Winning races no big deal for this 66-year-old!

Winning a motorsport race is a moment you cherish for your life; something you want to share with the grandchildren. While most racers would have to wait a fair amount of time to tell tales of their conquests to their grandkids, 66-year-old B Vidya Prakash doesn't need to say a word - his grandchildren come to watch the races! Rohit Bhaskar reports.

Winning a motorsport race is a moment you cherish for your life; something you want to share with the grandchildren. While most racers would have to wait a fair amount of time to tell tales of their conquests to their grandkids, 66-year-old B Vidya Prakash doesn't need to say a word - his grandchildren come to watch the races!

HT Image

When the Coimbatore racer, who was has been racing competitively for 44 years, won the Indian Touring Car Race 1 at the Kari Motor Speedway here on Saturday his 10-year-old grandson was there to share the moment. However, the youngster was more interested in the cars in the tin-car garage than his own grandpa's triumph. "He doesn't understanding racing, but gets excited when he sees the cars," Vidya Prakash tells HT. While most people his age would be living a comfortable retired life, Vidya Prakash says the joy of racing keeps him going.

Does he get puzzled looks from fellow drivers when he takes off his helmet to reveal a wrinkled face? "Most of them have been competing with me for the past 10-15 years, so everyone knows me well. Of course, every now and then a rookie driver comes along and is puzzled to see a grandfather behind the wheel of the car," he says.

Asked how he keeps up with the physical and mental rigors of motorsport, he says, "I go to the gym. I also do a lot of stretching and keep my limbs loose."

Asked if he ever thinks of calling it a day, the businessman says, "I will only stop if I'm not in a financial position to support my racing anymore."