Between cars and clinic

Dr. Bikku Babu is an allergist and a rally driver. Find out how he steers his dual passions skilfully

May 29, 2011 07:03 pm | Updated 07:03 pm IST

Kochi. Kerala's Bikku Babu who won the open class and emerged as the fastest driver in the Maruti Suzuki Cochin Autocross at Nedumbassery.

Kochi. Kerala's Bikku Babu who won the open class and emerged as the fastest driver in the Maruti Suzuki Cochin Autocross at Nedumbassery.

Who says doctors don't have time for hobbies? Dr. Bikku Babu unwinds from his busy career as allergist, immunologist and dermatologist by fastening his car seat belt and speeding away on the rally tracks.

Auto racing was something Bikku was hooked on to right from the time he was a child. His love for the sport grew and evolved and he is now one of the leading rally stars in the country.

Childhood ambition

“It began when I first saw the Himalayan Rally on television as a nine-year-old. I almost decided then that this was what I wanted to do in life. I told my dad about my passion. He (Dr. Babu Jesus) like all parents wanted me to become a doctor and join him in the hospital (Mary Queens Hospital) he was setting up in Thiruvalla. Instead of discouraging me he told me that I could pursue this hobby after I completed my MBBS,” recalls Bikku who, after his father's death, manages the hospital and the two branches in Pathanamthitta and Kochi.

If his father thought that time would douse his passion he was wrong. Bikku was waiting to complete his medical studies to do what he loved most. “Even while I was studying I used to take part in some of the small rallys. Getting a car ready needed a lot of money. I remember how Sarika, who studied with me and later became my life partner, used to help me. I still have some of the equipment she bought for me then .”

First win

Bikku first hit the headlines when he, driving a modified Maruti Esteem, finished runner-up in the National rally championship's novice class in late 2001. “Two important events before this set the pace. The Popular Rally in 2000, which I was leading, got into the final road stretch, but my vehicle broke down near finishing point. The same year I won the Mill and Monsoon Rally at Coimbatore. This was my first national championship win.”

Bikku rates 2001 as a significant year in his rally career. He won his first National championship placing, had sponsors (Qwait Oil) and also drove a car that MRF gave him. His first co-driver was Bijoy but his regular teammate has been Bonnie Thomas, a businessman and a very good driver in his own right. “We have had some wonderful winning moments. For us racing was a never-ending drive to speed past our opponents . We never competed for the heck of it. For us winning was the ultimate .”

For nearly four years from 2003 Bikku took a sabbatical. “My father passed away and the responsibility of the hospital was mine. These four years were spent furthering my medical career.”

Common myths

There are a lot of common myths and misconceptions about allergy even today. “People still believe that long term running nose and sneezing is common cold and would go away after a time. But they don't realise that it can be a condition called Allergic Rhinitis which can worsen, leading to asthma. There are many such misconceptions.

“Ironically, while staying germ-free can prevent the spread of disease and infections, leading a hygienic lifestyle may be responsible for an increase in allergies among children. We call this hygiene hypothesis. With a hygienic lifestyle our bodies no longer need to fight germs as much as they did in the past. As a result, the immune system shifts away from fighting infection to developing more allergic tendencies.”

Returning to racing, Bikku was back to winning ways. “In 2009 I drove one race but was good enough to finish runner-up in the championship.” Bikku's best year so far has been 2010. He completed a hat-trick winning three of the four rallies in the 1400 cc category and finishing runner-up in the national championship for the third time (2001, 2009, 2010). “When we win, we not only win our category but also emerge faster than the higher category cars like Balenos and the Group N Cedias.”

This year Bikku has decided not to hit the road. And he has his reasons. “Rallying is a very expensive hobby and that is why so many talented drivers have opted out of the scene. Sadly, the sponsors are not forthcoming for such a sport. The Federation is making a lot of money but very little filters down to the drivers. The prize money, even for the winners, is just a pittance when compared to what a driver spends on his car, equipment etc. Moreover, I have plunged myself more deep into my medical career, trying to diversify into similar areas.”

For Bikku driving cars and driving them fast is a never-ending passion. But even someone like him often feels the pinch. And if there is one thing he would like to change, it is the attitude of sponsors to the sport and a hope that more youngsters would be bitten by this obsession.

“To the youngsters I have this to say. They must drive responsibly and safely on public roads and keep all the stunts and speed for the rally or race tracks. They should compete in motocross events which will enable them to understand how good or bad a driver he/she is when pitted against the best in the country. This, in all probability, will turn them into safe drivers on road,” Bikku says with a smile.

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