Thursday, March 18, 2010

Alisha Abdullah India's Only Woman Bike Racer Is a Muslim


Alisha Abdullah has the unique distinction of being India's only woman super bike racer. Well it is no surprise because racing runs in her genes. Her father RA Abdullah was himself a famous bike racer and a seven-time national champion.

Alisha has been fascinated by racing since she was a kid. As a nine-year-old, Alisha was drawn to go-karting. She was winning go-karting races by the time she was eleven. When she was just 13-years-old, she won the MRF National Go-Karting Championship and the Best Novice Award in the National level Formula Car Racing in the open class .

Alisha then moved on to formula car racing and managed to come fifth in the JK Tyre National Championship, 2004. She made the switch from four wheels to bikes in the same year.

Talking about the change Alisha's father who noted, “The fact is formula car racing can get very expensive. Motorbike racing is easier to manage financially, and moreover, I know what is what in motorbike racing and I can guide her. So I asked Alisha to try bike racing."

Alisha regards her father as a role model and hero. "I have never seen anybody ride better," is her take. Her idol in India is Karun Chandok whom she says is very strong and can beat anyone.

Inevitably, eyebrows are raced when she zooms past men in a flash but this only makes the whole scenario more inviting for Alisha as she opines “Speed thrills me. They say girls generally hate racing, but I love it and that's why I'm here.” She also goes on to add “Whenever I win a Championship in he open class, the exclamatory remarks that I get to hear from the men makes me really proud.”

Alisha and racing are just inseparable. She is synonymous with speed, guts and glory.

More About Alisha at http://www.alishaabdullah.com/

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