Q & A with young racer Abha Mankar

Young prodigy Abha Mankar certainly has a bright future in the world of racing and has proved this with various podium finishes. Here, she speaks to iSport in a carefree interview.

General

Q: What drives you : Dad

Q: What's your ultimate aim in life : To Be Counted

Q: Dream car? The Prancing Horse :D

Q: Dream driver? Micheal Schumacher

Q: F1 or WRC? : F1 !

On personal experiences

Q: What age did you start? 11

Q: Your first victory? 1st podium Amaron season 1 ,2007, round 2 Bangalore

Q: Your worst race? Amaron Grand Finale season 1, Goa

On her tragic accident

Q: Describe as you went through the scenes? What did you see? How did you react?
A: Well...it was the first lap and I was almost in the process of overtaking the kart in front of me, when i suddenly saw something, kind of big, fly out of someone's kart a little ahead. For a few seconds the object had vanished and then the next thing I knew was that something rammed into my helmet, really hard. I felt this sudden gush of pain and the kart was still moving, and I held my hand at my nose, not realizing that my visor had broken, and I saw my gloves were soaked in blood. I dont quite know how, but I somehow managed to go off the track.

I stood in the seat, by this time I was almost crying.I removed my helmet and saw there was no visor,and I saw my steering wheel was badly bent towards the seat. I kept the helmet aside and I was trying to make some signals indicating I am hurt, but for 3 or 4 laps the officials did not come to know as all this had happened on the far side of the track. I gave up on trying to call them and touched my nose to see whether it was broken...I moved it ..and it moved..more than it should have! That, and the sight of all the blood scared me. After 2 laps the marshals had come and I just fell..though I think I could have stood..Then the race was red flagged and I saw Akbar uncle coming running towards me shouting for the ambulance into the walkie talkie. Then the ambulance came and I was taken to the hospital, where I underwent cosmetic surgery, and my nose was put back into place!

Q: When are you getting back on track again? We hear that you're really keen to do so right away!
A: ASAP!!! Of course I am very keen to do so! I am really really looking forward to getting permission from the doctor to do the upcoming race in July, JK Tyres Rotax Max round 2 In Brand new APR Colours.

Q: Anybody you'd like to thank for helping you in your 'accident phase'?
A: As you know I had travelled alone to Coimbatore.I would really like to thank FMSCI, LG Sports , Hardy Uncle, Rayo, and my APR team mate, Nikhil's mom, Shayla aunty for being there throughout, and all the people who came to visit me at the hospital. And not to forget Dr. Ramasamy and his team at GK Hospital, who did a wonderful job and saved me from roaming around with a crooked nose!!! All the kings horses and all the kings men put back my nose up again!!! LOL

Q: A message for all the motorsport lovers on iSport - And when do they get to see you race next!
A: Please Support me & bookmark this page, I promise you a lot of action!! (smiles) Will be back on track ASAP.

We wish Abha a speedy recovery!