"To be the first ever woman to win a mixed category championship in a saloon car (that has three main compartments, one each for the engine, the passengers and the cargo) on a national level is by no means an easy and effortless feat,” stated 28-year-old Diana Pundole of Poona who drove her Toyota Etios to victory at the Indian National Car Racing Championship on August 18, 2024. She covered the eight laps (distance of 29.6 km) of the third and final race in Madras in 2.03.102 mins as compared to her closest rivals Anirudh Arvind of Madras (2.03.567 mins) and Tarushi Vikram of Chikmagalur (2.03.653 mins), she shared the timings with Parsiana. The event was held under the joint auspices of MRF Tyres, Madras Motor Sports Club and The Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India.
Above and top, center: Diana Pundole on the podium
Standing first in the qualifying round, she started the first race the previous day in the pole position (first) and finished first. In the reverse grid position (where drivers with the most points start last) for the second race, she completed second. "No matter how well one prepares, the challenges one encounters in a reverse grid are beyond anyone’s ability to foresee or try to practice for,” she revealed in her press note. Referring to the mounting internal pressure during the course of a race she stated that "one is left alone to make split second decisions; one wrong move can cause you to lose position and precious championship points.” The Madras International Circuit is considered technical for its "incredibly challenging layout, blind corners, elevations, etc,” she had commented last year (see "Racing ahead,” Sports, Parsiana, July 7-20, 2023).
Pundole who was sponsored by Racetech India said, "I owe it to those who stuck by me through the ups and downs. Each time my critics said I’m not worth it or I can’t do it, just added fuel to that fire which propelled me further into the world of motorsport!” She attributes her success to the support of "a team inspired to work with you, for you, and one you trust to have your best interest at heart.” She believes too that her mother Jasmine Rana’s prayers help her for each race as do the blessings of her late father Darius Buhariwalla.
During the car racing season, if the weather is favorable she practices eight hours a day, two to four days a week, on different tracks, including the one she will be competing on, depending on the availability of the tracks, the car and supporting team. She also undertakes two hours of off-track physical training six days a week. For the young mother of two, such training comes at the cost of "a whole lot of sacrifices where my family, friends and social life is concerned.”
Offering her assistance to other young females who have the aptitude for motorsport, Pundole advises them "to work towards physical and mental fitness while trying to figure out which category of motorsport you are best at. This is an interesting time in motorsport history where women are supported, cheered on and have the guidance they need to trigger their passion in the sport.”
While weighing her options on whether she should next participate in the United Arab Emirates season that starts in November or the European races that commence next June, Pundole acknowledges that it depends on how much time she can devote to traveling and training. "Everyone is very excited and they have started speculating on my progress, but I am under more intense pressure now than I was during the championship I just aced… Being on top of things is hard, staying on top is even harder.”