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QUEEN of the Road
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She is known as the fastest woman in Bangalore, and has more than just enthusiasm for motorsports. Anitha Kholay is the only woman driver on the national rally circuit.
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Anitha Kholay: a passion for driving. — Photo: K. Gopinathan
ANITHA KHOLAY is more than a pretty face behind the wheels. She is one among the few women who is seriously into motor rallying business. It is not just "fun" for her because driving has been a passion. Anitha Kholay, who has done quite a number of drag and bike races, has now made her mark in MAI' s National Rally Circuit, competing in the Rally Star Cup event in Chikmagalur, Nasik, and Bangalore. She has certainly made an impact, with good finishes in those events.
"Speed has been my passion," declares Anitha. The enthusiasm for rallies began a few years ago as her fiancé (now her husband), Rupesh Kholay was a keen follower of motorsports, and himself, a competitor. Anitha began as a navigator for Rupesh, first, on two wheelers, and later on four-wheelers last year.
The experience as a navigator came in handy for Anitha, who then graduated as a driver from this season.
She took part in the MAI National Rally round in Chikmagalur, where she finished sixth, and then at Nasik, where she stood third, and her team was adjudged as the best ladies team.
Rally De Bangalore was a most awaited event for the simple reason that she was competing in a National round at home for the first time. "It turned out to be a satisfying moment and the rally went the way I wanted. I finished fifth and ours was the best local team. It was an enjoyable experience," says Anitha.
Many competitors in Rally De Bangalore were not too happy with the terrain and the exception seems to be Anitha. "It was great and suited my style, because, basically, I love dirt driving, and the tougher it is, the better I like it. The car (Esteem) performed well," says Anitha.
Now that she is into it, there is no looking back for Anitha. After making her mark in the Rally Star Cup, she is all set to move up the ladder for competitions in Group 'N' in a couple of years..
It is not easy for a woman to take to rallying unless there is good support. Anitha has support from her husband Rupesh, and his family. "They are totally behind me," she says.
Motor rally is still a male-dominated sport and woman drivers are a rarity. Does that make Anitha pretty insecure?
"Not at all. All the guys on the circuit have been helpful. I am proud of the fact that I am the lone woman driver around after a period of three years, after Nawaz Bathena. Yes, there is a general perception among the public that women are not safe drivers, and I am there to prove it all wrong. As regards speed, in some of the rallies, I have clocked better stage timings than many male drivers," asserts Anitha.
Her presence on the rally scene has motivated quite a few girls to take up motorsport, feels Anitha. Now that she does not have the navigator Rashim Bopanna with her, she is on the look out for a new navigator.
There are a couple of girls who are quite willing. "But then, I have to train them. Navigators play such an important role in a team's success," says Anitha.
Anitha feels that people should shed inhibitions and overcome their unwanted fears about getting their daughters or wives to into rallying. "In this sport, we have lot of safety precautions. It is much safer than street driving," says Anitha.
Lot of hard work goes into becoming a good rallyist. "This is not about speed. It is the whole package that counts — yourself, your car, and the navigator. There has to be perfect coordination when you are on the road and there is no margin for error. One small mistake, you are out of it. It is all about how safely you take your vehicle to the finish overcoming all hurdles with good timing," says Anitha. What keeps in her good nick is constant practise. The Kholays own a race track off Ramamurthy Nagar, and she keeps herself in tune with things by competing in local drag and auto cross events.
Another big plus point for Anitha is her self belief. "There are no heroes or idols for me. I look up to myself and try and do better and better. Compared to what I did last year, my performance this season has improved a lot. But I am not going to sit back and I will strive harder," says Anitha.
Anitha wishes to do another round for Rally Star Cup events next year too.
"This year, so far I have competed only in three events. I wish to do the full round next year and it should give me more experience. In fact, this year itself it was a learning process for me. Especially, Bangalore, which was truly my kind of terrain. I could do something different on my own," says Anitha.
Rallying is a risky business too and one has to be prepared for all sorts of contingencies. Luckily for Anitha, she has not had any major problem so far.
"Touch wood, there has been no big trouble since I set out to rally. Mentally, I am tuned to safe driving. I just want to get the car back to finish as safely as possible. I am pretty confident about doing that," claims Anitha.
But she is well prepared to meet any trouble headlong. "We always have service points en route. Assuming that there is trouble in the Stages, my first priority would be to bring the car back to the service point and set right the problem before getting back on course," says Anitha. Rallying is an expensive hobby and one certainly needs good backing.
As a lady driver, there are few advantages, like getting a sponsor. "There are not too many women's teams around and the task of securing a sponsor is relatively easier. This season, we had the support of Movva Associates," says Anitha. Movva will sponsor Anitha for the national rally in Pune next week.
"In fact, for the first rally we never had a sponsor before the Movva came in. Whether there is a sponsor or not, we had to carry on. Once you are into it, you don't feel like getting out. Rallying is just madness," says Anitha.
It is not just the home and car that occupies Anitha's mind all the time.
She is a successful businesswoman, fashion designer, and a beautician, who runs a boutique in Koramangala. "I was Miss Bangalore in 1998. I have done my stint of modelling for Maza, Britannia etc, and I acted in a Telugu film too. I love music and horse ride," says Anitha.
It looks as if she is into too many things at the same time. But that is how she is made. "I am not like a few others who are content with what they are doing. I wish to try out as many things as possible," says Anitha.
Anitha has very clear and strong goals. "I am known as the one of the best lady drivers of Bangalore and I want to become the best in India too. I would also like to compete in an international rally in the near future," signs off Anitha, before revving up her Maruti Esteem.
KHALYAN N. ASHOK
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