Senna’s my idol, says Khushlani

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Akhil Khushlani (left).

Akhil Khushlani, 22, returned to competitive racing in style with a second-place finish in Round 10 of the JK Racing Asia Series — a support race to the Formula 1 to promote youngsters — at the Silverstone circuit in the United Kingdom a month ago. The Hyderabad lad had not raced for an year before that.

Karting since he was 10, Khushlani had represented India in the Formula BMW 2007 on the Asian circuit and also holds the record of being the best Indian finisher (fifth) at the world karting championship in Langkawi in 2005.
The youngster, part of the penultimate round of the JK Series at the Buddh International Circuit this weekend, talks about his interests other than racing:

Earliest sporting memory: I took part in my first ever race in 1998, when I was 9. I won the Under-12, Under-16 and came second in the open class at Runway 9, Hyderabad.

Sports played: Apart from racing, I enjoy playing snooker, am an avid swimmer and used to play squash during my school days.

Most memorable sporting moment: When I finished 5th at the World Rotax Championship at Langkawi. I was and still am the first Indian to acquire this position.

Worst sporting moment: My accident in Coimbatore in 2004 where I flipped and broke two of my floating ribs.

Questions most asked by the public/press: What made you get into racing?

Sporting heroes: Artyon Senna

Favourite venues: Silverstone, Malaysia, Spa, India and Abu Dhabi

A sport you would pay to watch: Cricket

Biggest regret: I don’t live a life with regrets. Every experience makes us grow as a person.

Who would you most like to invite to dinner and why? My parents because I would like to express my love and gratitude towards them at every opportunity I get.

Person you learnt most from: My father.

How will you like to be remembered? As a sportsmen who excelled in his profession.

Other interests in your life: I like working out on my body, driving remote control cars that run on fuel and reach speeds up to 120kmph.

What do you never leave home without? My wallet, phone, watch and car keys

A habit you wish to get rid of: I am very lazy!

Favourite actor: Jim Carrey

Any superstition? No

Funniest fan letter/proposal? I once got a mail from somebody asking me if they could accompany me by being a part of my pit crew.

Where do you see yourself in five years? Surely in some kind of high end motorsport championships.

What’s the one thing that frightens you most? Nothing really

What if not a race driver? If not a racer, I would surely take over my dad’s business.