INDIA’S FIRST FEMALE karting enthusiast Mira Erda (14) is blazing a trail on national and international motor racing circuits. Winner of five championships since she debuted in 2010, this Vadodara-based teen who graduated to the junior class reserved for karters in the 14-18 age group ” at age 12, is set to race in the JK Formula 4 Championship scheduled to be held at Delhi’s Buddha International Circuit later this month. Formula 4 Championships are a stepping stone to Formula 1 racing. Born and raised in a motor sports loving family her elder brother Vrajesh (19) has competed in the One From a Billion tournament to select drivers for the Force India Formula 1 team, while her father Kirit was an avid motorbike racer in his youth ” this class IX student of Rosary High School, Vadodara, is highly appreciative of the solid parental support she™s received. Inducted into motorsport in 2010, Mira trained intensively under the supervision of her father at the Vadodara and Kolhapur circuits to prepare for her first JK Tyre National Rotax Max Championship. She was ranked #7 in the Micro Max category and was awarded the Best New Upcoming Driver of the Year 2010 trophy. Two years later, she bagged her first trophy overseas at the Sepang International Karting Circuit, Malaysia. There’s no limit to what girls and women can achieve, enthuses Mira, who has been specially invited to participate in the Lotus Ladies Cup in Hungary next year, where she will race with the best women drivers from around the world. Although still in her early teens, Mira is licenced by Federation of Motor Sports Clubs, India and FIA (Federation Internationale de Automobile) which qualifies her to race in India and abroad. Most of her expenses are sponsored by her father, engaged in the internet and cable service business. She is also sponsored by the popular sports channel Star Sports. Even as Mira aspires to become the first Indian woman Formula 1 driver and bring glory to Indian motor sports, she doesn’t neglect her schooling. After Plus Two, I plan to sign up for a home science degree, while pursuing my Formula 1 racing dream, she says. Power to your engine! Avantika Shankar (Mumbai)
