With Autogespot we are working more on providing you with unique stories from all over the world. Recently our partners from Automobili Ardent spoke with Amer Beg. Tête-à-tête with the first and only race car driver from India to participate in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia Series.
1. A short insight into Amer Beg, the background and the life he led before getting into the racing world.
I was and believe I still am a regular guy, just like anyone else. I finished my schooling in India (10th from Bishop Cotton Boys' School, Bangalore. And 12th from Hyderabad Public School, Hyderabad) and went to Canada to pursue my graduation (University of Western Ontario) in finance. I was working with a company called Rogers in Toronto when I first got into motorsports.
2. Were cars always a passion since during your early years or was it later in life that you found your calling?
Cars have always been a passion of mine and will always be a part of me. Ever since I can remember, I was into cars. Its strange because nowadays when I get to meet and race alongside some high profile racing legends, I go up and ask for a picture or an autograph and they're weirded out by it, but thats because I was always an enthusiast before racing became a career for me.
3. What made you get into racing, a sport with less than a fraction of the fan following as compared to other sports in the country?
I think everyone has a talent within them and its for them to dwell within and find that. Racing is that for me. In India, yes, we do struggle for the sort of viewership sports like cricket get, but I dont think I ever got into this for the fan following. Its about doing what I love and what I'm good at.
4. Could you help us feel what you experience in a lap? What is the feeling?
I know racecars are mighty loud (except for the new F1 cars), but within the helmet is eerily quiet and the loudest thing you feel is your heartbeat. A racecar driver's heart rate stays around 160-170bmp constantly and thats quite high considering the duration of a race. Every lap is precision, and you've got to know how to handle the constant changes due to tyre wear or lowering fuel quantities. The car can handle differently from lap to lap.
5. What do you focus on when you are in such a high-speed situation?
As a race car driver your focus isnt just on driving fast but there are a number of variables that you've got to keep your eye on: fuel pressure engine temperature, optimal shift points, etc. Its quite mentally demanding on a driver.
6. Talking about speed and concentration,do you feel it as a certain challenge and do you like it? If so, what brings about this feeling of satisfaction in speed?
I love the challenge of motorsports. Its incredibly demanding both physically and mentally. Physically when you brake from 300kmph to almost 40kmph within 100mts your organs internally want to come crashing out. The G-forces are incredible. There's something about being on the very limit of both man and machine that is absolutely thrilling. Its a crazy feeling coming up within inches of a car at 300kmph and overtaking. That rush cant be replicated.
7. What is your definition of speed?
Speed is a relative term. I was driving the latest Lamborghini Huracan recently and touched 300kmph effortlessly. Speed and its joy can truly be taken in around a corner. How quickly you get around the bend and the G-forced felt while carrying that speed through the corner. Joy is not around the corner, its IN the corner.
8. Could we talk about risk or perception of risk in your particular sport? What do you think about security and risk in high-speed situations?
Yes, I would be lying if I said there isnt risk involved in racing. As a racecar driver you block that out. A tiny bit of fear is a good thing so you dont do anything silly. The greatest safety factor we have is knowing that there are other drivers with us that have been qualified (licensed) to race and know what they are doing. Unfortunately in India, I've seen some crazy racecar drivers and our federation doesnt do enough to suspend or ban them. I definitely dont recommend going at high speeds on regular streets where we have other innocent civilians.
9. Can we talk about your mental preparation before, during and after a race? What do you do and what do you need?
It's an extremely nervous time, going into a race, irrespective of how many races you do. Leading up to the race, I usually 'zone out' for a while and do a mental lap of the circuit, my start and how I see it unfold. I tend to stay extremely calm and dont let the anxiety get to me, because that can hamper your reaction times and ability to do whats required. During the race we lose quite a bit of weight through dehydration and this can result in disorientation, so its important to drink lots of fluids. You get out of the car after a race totally drained and most times with a headache because you've used up every ounce of energy available.
10. Do you focus on nutrition a lot? Could we have an insight into a racer drivers meal pattern and a pre-race routine that has to be followed?
You mean in between the biryani and the qubaani ka meetha ? hahaha... Nutrition does play a key factor in a racecar drivers diet. I will put my hand up first and say that I am guilty to this and though I work out hard, I tend to binge on anything thats non-healthy. But two weeks prior to a race, I stop that and focus on a strict diet that consists of upto 6 small meals through the day. Ofcourse before the race, we take in loads of fluids and I eat very little, maybe just a salad.
11. Could you tell me about the best and the worst situation in training or in a race? In your career or in one race, or two different races where you were very satisfied with what happened and one situation where you were dissatisfied.
The best feeling in motorsports was in my first year of karting. I never thought I would do so well and before I knew it, I had made it to the grand finals. I was the only rookie and I had out qualified all the pro's by about 0.5 second for race 1. Won race 1. In race 2, I out qualified them by nearly 3 seconds (steep learning curve), but due to my own error I went off track, came back on and overtook almost everyone and finished 2nd. I won the championship thanks to the 1-2 finish.
My worst moment in racing was in 2011. I was asked to come on and be a part of a team in the MRF International Challenge in the F1600 races. I had previously finished 2nd in the championship in 2010 and this time when I turned up, the team manager gave me a terrible car, the engineer wouldnt set up it up according to my feedback and to make things worse, I was asked to give up my position in the race to my teammates who were behind me. I hated being there. I skipped 2012 for that reason and in 2013 I came back and again finished 2nd in 2 of the 3 races I participated in.
12. Having driven road legal Lamborghini's and the track-only versions, could you share your first hand views on what exactly are the differences between two machines from the same manufacturer?
The road legal Lamborghini's are brilliant to drive. They are extremely refined. Thats the first thing you will realise about the race Lamborghini's. They are totally stripped down and built for a purpose, to go fast! There isnt much in the way of refining them and you definitely dont have the comforts of an air conditioner or radio for music. The race Lamborghini's are quite unforgiving as they deliver the power in a brute way without any of the refinement so you've got to be entirely focused. Its truly like taming a mad bull.
13. What does your current garage look like? That is one thing the fans would love to know.
I've got a simple garage. I have a Zen Classic, Chevy Cruze and a Honda S2000.
14. What is the the one car that can be termed as your favorite?
In my garage I love the S2000, but otherwise its got to be the new Lamborghini Huracan.
15. What is your dream car?
The Lamborghini Sesto Elemento would have to be my dream car.
16. What is the one thing/person that motivates you to keep on going , no matter whether you win or lose in the races?
As any child would want, I too want the same, for their parents to be proud of them. I also have a 1yr old daughter, Sehr, and she motivates me like no other. Its to leave behind a legacy that she can be proud off. And thats what keeps me going.
17. Message to the budding racers and the petrolheads out there in India.
Please take your need for speed to a controlled environment and please don't speed on our streets. Even if you feel you are in control, perhaps the person you are racing with doesnt have your abilities and there could be that someone trying to go home on a bicycle after a hard days work to his family. Don't make them a victim.
Also, dont give up on your passion. With persistence and dedication you can get there. They will tell you, "You cant do it", "You wont do it", but later, they'll ask you "How did you do it?"... Trust me!
Many thanks to Automobili Ardent and Amer Beg
