Alisha Abdullah is all set to take on the boys in their own sport, writes Lata Srinivasan, who met the go-karting wonder

Spunky is what comes to mind when you meet Alisha Abdullah. She's the only girl to take the boys on in the go-karting circuit in India. At 14, she has already proved her mettle with the latest victories, winning the coveted Danny's Karting Cup Novice Intermediate trophy and the Overall Championship for 2003.

The racing bug bites
Racing is in Alisha's genes. Her dad used to be a part of the bike racing circuit in his younger days. ‘’Ever since I can remember, I was keen to get into motor-sports. I preferred go-karting to bikes, because they're definitely more fun and cool.’’

Alisha started racing two years ago. In the early stages itself, she figured out she could easily secure the fastest race time. Encouraged, she became a regular and started practising diligently giving her best. Her first race in 2002, at Chennai's Danny's Karting, saw her qualify on pole position among the girls. She, later, took the championship too.

Competing with the boys
Soon, Alisha was competing with the boys in the 11 to 15-year-old category. ‘’I found the girls slow and was missing out on all the fun! Also, there are no rules that don't allow women to compete with men,’’ she clarifies. ‘’However, vice versa is not allowed.’’

According to Alisha, it takes certain kinds of girls to compete with the boys. ‘’They do tend to get rough sometimes.’’

Interesting nuggets
While the average weight for the National Cadet Class (10-15 years) is 40 kgs, Alisha weighs 52 kgs. ‘’Every three kgs above the average weight makes you 0.2 seconds slower. But so far, I'm on par with the boys in timing. Fitness is the most essential part in this sport. To excel, you've got be fit. I work out for an hour every day. You can control your reflexes only if you are fit,’’ says the young champ.

Though Alisha loves non-vegetarian food, she has turned a vegetarian to keep her weight under control. She also loves the attention and adulation she receives for being the only girl in the go-karting championships for boys.

But none of this has gone to her head. ‘’I have lots of fans in school but that's part of the deal,’’ smiles the ninth grade student, whose ambition is to become an automobile engineer.

Ambition F1
In the year 2002, Alisha finished in the top five at every race and she has now moved into the top three bracket. Since go-karting is an expensive sport, Alisha practises for just 20 minutes every day, a few days prior to the race. ‘’My parents have always encouraged and supported me, which is why I have come this far. I'm also grateful to my coach, Mr Shariff, for his guidance and trust in me.’’

For the young teenager, the tracks inspire her and fill her with the passion to win. ‘’When I'm on the tracks, I don't think of myself as a girl. I'm there to win.’’

And how do the boys take that? ‘’They don't like it at all but we slug it out right to the finishing line!’’
Alisha hopes to compte at the bigger races some day.

‘’I love racing. Maybe, one day, I can get into the F1.’’ Till then, there is more practice and dreaming, of course.