At just 23 years old, Nikeetaa Takkale, a native of Pune, has carved out an extraordinary path in the world of motorsport racing. Her journey into the thrilling world of racing began with a twist of fate, leading her to a remarkable career in a relatively short span of time. Starting her professional rally driving career at the tender age of 21, Nikeetaa has since achieved an impressive collection of 99 trophies, including the esteemed motorsport award for emerging Indian women in 2022. As the sole female driver representing India in the upcoming Asian Pacific Rally Championship (APRC), Nikeetaa is not only making waves in the motorsport world but also inspiring young women to pursue their passions in this traditionally male-dominated field.
Raised in an environment she describes as “not-so-conventional,” Nikeetaa explored various career avenues before her serendipitous introduction to motorsports during a visit to an autocross event in Pune. It was at this event that she crossed paths with coach Chetan Shivram, whose encouragement ignited her passion for racing. Looking back, Nikeetaa reminisces, “He encouraged me to try autocross for fun, and I instantly fell in love with it.” Although motorsport was not her initial career choice, her father’s unwavering support and her newfound love for cars led her on a different path. With an impressive collection of approximately 70 trophies won within a year, Nikeetaa quickly began to leave her mark on the sport.
While motorsport is steadily gaining popularity in India, it remains an expensive passion to pursue. Nikeetaa acknowledges this challenge, stating, “Undoubtedly, motorsport demands substantial funds, often associating the sport with the affluent. However, what truly matters is the courage and confidence to handle a sports car. I remain optimistic that the sport will become more accessible, enabling many more enthusiasts to participate.”
In addition to being a qualified cosmetologist and fashion designer, Nikeetaa has now dedicated herself to inspiring the youth, particularly young girls, to take up motorsports. She aspires to turn her passion into a full-fledged career and has set her sights on the World Racing Championship next year, following her participation in the APRC in Indonesia this November. Expressing her ambitions, she says, “I’ve never been one to stick with a single pursuit for life. I’ve made numerous changes along the way, but it’s only motorsport that has provided me with the enduring thrill to pursue it long-term. I have numerous goals on my horizon.”
While strides have been made toward inclusivity in the world of sports, there’s still a long road ahead. Nikeetaa underscores the importance of fostering an inclusive environment, remarking, “Motorsport remains predominantly male-dominated, but that doesn’t deter me. Your space as a woman in this field is carved when you compete with men and stand on the podium beside them, providing equal competition.” When asked if she has encountered additional challenges as a woman in her racing career, she responds, “I’ve never felt that way. The key people in my journey, my father and trainer, are men, and their unwavering support has been incredible. I’ve never been pushed to do anything I wasn’t comfortable with. My focus has always been on excelling in whatever I pursue. That’s how I’ve continued to achieve and will continue to do so.”
In her brief but eventful career as a racer, Nikeetaa has learned to embrace victories and gracefully accept losses. She places great emphasis on maintaining a positive outlook, stating, “In sports, not every day results in victory. Some days belong to you, while others belong to someone else. The crucial thing is to hold onto the confidence that the next day will be yours. From this sport, I’ve gained the ability to turn adversity in my favor. I’ve learned to be more optimistic.”
