Aishwarya Pissay | Syam Babu
Aishwarya Pissay was 18 when she started riding the motorcycle. Three years later, in 2016, she made her racing debut at the TVS One-Make Race championship for women. This year, Pissay, 24, created history by becoming the first Indian to win an international motorcycle event—the Baja Aragon FIM series in Spain. The newly-crowned FIM world champion is preparing for the Dakar Rally—one of the world’s toughest off-road rallies—in Saudi Arabia next year.
What inspired you to take up motor-sports?
I never planned on becoming a racer. When my father kicked me out of the house because I did not do well in Class XII, I went to stay with my mother. It is during this time that I started riding the bike. Soon, I started taking weekend bike trips with friends. The year-off ignited a love for riding. I covered 8,000km from the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat to Cherrapunji in Meghalaya in 24 days for an MTV show. I also started taking up time-based challenges like Saddle Sore and Bun Burner. This was when a friend suggested I take racing seriously. And I did.
Did your family support your decision to take up racing professionally?
I did not have to face parental pressure because my parents are separated. So, when I decided to be a racer, they did not really have a say in it. My mother did show some concern, but not enough to interfere with my plans. My father had said that I would not make anything of my life. Contrary to that, I have [made] a name now. Anyone can be anything at any time―the secret is to work hard and be consistent when it comes to pursuing your passion.
What do you think about motor-sports often being called a ‘man’s world’?
Forget racing, people in our country feel that motorcycles are not for women. When I started riding at the age of 18, people would give me death glares. The engine would go off and I could see men frowning at me. When I started racing, the male racers in the factory asked me why I chose this sport. They said things like, ‘You [should] rather stay at home, lest you break a bone or two!’ I could not say anything at that point but I made sure that my performances spoke for me. Many women are now coming into the racing scene. Motor-sports is getting more serious. Before, it was more of a weekend road trip sort of idea, but now, with many riding clubs, it is gaining momentum.