Medalist in car racing

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Medalist in car racing – Avik Anwar

Steering wheel in hand, brake under foot. The car is speeding. What could be more exciting than that? And that was the thrill that Touhid Anwar got from childhood. This is a car racer in Bangladesh known as Avik Anwar in the international world of Formula Race. The bronze medalist of car racing won the Formula One Track Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia last August. Avik Anwar has emerged on the international medal stage as the first racer of Bangladesh. The young man from Munshiganj finished third in the fourth round of the Malaysian Championship Series.

The way the dream started

Father Anwar Hossain’s has car business. From a young age, he grew up watching cars of different brands. He would often visit his father’s shop and touch the car. Then the hobby woke up to do something different with the car. Then he learned to drive in secret without telling his father. At that time he watched Formula on TV. He watched the running in the blink of an eye of world-renowned racer Michael Schumacher, Mika Hakkinen. One day he dreamed to be like them.

Avik’s car shop in Gulshan, Dhaka. Avik said at 4 September, “I used to watch Formula One on a regular basis. After watching Michael Schumacher’s racing one day, it seemed like, oh, if I could run like that, starting from that.”

Fight with myself

There is no racing track in any of the motorsports in Bangladesh. There is no car racing instructor as well as other facilities. But that did not stop Avik Anwar. He relied on Play station games and simulators. He played Tourismo Sport at the Play Station. Friends would often laugh and say, ‘What if playing these unreal games?’ He couldn’t explain to his friends that how similar the game really is to driving a car. Finally, when I went to Canada for higher studies in 2007, there was a chance to practice.

Car racer Avik Anwar
Car racer Avik Anwar

From the pizza shop to the racing track

Car racing is an expensive sport. Practicing also means big numbers of money. Avi might have taken that money from his father’s bank account. But he didn’t take it. In Canada, he worked at a pizza delivery facility. Sometimes worked at a restaurant, or worked part time in the library. By doing these things he bought a car with saving money. He practiced regularly on the practice track in Canada. Avik also realizes his potential in car racing when he practices. He returned to Dhaka after completing his studies in 2012.

Champion’s aspiration

Avik took part in the rally cross, the only motor sports competition in Bangladesh so far from 20014. Hat-trick champion has been made by him in that car racing competition in Dhaka. But the last time he was ahead of the car in the backdrop a lot. That confidence gives him the courage to race in the international arena, ‘the first twice to be the first to break the micro-second. But when I became a champion in 2016, I saw the second racer lagging behind me for the time being. Then I thought about going to India.

Car Racing
Car Racing

After that, Avik was fourth in the Volkswagen Cup in India at 2017 for the first time participation. Which reflects his confidence in the new breeze; “after being fourth in the Volkswagen Amio Cup, I was inspired. Then I played on the Madras Car Racing track. It was very difficult to play there. But from the beginning of this year, it seemed that I would focus fully on the race. I must win a race.”

Playing after business control

There is no opportunity for practice in the country. So often go abroad for practice. He also drew attention from businessmen for the practice of race. Within a week of practice, he wishes to be disconnected from all social media, including cell phones, Facebook. Then just go from the hotel to the race track, come back to the hotel after practice. During the exercise some data from the race track is provided on the laptop. From there, sitting on a laptop, he sees the weakness of his game. He tries to understand where to improve.

Car racing Competition
Car racing Competition

It is a difficult task to concentrate solely on business, it is clear in Avik’s words, ‘I am playing because I am very interested in racing. But in addition to business, it is very difficult to do. Because, every day, thousands of cars have to be talked about, see banking, LC (Letter of Credit), purchase etc. ‘

Still dreaming

Formula racing is one of the most unusual sports in the country. But even in this game, Avik sees the possibility, ‘It is true that there is no infrastructure in our country. The poverty rate in this country is high. People may think, where many are not able to eat, they are racing. It’s the downside. But the positive side is that if there is really a chance to play, many young people will not get addicted to drugs. Because, I know, young people have a lot of love for cars. The car will then cost you money. They don’t lean towards drugs. The race will also reduce the tendency to run on the road. They will think, they cannot get anything by driving a car. But they will be rewarded by driving a race. Then they will stop driving aloud.

The flag of Bengal on the chest of the world

After winning a medal in Malaysia, Avik was in the dreaming world, ‘I couldn’t believe it in the beginning. Believe me later, I got it. I told myself that after two years, the dream finally came true.’ The path of the Formula One track in Bangladesh started with Avik’s hand. Who knows maybe one day a red-green flag will fly at the Formula One Championship. Life is speed; there is nothing to stop here. Avik is a symbol of that momentum. He does not want to stop. Want to run further.