“Don’t call me a woman racer; just a racer.”
This is the dream that 16-year-old Shriya Lohia, a class 11 student, is chasing as she hopes to make a mark in motorsport. At the age of nine, Shriya was cruising at 110 kmph on go-karts; at age 15, she was whizzing past at speeds of over 210 kmph at the Indian F4 championships.
Shriya’s passion for racing ignited during a family trip to Panchangani in Maharashtra. She had her first driving experience on a go-kart meant for kids aged six and above; she wasn’t chasing a dream or looking for a career, it was just a fun activity at a rental karting track.
But by the time the trip ended, Shriya had an explicit declaration for her parents: “I want to be a racing driver.”
Road to Indian F4 Championship
“I had tried almost every sport growing up,” Shriya tells The Better India, listing tennis, basketball, swimming, and badminton among her many pursuits. “But racing was different. I knew immediately that this was what I wanted to do.”
And to help Shriya cruise down her road to success, her proud parents, Ritesh and Vandana Lohia, decided to leave no stone unturned.
“I have always loved adventure sports and when Shriya showed interest towards racing, I decided to support her wholeheartedly,” Ritesh says.
Soon, Shriya and her family, who were residing in Pune at the time, started looking for karting training centres and realised there were more established arenas in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
In 2018, at the age of nine, Shriya started her training in professional karting in Bengaluru. “I used to travel for these training sessions from Pune to Bangalore, which used to be physically tiring,” she shares.
“When she returned home from training, she rested a full day. That’s how much her body was exhausted from the travel and training,” Jiya Lohia, Shriya’s sister, recalls.
Unlike other sports, the training patterns and criteria for karting differ. “Before you can participate in any championship, you have to train for two to three days before the event and then take part in it,” she explains.
In 2018, she debuted in the Rotax Max India Karting Championship with Birel ART in India, finishing fourth in the Micro Max category. The next few years saw her continue her journey in karting, winning the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India’s (FMSCI) Outstanding Women in Motorsports’ award for four consecutive years.
In 2023, her hard work made her the youngest female to race and score points in the inaugural Indian F4 Championship, representing Hyderabad Blackbirds.
“We didn’t even know what go-karting was before that road trip,” she laughs.
Overtaking financial difficulties
Motorsports is an expensive field and comes with its own financial constraints. “Each championship cost around Rs 5-7 lakh, and the racing gear alone was a significant investment,” Ritesh explains.
To manage, her family had been considerate of Shriya’s passion, and accommodated the family’s financial decisions accordingly. “It becomes very difficult at times, but we are grateful that we were able to manage somehow, as I never wanted the monetary aspect to hinder my daughter’s journey towards racing,” Ritesh says.
“Most drivers tested every weekend, but even two sessions before a race were a big deal for us,” Shriya recalls.
But her determination remained unshaken. “I learnt to make the most of every lap on the track.”
After being in the sport for one and a half years, Shriya found her first sponsor, marking a turning point in her life.
“It was a huge relief for my family,” she says, adding, “Without sponsorships, it is almost impossible to self-fund yourself.”
“I feel like she has this guilt of being a financial hurdle for the family, but we have never thought about it from that point of view. We are just happy to be a part of her passion towards racing, something she puts her heart and soul into,” shares Jiya.
‘I focus on being the best racer’
With over 120 races and eight awards to her name, Shriya is gradually edging towards fulfilling her dream. But her journey comes with an additional constraint: “There’s a lot of scrutiny as a female racer.”
“When I overtake male competitors, they often get agitated, as if being beaten by a woman is unacceptable,” she says, adding that it has sometimes led to aggressive on-track behaviour from her peers. “Sometimes they ruin my race and experience on the track.”
“Already, I am worried that my daughter is driving at the speed of 240. The stereotypical treatment makes me furious,” Ritesh adds.
But Shriya has learnt to rise above it. “I don’t let it affect me. I focus on being the best racer I can be, not just a female racer.”
“The mentality is changing over the years,” she says. “As more women enter the sport, it will become normalised. But for now, us in this generation, we are paving the way for future female racers.”
Juggling academics
While Shriya excels on the track, it’s important to remember she’s still just 12, an age typically devoted to academics. And to ensure Shriya does not miss out on a good education, her parents have opted to homeschool her.
“I give equal attention to racing and studies because I know how important both are to me,” she asserts. “Even though I have less time now, I cover my portions during off-racing periods so things don’t pile up.”
That said, Shriya acknowledges the trade-offs. “Sometimes I miss most kids’ regular school life. But I also know what I’m pursuing is special and rare.”
Shriya’s journey in motorsport has earned her significant accolades. She received the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar in 2022, an honour she describes as a milestone for her and the sport.
“Motorsport isn’t widely recognised in India, so being acknowledged by the Prime Minister was a huge step forward,” she says. “It gives hope to racers like me that our efforts are being noticed.”
As she continues to race, Shriya remains steadfast in her goal: reaching Formula 1 and representing India on the global stage. “Motorsport is a tough field, but I’m ready to give it my all,” she says.
With every lap she completes and every barrier she breaks, she’s not just racing towards her dream but also inspiring a generation to challenge stereotypes. “Focus on your goals and don’t listen to the naysayers. Your talent and dedication will speak louder than any criticism,” she asserts.
Edited by Arunava Banerjee; All images courtesy Shriya Lohia
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