Woman Spotlight Wednesday: Alisha Abdullah

Written by Kavi Khandelwal, Edited by Vyas Ponnuri

Credit: Alisha Abdullah on Instagram

Women have played an influential role throughout the history of motor racing. Many have taken to the wheels of motorsport machines, while numerous figures have worked tirelessly on the sidelines in various roles, shaping the motor racing world to the present day. 

Woman Spotlight Wednesday aims to take a look at the tales of these superwomen, who have surpassed various hurdles to reach where they are today. In this article, we spotlight a youngster hailing from the world’s most populous nation, breaking barriers at a young age. 

The piercing shriek of tyres, the blur of speed and the sudden jarring silence of a devastating crash shook the world on one fine day in 2010. Alisha Abdullah lived through these moments, but they were profound crucibles that forged her indomitable spirit. 

Challenging males in a local superbike competition, Abdullah met with an accident on her 600cc bike, prompting a hiatus from bike racing. However, as much as it hurt her, this setback became a testament to her profound strength, foreshadowing a journey marked by pure resilience and the drive to follow her passion. 

Abdullah is a true pioneer in Indian motorsport. She is the nation’s first female national racing champion. Her story is set in breaking deep-seated societal and patriarchal barriers in a male-dominated sport. A compelling story, it embodies the significant progress toward attaining true inclusivity and equality in motorsport. 

Abdullah’s story is one of courage, conviction and the relentless pursuit of a dream against all odds, one that resonates far beyond the confines of a racetrack.

Born to burn rubber – the early years

Born in Chennai in 1989, Abdullah’s formative years and childhood were always associated with the pulse of motorsport. Her father, RA Abdullah, is a renowned motorcycle racer and a seven-time national champion. 

At the tender age of eight, Abdullah was captivated by the machinery, speed and action of racing. Her passion was actively nurtured by her father, who even gifted her a small bike, leading to an early, hands-on exposure. This, along with her father’s direct encouragement, was foundational for her career.

Abdullah’s fascination turned into active participation as she began her karting journey, aged nine. Her innate talent shone through, translating into victories in karting at the age of 11. 

Abdullah’s natural talent continued to shine, as she clinched the prestigious MRF National Go-Karting Championship at 13, earning the Best Novice Award in national-level Formula Car Racing along the way. She continued to impress, scoring a fifth-place finish in the JK Tyre National Racing Championship in 2005 at the age of 15.

Switching tracks – The rise through bike racing

Alisha Abdullah [right] and her father R.A. Abdullah [left] | Credit: Alisha Abdullah on Instagram

In 2004, Abdullah made the bold switch to motorbike racing, a significant pivot driven by passion and pragmatism, since formula car racing was extremely expensive. 

On her 18th birthday, Abdullah’s father gifted her a 600cc superbike, cementing her path and affirming that motorsports was indeed her “true vocation”. She began competing confidently with male bikers on these powerful machines, despite having less experience than her peers.

Her path in this male-dominated sport proved very difficult, and Abdullah faced a lot of negative comments as her male competitors “didn’t take it easily when a girl overtook them.” 

Many critics openly questioned Abdullah’s presence in the sport and doubted her abilities “just because [she is] a woman” to which she famously stated: “I thank them all, though, because they have made me stronger today.” Male racers often made disparaging remarks after races which only fueled her determination to prove them wrong.

Abdullah’s career is adorned with numerous achievements on two and four wheels. She made history by becoming the first Indian woman to achieve a podium finish in the International Motorsport Competition 2014 Toyota VIOS Cup in Thailand. Abdullah also secured first place in the National Women Racing Championship in 2017. She has garnered over 80 awards throughout her illustrious racing career.

After the terrible accident on her superbike in 2010 caused Abdullah to step away from motorbike racing for a few years, she once again shifted her focus to car racing. The undeniable pull of her first love brought her back to the two wheel category after an eight-year hiatus. 

“The risks are higher with bikes,” she stated. “But the thrill and excitement are higher as well.” The continuous process of confronting fear and transforming negative experiences into motivation is a defining feature of her pioneering journey. 

Abdullah has a formidable mindset and lives by the principle of pushing her limits daily. She emphasises discipline, hard work and a strategic approach, advising aspiring racers: 

“Don’t let your ego into the picture when you’re on track because it can cause harm to fellow racers. Just focus on your goal and be smart.” She views each challenge as an opportunity for growth, forging her into a person with a singular resolve: “If I have to get into the field, I have to win and come out of it.” 

More than a racer – Mentor, leader and icon

Credit: Alisha Abdullah on Instagram

Looking back at the immense barriers Abdullah faced, along with the scarcity of opportunities for aspiring females, it was only fitting for her to set up the Alisha Abdullah Racing Academy in Chennai in 2014. It is a direct manifestation of her profound vision to see “more and more women race in our country”. The academy aims to have a direct, proactive response to the rough path and financial difficulties encountered by Abdullah herself. 

While the core mission of the racing academy is to provide crucial training, mentoring and track experience, the vision to make motorsport a more inclusive place extends far beyond women just taking to the track. This also aims to help women access more technical and support roles in the world of motorsport. 

The academy has made many significant strides, with approximately 85 girls part of the academy from various corners of the country. Several systemic challenges remained, though, such as crippling financial barriers, securing sponsorships for female drivers and the reluctance of parents to send young girls into an adventurous field of motorsport. 

The racing academy brings to light the teething issues that continue to hamper widespread female participation and advancement in Indian motorsport. It’s not only inspiring achievements, but also sustained, collaborative efforts to dismantle the economic and cultural barriers to have more women in motorsport.

Alisha Abdullah Racing Academy aims to provide a vital, structured pathway for girls who otherwise lack access and resources to pursue their racing dreams.

Outside the circuit – Politics, advocacy and public life

Credit: Alisha Abdullah on Instagram

Abdullah’s public profile extends beyond the racetrack. She leveraged her real-life character and her passion for bikes in her brief but notable cameo in the 2014 Tamil film ‘Irumbu Kuthirai’, playing the role of a biker gangster in the two-hour movie. 

She was appointed as the Tamil Nadu State Women President of the National Human Rights Anti-Crime and Anti-Corruption Bureau in 2020, remaining committed to resolving social issues.

In September 2022, Abdullah joined the Tamil Nadu unit of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in September 2022. Abdullah’s ambition has always remained to become a Member of Parliament, and she intends to leverage her political platform to support women in sports by implementing and framing policies for the same. She has been identified as the state secretary of the BJP’s sports and skill development cell as well. 

She is also an extremely sought-after motivational speaker, sharing compelling anecdotes from her own journey and discussing the challenges she faced along her motorsport journey, in a bid to inspire her audience to carve their own paths. 

Abdullah actively advocates for vital civic causes, especially organ donation, even pledging her own organs at MOHAN Foundation, emphasising that “a single person can save up to eight lives.” These diverse activities reflect her expansive vision of empowerment and commitment to activism.

Abdullah was honoured with the ‘First Ladies’ award by the Ministry of Women and Child Development in 2018, presented to her by President Ram Nath Kovind, for proving to be a trailblazer in Indian motorsports. 

However, her path of advocacy was not without its challenges. In November 2024, Abdullah publicly exposed a sexual harasser, criticising the police for their lack of speedy action in ensuring women's safety. Her efforts repeatedly emphasised the challenges women face, by virtue of gender and systematic failures when it came to personal safety were experienced by prominent women in India as well.

Abdullah continues to be a prominent figure in Indian motorsport, actively coaching and mentoring young and talented females through her academy, taking the opportunity to advocate for crucial road safety awareness along the way 

She profoundly demonstrates how the fight for fundamental safety and equality extends far beyond the symbolic victories on the racetrack, through her advocacy and social work exploits.