Indian motorsports girl Alisha Abdullah set to enter international arena

Indian motorsports poster girl Alisha Abdullah is all set to accelerate into the international arena in Thailand with the Toyota Vios Cup – a street race approved by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. Alisha will be up against women racers from Singapore, China, Philippines, England, Japan, Malaysia. The races will be held in Bira Circuit, Chonburi and Phuket.

Alisha, who recently finished first and second in Toyota Yaris Cup in Bira Circuit believes she is confident of cracking the Vios code. "I raced in the rain in the Yaris Cup when others took an off waiting for the track to dry. Racing in adverse conditions is an advantage. Now, I am well acquainted with the track," she said.

Talking about the internationals, she said: "The girls are physically stronger compared to Indians. Otherwise, it is all same. I barely had a 0.5 second difference with some of the veterans. In the pre-race sessions, they practise with men and gradually, do better when competing against each other."

Vios Cup is a three-year-old championship running across Asia and Europe. How did she get into this championship? "I wanted to go international this year. Hence, I got sponsors. Europe would have been more expensive, so I chose Asia," she said.

Apart from racing, the 24-year-old is about to go around India to scouting for women bike racers and train them. "I always had plans of a racing school. I want more women to come into racing. I am going to teach them about fitness and techniques," said Alisha.