I want to race for as long as I can

CHENNAI: Chennai-based racer Vishnu Prasad is maintaining his cool and chilling out, despite the finals of a championship round the corner. He exudes confidence, even as he goes about his daily routine of attending classes at SRM University, tuitions and gym sessions. He hopes that the rain gods will intervene in the finals of the Volkswagen Polo R Cup India 2011, which will be held at the Irungattukottai race track at Sriperumbudur on November 26 and 27. He believes that his experience of racing during rains will come in handy to him. “I was trailing in the second race of round two of the championship, when the rain gods intervened. Thanks to my experience of racing in wet conditions, I managed to beat the others and win the race,” says Vishnu, who currently tops the chart with 320 points after five rounds. “I hope that the rain gods come to my rescue  again during the finals and help me out,” he smiles.  A self-confessed fan of Michael Schumacher, Vishnu is looking forward to racing for the Sirocco Cup next year. Racing is in Vishnu's genes. His father used to rally, and Vishnu attributes everything he knows about racing to him. “It was my father who introduced me to motorsports. He taught me how to hold the wheel and all the techniques that are required in racing. I've been behind the wheels since I was seven years old,” he recollects. Ask him whether expectations from his father bogs him down and he replies, “I started with go-karting, and also played other sports such as football and cricket. There were expectations to do well in motorsports. But if I lost a race, we just used to move on. Personally, I do look forward to making a career in motorsports and race for as long as I can.” Racing is what this shy 18-year-old dreams day in and day out. He finished sixth in the Polo Cup series held in China early October. Earlier, he had four wins at the Roto Max National Championship and represented India in the world finals in Egypt. His focus is now on formula cars and looks up to Armaan Ebrahim and Narain Karthikeyan for guidance and inspiration. “Narain and Armaan have always been helpful. They have given me some valuable tips,” he says. He has  been training under Akbar Ebrahim, father of Armaan Ebrahim, for the past many years. But with this success story comes the pain of staying away from home for months together.  He has to mostly travel alone, as  it is too expensive for him to take someone along, he says. “It has been like this for 10 years now,” he dismisses the issue in a matter-of-fact manner. Because, all that this young shy racer wants is to be on the track and win as many races as possible!