Akhil Rabindra: From go-karting in Bangalore to solely Asian at GT4 European Series

Returning with the identical enthusiasm and group he raced for final yr within the French GT4 Championship, Akhil Rabindra shall be partnering with 19-year-old French driver Hugo Conde at AGS Events Racing to compete within the GT4 European Series. The event is about to start on the Monza Circuit in Italy from April 16-18.
The 24-year-old Indian racer remembers his journey from obsessing over automobiles and velocity as a child, having fun with leisure go-karting on weekends to turning into the primary Asian to be re-selected by the Aston Martin Racing Driver Academy.
Obsession with automobiles and velocity
How does a boy from Bangalore get himself into the world of motor racing, one thing nonetheless not very talked-about within the nation? For Rabindra, it was taking a liking to a pastime, pursuing it on the nationwide degree and climbing the hierarchy of the game. Add to that, a sprinkle of luck and a push in the proper route.
“I always liked cars and speed. And when you are very young, the only thing legal you can do is rental go-karting which were very few back in the day, I am talking 10-12 years ago. There used to be a few places and it was expensive then, it is expensive now. It wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea but my parents used to take me on the weekends,” Rabindra instructed indianexpress.com forward of Round 1 of the 2021 European GT4 Championship.
Rabindra turned out to be good however being good is relative in terms of leisure go-karting. From there, he progressed to skilled go-karting on the age of 14. He did junior racing and moved to the very best nationwide championships earlier than shifting out of India.
Akhil Rabindra goals to change into a Formula driver.
“Racing was never on my mind but driving cars, looking at cars and anything to do with cars was. I always thought I would own something nice and drive something nice. Even when I was go-karting, I could only think of a few possibilities at that age. It was only when  I got to a higher level in India and then I went abroad, I realised that one, talent abroad is very competitive and hard and two, you have got to do a lot of things right to make it to the top. And that is going to require a lot of financial resources, time and commitment. Somewhere along the way, the click happened and I got into financial racing.”
Explaining the hierarchy of the game, Rabindra mentioned that transition is like the subsequent step. In the racing hierarchy, one goes for a quicker automotive that has extra energy. In go-karting, there are completely different lessons — a micromax for youths, junior and senior. Once you end that, you have a look at GTs — GT4 and GT3. In the Formula ladder, it’s F4, F3, F2, and F1.
Explaining the distinction between Formula and GT, Rabindra mentioned that Formula automobiles are singular seaters, the wheels are uncovered and developed by a components which suggests something within the automotive can’t be past a sure specification. A GT automotive is one you’d see on the street from the manufacture. “If you take Aston Martin Vantage, the car I race, it is available to buy from the manufacture. The difference is just the shell looks the same but everything on the inside is different,” he mentioned.
“India not being a motorsport nation, there are only that many championships here and I have done most of them. Then it was time for me to go out and compete.”

Physical and psychological endurance
Contrary to fashionable perception, motor-racing requires an equal quantity, if no more, of physical-mental health in addition to self-discipline as some other sportsman does. “This is something which many people get wrong. Racing is a very physically intensive sport, it is as physical as any other sport. It’s the difference between a commercial jet pilot and a fighter jet pilot. Basically, it is the G-force that pushes into your body and weight and that’s when resistance comes into play. You’re sitting in a cramped position under a lot of external and internal heat and withstanding these forces. In some ways, it is a diluted version of a fighter jet on the ground.”
The depth of coaching classes, nevertheless, is seasonal for the Indian driver, who doesn’t have the identical exercise all year long. Pre-season is when the racers must up their sport to renew top-level of health.
“Mental fitness was not really institutionalised or popular when I started. But in some ways, I just learned how to deal with it through the experience of being in different situations. But nowadays, we would have a mental coach the same way we have a physical trainer. They would prep you mentally for a season, during and off as well, how to be mentally sharp, stay motivated and keep calm during tough situations,” mentioned Rabindra.
Even although accidents are usually not unusual on the earth of motor-sports, Rabindra mentioned that the expertise nowadays is superior sufficient to make sure the protection of the motive force. “Accidents can sometimes be brutal. But technology in safety has gone up every year and in today’s world, safety is at the forefront and very crucial. And today, if God forbid someone did have a crash, the car will take most of the impact and is designed in a way that nothing comes on the driver. But having said that, drivers do get affected,” mentioned Rabindra, who himself acquired into an accident whereas driving a Formula automotive again in 2014, taking months to get better.

Aston Martin Racing Academy for the third yr working
India’s solely GT4 racer Akhil Rabindra has been chosen for the Aston Martin Racing aAademy for the third yr working. The 24-year outdated can be the one Asian in GT4 as of now amongst 12 elite drivers from world wide.
Speaking on the help he acquired from the academy, Rabindra mentioned, “They help in many different fronts such as physical and mental training, technique of driving and a lot of on and off stuff. They are not just focused on the driving part but it is a holistic approach to teaching. It is also the network as you get to interact with drivers who would help you out in different situations. They help tap into different forms of support with ease.”

Financial strains of racing
Motor-racing is a really costly sport, not solely due to the heavy equipment and costly tools but additionally as a result of a group of individuals is required to run the automotive. On high of it, there are shopper payments like tires and gasoline.
“You take all these things into perspective and it’s all the more expensive. Most of the racing drivers are always seeking sponsorships, anywhere we go, anyone we meet who is looking for brand building, who is interested in the sport, we try to pitch and get value for the sport. Sponsorship has been the sole way of financing,” he mentioned.

India has curiosity however lacks data
The curiosity in motor sports activities is slowly rising in India however we’re nonetheless removed from understanding it. “In India, people are not educated on the sport like say we are on cricket. We know what is wide, no ball or cover drive. There is a fair interest in fast cars and modified cars in any city in India. The middle class is getting more affluent and everyone is always seeking to have a nice car. I think if it is televised more and there are more opportunities to watch, the interest will grow.”
A distinct segment sport in India, XI Racing League proved to be an enormous step in the proper route.
“XI Racing League is a huge step forward in the racing context in India, was very happy to be a part of it. In simple words, it is like the IPL of our sport,” mentioned Rabindra, who represented group Hyderabad in its inaugural season.
“The same way everyone knew about Kabaddi and how it is played but it was only after the league that it got more popularity. In a similar way, this needs more popularity as well,” he added.