Fast forward to Formula 4

Selected for India’s first all-women team to compete in the Formula 4 category at the 21st JK Tyre Federation of Motor Sports Club of India (FMSCI) National Racing Championship, Diana Pundole of Poona was looking forward to the final round at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida over the third weekend this November. Formula 4 is an open-wheel racing car category intended for young drivers bridging the gap between karting and Formula 3. "This was my first time on a new international track… I managed to do reasonably well in Race 1 and 2 but had a mechanical failure in Race 3 (on November 18) and had to come back into the pit before the race ended,” said the 29-year-old enthusiast.
"I knew my interest and passion for driving and racing was going to fall into perspective as soon as I read about a nationwide Talent Hunt… for women… circulated on the WZCC (World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce) WhatsApp group,” related Pundole in an email to Parsiana. The six-member Ahura Racing team of women drivers had been training rigorously twice a month since the team’s selection by Sarosh Hataria of Coimbatore, in June 2018. In an interview with Pune Mirror, she gave credit to Hataria three times national racing champion, for being "the biggest catalyst in triggering this storm within me to prove myself worthy of all the efforts that he puts into our individual progress and development as racers.”
"Being first timers with no prior track racing experience our drivers did very well… at the most prestigious racing event in the country, driving amongst the best racing drivers in the country… to finish the year between and ahead of a few of the boys out there. That reassurance is all I was looking for going into 2019,” 38-year-old Hataria responded to Parsiana’s queries. "Motorsport, like most sports, is predominantly male dominated as it is a very physically demanding sport,” added the team principal.
The inspiration to form an all-women’s team was his mother Uma who took part in the All India Motor Race Meet, driving against men in the stock car class. She finished second in 1996 and came back stronger to win the race in 1997. "That was the last time I saw an Indian woman on the podium in a car race against men. My mom and I felt it was about time someone made that happen again and here we are today doing just that,” revealed Sarosh.

Although motorsport is growing in popularity with the last round of the 2018 JK Tyre National Racing Championship seeing a turnout of 30,000 or more spectators, it is an expensive sport. As stated Sarosh, "We have spent over a crore of rupees on the team and towards sponsorships for all our six drivers, six reserve drivers, their training/testing programs and racing costs for the year 2018. They have now showcased the race-craft and the racing skills that they have honed this year. As a result we are now beginning to see some keen interest coming in from sponsors.” Hoping to receive support from Parsi organizations and also to see more young Parsi women who have a passion for cars and speed enroll for the 2019 Talent Hunt, Sarosh mentioned that his plans for the future are "to mentor and create not one but multiple racing champions and help them make a career in the sport nationally and internationally and hopefully have them represent India at the highest level of the sport.”
To prepare herself for the event, Pundole spent a minimum of 1.5 to two hours a day on physical and mental fitness. Every month she would travel to Coimbatore to practice three to four sessions of 30 minutes each on the Kari Motor speedway. In terms of financial investment, she has spent three to four lakhs on FMSCI approved racing gear, licences, track charges and fees, travel and advances against vehicular damage.
During her college days at the Nowrosjee Wadia College, Pundole had started riding a motorcycle, and with her penchant for pace, on her first Harley-Davidson, the Sportster Forty Eight, she participated in the Harley Owners’ Group Rally. She enjoyed riding Fat Boy too. Even before she lay her hands on LGB (Formula LGB is a series of single seater, open wheel class race cars), she had driven a Ferrari 488 GTB and a BMW M4 coupe.
"Life has changed for the better,” maintains the young mother of two who married Hormuz when she was 21 and had her first born four months prior to her Masters examination in English literature. "My family and I are very excited that I am doing well and chasing my dreams… I have always been an avid traveler and I cannot emphasize more on the excellent support system I have always had in the form of a loving and hands-on family who take over the children’s responsibilities when I am away,” she revealed. Besides helping out at the family firm C. T. Pundole and Sons, Diana who believes in "living life to the fullest” also makes time for her other hobbies — painting, gardening, cooking, singing in the Bel Canto choir and playing the piano.
Viewing herself as an "orthodox Parsi Zoroastrian,” she mentions, "I take great pride in my faith, its culture, integrity and heritage.”