Having experience of being a motorsport driver in New Delhi, Nabeel Anwar Mir has dominated the snow autocross events held in Kashmir since last two years.
Out of the four snow autocross events held in Kashmir since last two years, Nabeel has emerged winner in three while in the fourth event he had no chance of competing equally due to technical reasons.
After having bagged two titles earlier, Nabeel made it three motorsport titles by winning the Snow Splash event conducted by J&K Police at Gulmarg recently. Nabeel last year finished first in both Frozen Rush and Snow Autocross held in Gulmarg.
A Delhi trained motorsport driver who started taking part in the motorsport for the fun in year 2004 has also won couple of events in Delhi.
“I was studying in Delhi in year 2004 and during that time I started taking part in motorsport events for the fun. With the passage of time I learnt quite a bit of tricks of the sport and unknowingly turned into pro. I was declared first and fastest car on track in all categories in year 2005 and 2008 in Delhi,” Nabeel said.
“After coming back to Kashmir, I couldn’t find the opportunity to continue my passion of motorsport as there was no platform available. But since last year, events have started to be conducted in Kashmir. Last year Frozen Rush and Snow Autocross were held in Gulmarg. Then again Frozen Rush and now recently Snow Splash were conducted. As for as motorsport is concerned things are happening now. These events gave me rebirth as a motorsport driver and I am enjoying it,” he said.
Nabeel rues not making it four out of four titles in the events held at Gulmarg and said, “I would have loved to get four out of four titles. However, it was more of technical issue rather than performance. There was hardly any snow for the event in Gulmarg during Frozen Rush-2. There was no classification between powerful vehicles and lesser ones. So it was never about technicality and anyone who had powerful car was in contention for the trophy. That is what happened but still I have no qualms about it”.
He said that it is good thing motorsport events have started to be held in Kashmir which is good for both its lovers as well as for tourism.
“We never had our own indigenous motorsport events before. Raid de Himalaya used to pass through Kashmir but was conducted by Himachal based organization. Now we have our own motorsport event organizers. It provides motorsports lovers and drivers chance to watch and showcase their talent in their own backyard. Apart from that it is really big thing for tourism sector,” he said.
“Motorsport attracts lot of tourists to the places where it is conducted. We are still in infancy, if everything goes smoothly I am sure Kashmir will become hub of motorsport in India which will boost our tourism,” he said.
About the talent, he said, “There is enthusiasm and passion among the drivers but it is in technicality they lag behind. Once they get used to the events and learn things bit by bit I am sure we will see Kashmiri drivers competing in bigger events”. (Courtesy Greater Kashmir)