"Visualize a perfect race…Look for gaps… Never use negative words like ‘don’t crash.’” Specially tutored to pursue a winning scenario, 17-year-old Shahaan Engineer implemented the advice to shine out as the highest placed car racing rookie in the single-seaters in the 2012 Formula Renault 2.0 Northern European Cup (NEC). The youngster made an impressive debut to earn the seventh overall ranking from more than 50 entrants, over 95 percent of whom had at least two years of track experience in cars. A rank is conferred depending on a competitor’s performance in 20 NEC races over eight different venues from April to October, 2012 and it is to Shahaan’s credit that he came amongst the first three in two races and earned the coveted position of having his car at the front of the grid in the starting line-up at one of the races.
The only competitor at this event to sport the Indian tricolors, on a brief visit to Bombay last August he showed Parsiana his helmet that had the Indian flag emblazoned on it. His father Sharokh who has been diligently managing his son’s progress on the tracks dutifully presented Shahaan’s portfolio "Engineered for speed” whilst grandparents Cyrus and Katayun Engineer at whose Walkeshwar residence we met the family commended the lad’s discipline. Shahaan’s racing potential surfaced in 2008 when the 12-year-old won his first international karting race in the UAE (see "At home on circuit,” Parsiana, August 21, 2008). Soon thereafter he emerged as a strong contender overseas at events like Euro Max Challenge Karting, KF3 Karting, Formula Kart Stars series and subsequently made his single-seater car debut in end 2011 in the Formula Renault 2.0 Finals Series in the UK. In the coming years he aspires to progress to a full-fledged Formula One (F1) driver, funds permitting.
"Before and after each race,” Shahaan’s performance is analyzed in the Data Room. "A race analysis is like a cardiogram” monitoring every maneuver, reveals Sharokh. Generally a day prior to each competition, participants get a chance to walk down the track. The next morning they have a practice session when they get an opportunity to test their car on the track after which the mechanic makes the necessary adjustments to fine tune the car. Then follows the qualifier round based on which they are assigned positions for the race to follow. At the Formula Renault Finals Series, UK in 2011, Shahaan, then aged 16, had to start two races in the 29th position due to a wiring loom failure in the qualifier. Despite the setback the youngster managed to finish 12th in both the races. As India’s first F1 driver Narain Karthikeyan had then remarked, "No other Indian driver presently has the single-seater raw pace at 16 that Shahaan possesses as he demonstrated when he qualified third from 40 drivers at his first European race in Hockenheim…He definitely has the right attitude with the focus and determination to make it to the ranks of F1.”
Amongst the other disappointments that Shahaan has had to face was being hit from behind by one of the competitors and being forced out of a race. "The ups and downs have taught me to keep the same profile irrespective of the performance,” says the rookie, composure writ on his face. He knows too the importance of leading "a balanced life and to realistically approach problems so that there are no unjustified fears.”
During the first three years of his motor racing career, Shahaan, then living in Dubai had to restrict his international competitions. With mother Nina announcing that Shahaan’s racing would stop unless he received an A grade in school, the committed student of Jess Arabian Ranches in Dubai would put in extra work during lunch time or after school "when there would be no one except the janitor and me” to ensure that he made up for all the days missed because of competition schedules. Besides racing, Shahaan enjoys rock climbing, playing jazz drums and doing gymnastics. When youngsters are into sports "it forces them to better manage their time at school,” has been Sharokh’s observation. Unlike other adolescents who are hooked onto social networking sites, Shahaan’s time on the computer is usually spent doing research on his pet passion. Since last September the teenager has shifted to Leighton Park School in Reading, UK, where he will pursue his interest in psychology, mathematics and physics but will be permitted to miss 100 out of 250 days at school to enable him to focus on competitions. "Feeling grown up,” now that he is eligible to earn a driving license to move around independently, Shahaan is confident, "I will be sensible and not go fast on normal roads.”
"For an athlete to reach the pinnacle of any sport, sponsorship is so essential,” stresses Sharokh who until last year invariably accompanied his son on all his overseas trips, giving priority to Shahaan over his Dubai based business, Carbonic International FZCO. His company offers eco-friendly dry ice solutions that have advanced the cause of the packaging and transportation industry plus provides non-toxic industrial cleaning alternatives to chemical and other environmentally hazardous products. Shahaan’s younger brother Cyrus who is 14 years old has also started showing his mettle on the tracks, being declared UAE vice champion after winning the Junior Max Finale in 2012.
It is not only their parents who spur them. Even grandparents Cyrus and Katayun follow their success avidly. Cyrus senior is convinced that just as his father, the legendary Aspy Merwan Engineer, Chief of Air Staff, won the Aga Khan trophy in 1930 for being the first Indian to fly solo from England to India in a Gypsy Moth when he was only 17, his grandsons will shine on the race circuit.
Shahaan may not have the time or inclination to be involved in affairs of the Parsi community but he does have faith in his prayers. "I have found that my most brilliant overtakes were when I was saying the Yatha Ahu Vairyo prayer,” says Shahaan, surprising even his father who overheard him make the statement.
Early this year Shahaan signed a new deal with reigning champions Fortec Motorsports for the 2013 Formula Renault 2.0 NEC. Last year too he had a contract with them and as acknowledged the youngster on his website
www.shahaan.com he had "an amazing season” thanks to "Ben Salter, my race engineer and Jack Howard, my mechanic providing me with a perfect car all season.” Each race engineer is shared by two cars. Team owner Richard Dutton had earlier commented, "Shahaan did an amazing job and showed true race spirit in his first few races in a race car.”
This year will see the teenager in a new car. It is not only the car that Engineer has to adapt to, it is also the tracks and its corners with which he has to familiarize himself and even the weather. "A track changes minute to minute,” explains Shahaan. When there is a change in humidity the compression ratio in the engine alters. The tyres too react differently depending on the atmospheric conditions. Each race has been a learning experience for Shahaan as was the Rockingham International Super Sports Car Circuit that took place in tough, damp, foggy conditions. Not conversant with such a scenario, he failed to reach the required tyre temperature and suffered a flat spot (when braking causes a locked tyre, burning and subsequent change of tyre shape).
Focussed on improving his performance, the race enthusiast makes sure he spends two hours at the gym each day to remain in shape. With a height of 171 cm (5’7”) and weighing 64 kg, he refuses to pander to his taste buds, maintaining, "Food is just fuel for me.” Like his vehicle, he needs his intake only to keep himself charged. Under the guidance of his mind coach Neil Drew, Shahaan shows optimism and confidence for the future: "There are no problems, only solutions… I am only imagining a positive scenario…”