Breaking gender stereotype, Gosia reigns in racing arena

Racing is one of the male-dominated sports, however, breaking the gender stereotype, Gosia Rdest from Poland, proved that women are no less in achieving their goals by participating in the X1 Racing League which was held in Chennai. She represented the Hyderabad team along with few of the other racers.

In an exclusive interview, Gosia Shares her passion towards racing and struggling in male-dominated sports.

When was the time that you felt to take racing as your career?

Actually, motorsport started by coincidence, I had gone to an inter-track driving and honestly, I just fell in love with the sport.

I just loved it and thanks to it, that I am here representing Hyderabad Blackbirds and also being a part of Neeru's.

I have been racing for ten years now, I started karting and then I moved to touring kart. Last year, I have beaten the European touring kart and won at other places. It is a great adventure and I am enjoying every single bit of it.

Where did you first start racing?

I started it in my native country, Poland. I was taking part in an indoor karting league and then I had a bet with my father that if I will be on the podium for the indoor karting league, he will buy me a go-kart.

Then we bought a go-kart and started doing go-karting. I became a nation champion and this is how the journey continues.

Women are stereotyped in this sport did you face the same in your career?

Yes! Of course, I have faced all kinds of opposition, there were comments that I am a woman and women can't drive, and people questioned why I want to risk my life.

But it the adventure and risk involved that thrills me and I love it. If you want to go for your passion in male-dominated arena, then you have to be thick skinned.

You cannot take carry negative comments, I learnt to listen with one ear and remove it from another. You need to be 100 percent sure before trying to break gender stereotype mentality and choosing a career in that field to prove to people that you can do it.

You need to trust yourself and your skills and then when there is dedication and passion everything is in your court.

How many races have you participated?

I would say quite a few, almost 100 (laughs).

How is working with the team Hyderabad?

So far working with Blackbirds Hyderabad is really amazing. I really liked the company of teammates and also, people are very friendly here.

Did you have the fear of risking your life?

Of course! I did, but you know you should not have fear because fear kills yourself and stops you in achieving something. If I think about risk I would be slower in my profession, but I don't have space for that.

The skill and years of experience I have I got to do it. I have already had an experience like this when I broke my leg in the Netherlands league, but I never felt like giving up, I cannot live without racing.

This defines my whole life, even when I stop racing, I will be somewhere involved in it by helping younger drivers, especially females by telling them even you belong to this world.

What message you give for women you want to get into this sport?

I would ask them to definitely give it a try, I know that in India there are organisations who support women in motor sport. They can fulfil their dreams and be unstoppable.

What are your future plans?

My goal is to race in DTM championship, it's a a touring championship in Germany which is very professional. So, in a few years' time this is what I want to achieve.