Mohit M. Aryan's benign visage is in every way an antithesis to his prowess behind the wheels. His rite of passage is now complete with a maiden championship victory at the JK Tyre Junior Cup. The smile on his face, defying post-race exhaustion, smacks of contentment and relief. Having driven in the event for the only time in 2007, Mohit's progress over the last four years has been nothing short of steady.
Strong willed
“When I started off in the Junior Cup, I wasn't all that bad. I was fighting for the fifth or sixth place. The two years of National Racing Championship gave me a lot of exposure and experience. Mr. Shiva of Wallace Sports asked me to give a shot at it (JK Tyre Junior Cup). I entered the championship with a will to win and I have now achieved it,” smiles the affable youngster.
Mohit, in the third year of mechanical engineering, was bitten by the racing bug at an early stage. “I was passionate about motorsports right from my childhood. I used to go to Go-Kart centres with my family and friends. That developed my interest further.”
For someone whose family isn't initiated into the sport, his uncle's fetish for cars served as an inspiration. “He used to drive fast and that inspired me as a child. By the time I was in Class six, I learned to drive the car.”
With motorsport being a physically demanding vocation, Mohit's fitness regimen revolves around a “strict diet” and four religious hours at the gym on the days he is not racing.
So how does he manage to do the tightrope of marrying his passion with academics? “I start studying about a month before my exams and revise the portions for a couple of hours everyday.”
Besides spending time on his playstation, Mohit loves to unwind by hanging out with friends. Not surprisingly, long drives are right up there on the list. Is he tempted to pull off fancy stunts on the roads? “No, No, No,” is the lightning-quick response. “I drive very safely,” chuckles the Michael Schumacher admirer.
Mohit's family, though originally from Hyderabad, has settled in Chennai for about two decades now. Acknowledging their support, he feels that striking a balance between studies and racing has helped his cause. His friends have also been a great source of strength to him. “They look up to me for what I have achieved.”
Bright future
According to Mohit, interest in motorsports has picked up considerably over the last few years in India. “There has been a lot of interest thanks to Karun Chandhok's participation in Formula One and Narain Karthikeyan making a comeback. Racers are getting a lot more exposure these days. I am sure there is a bright future for racing in India.”
Quiz him on his F1 aspirations and he is realistic about his chances. “It's too late for me to think about that.”
On his upcoming races, Mohit is excited about getting a free drive in the Formula Swift category of the National Racing Championship in June. “The top three finishers of the Junior Cup get a free drive in the race.
That's a great motivating factor and I am looking forward to competing with experienced drivers. I want to do a good job in the competition,” signs off the confident driver.
Quick takes
Mohit loves to hang out with friends and go for long drives.
His fitness regimen includes four hours in the gym everyday and a strict diet.
He is a third year mechanical engineering student
Mohit's father runs a wholesale fruit business
Go Karting is his first love.
Mohit is looking forward to competing in the Swift category of the National Racing Championship.
