racing, is there any limit for that racing license, right? Shreya says, ‘There is no limit to license, but at the same time our speed limit is fixed. By the age of 15, we can only do carting. Carting is 90 km/h to the maximum speed by the age of 12 years and by the age of 15, this speed is up to 110–120 km/h.

You can only carting for 15 years. Then starts formula racing … First in Formula 4, we can drive up to 140 speed after the age of minimum 15 years. So far I have drove the car at a maximum speed of 115. Going forward, I have to face 350 km speed per hour of Formula 1.

Shreya says about racing expenses- Motorsports are very expensive. After an early experience of a year or two, I was able to reach here, as I found a sponsor. Otherwise it would have been very difficult to move forward. If you talk about training, then the cost of one day training in Go-Cart is more than 15 thousand rupees. At the same time, this expenditure in F4 is up to Rs 2-3 lakh per day. Secondly, I live in Himachal and everything from training to championship is in South India. Therefore, traveling costs separately. Apart from this, the cost of a driver per season in the F4 championship is around ₹ 1 crore. Therefore, it is difficult to succeed in these games without sponsors. I currently have two sponsors, Hyderabad Blackbird and JK Tires. ‘

Even today many people do not teach women drive driving Criticizing the insects of social media, Shreya says, “Nowadays the era has moved so much, women have moved so much in every field, yet many people still do not stop making fun of women. There are many houses in India, which still do not teach women to drive and break their confidence by joking. If my family had not supported me, I would not have been a part of this male dominated game. You should also support the women of your family in the field in which they want to move forward.

The most memorable race of your career? In response to this question, Shreya says- When I first drove the Formula 4 car, it was the best experience of my life. Because going from Go-Cart to Formula is a big step. At that time, I did not have much experience and I did not even have money. But due to the sponsors, I could reach here. I often suspect how expensive this game is. We are not so rich, but where did I come from? I never thought that I would be able to reach Formula 4 too.

Do not go to school every day due to racing Regarding her education, Shreya said- I am currently in 12th class. I am doing science from CBSC Board. But I study at home. I have to go to school only to take the exam. The rest of the time I do not go regularly, because it is difficult to find time to go to regular school due to racing games. I study at home with the help of my mother.

What would you advise to girls who want to move forward in racing? Shreya says- Make your mind before getting into this male dominated game, because many times you will be the only girl on the entire track. People will also talk a lot on social media and make a lot of comments. Many people will also say- you are a girl, what is your job in this game? They used to say to me too and still say that how can this girl drive? She might have been standing near the car and taking a picture. But all these things have to be ignored. People who talk negatively, let them speak and only listen to those who support you.