Aishwarya Pissay, first-ever Indian to win FIM Bajas, likes to sketch when not racing

Over the past weekend, Aishwarya Pissay made history as she won the FIM World Cup with 65 points in Hungary. The 23-year-old spoke to ET Panache after she came fourth in the final round of the championship. The performance in the five special stages totalling 588.26 kms of the Hungarian Baja was enough to help her win the World Cup.

"I like to travel, sketch and read when I have to let my hair down away from the racing circuit," said the Bengaluru based youngster. Spain for its racing culture is Pissay's favourite place to visit. But when it is business on the track, it is just that.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot took to Twitter to felicitate the racer.


"When the helmet goes on, it's just me and the bike and a sense of freedom with adrenaline kicking, that's what I like about racing. I started racing motorcycles as a passion, but when TVS came along, it turned into a career," she said of her unusual choice of occupation.


Pissay has been breaking records in her wake since she arrived on the rally biking circuit. Last year, she became the first Indian female racer to take part in the Baja Aragon Rally. She is also the first Indian woman to win a motorsports title.

In a sport where money and sponsors are important, the young woman speaks with a lot of maturity as she weighs that reality. "To be honest money is essential. But being able to become a racer takes a lot of time, dedication, perseverance and patience. The money will fall in place when the results show," she signs off saying.