Avik: The awards we got should be praised since we don’t have any infrastructure

Bangladesh professional racer Avik Anwar has recently been all over the headlines after clinching podiums in the first round of the Malaysia Championship Series 2023. In Race 1 of the round, Avik finished second while in Race 2, the 36-year old placed first to create history for Bangladesh. Following the races, Dhaka Tribune’s Minhaz Uddin Khan, who attended the event in Malaysia, interviewed Avik where he spoke about his dream and passion for a sport that is still unfamiliar to Bangladesh. Below are the excerpts:

Thanks for joining Dhaka Tribune for this interview here in Malaysia. We already know you have secured back-to-back podiums in two races of Round 1 in Malaysia Championship Series. How has been your experience so far?

Experience has been good. It was hindered a bit as I had to guide along [budding racer] Aiman [Sadat]. It is hard to focus on your own race but I had to guide another racer so it was challenging. But it is okay, it is what it is.

I thought I started back in 1999 but at that time there was no [motorsport] infrastructure in Bangladesh. My father also did not agree initially as this can never be a career path coming from Bangladesh. Eventually there was a rallycross in Bangladesh in 2014 which I won as an underdog. I also won the next two editions of the competition. In 2017, I thought of participating in international events so I went to a competition in India and finished fourth. Since then, I kept on participating in international events but got my first podium in 2019 after I changed my strategy and focused on racing. Alhamdulillah, the first podium came as a race win.

Like you said, racing was hard to pick as a career in Bangladesh. It is still the same as nothing much has developed in this sector. How does one start the journey now?

It is to be honest very simple now. It was tough back in the days for us. You can enroll in any driving school in India to train, obtain the racing license and start participating in competitions in India. After completing 10 races in India, one can apply for international racing license and participate in events globally. It will cost about Tk4 lakhs to obtain this license.

Do you think this sport will gain popularity in Bangladesh in the coming years?

Racing was never meant to get mass popularity because this sport has many rules and technical regulations. One has to enjoy this sport only after understanding the regulations. Cricket and football are straightforward sports. You cheer when you score a goal or hit a six but in racing you cheer only after winning the race. But once you get hooked to racing other forms of sports will be less interesting for you, that I will say.

How do you maintain yourself, given that there is no motorsport infrastructure in Bangladesh?

There has been zero infrastructure in this sector. What we do is professional racing, and it doesn’t involve street racing. It is not at all true that you will do well in professional racing if you are street racer. We have no option but to practice with our racing simulators at home. One track day abroad is very costly, given all the travel expense also adds up. Minimum you are looking at Tk2 to 3 lakhs. It is very expensive. So me and the few other professional racers we have in Bangladesh, the awards we got should be praised since we do not have any infrastructure. 

Racing was always a niche sport. It is the sport for the well-off. So, sponsorship support would be greatly appreciated. Formula 1 is the most popular format in racing followed by Touring Car and World Rally Championship. We [in Bangladesh] mostly do the Touring Car. You will see many brand stickers in our cars as even small sponsorships help us a lot. I have been working hard to get sponsors and I do maintain a very good relation with my sponsors for which I have been successful in getting some sponsors. Aiman and Ishayet Hossain, these two prospective racers are in need of support at the moment.

There are four to five active racers currently and there have been a few others in the past. Do you know of any official body in Bangladesh that supports this sport and the racers?

We do have an Automobile Association of Bangladesh who works with FIA [Federation Internationale de l’Automobile]. They are appointed in Bangladesh but not very active in taking forward this sport in the country.

You often say you wish to make this sport popular in Bangladesh. What is your dream?

My dream is to open a racing school and organize racing events. They are the only ways to make this sport popular in our country and unearth talents.

How far do you want to reach in this arena?

I want to reach the top level of Touring Car Championship, which is the Le Mans [Asia]. I will definitely participate in this championship and keep on participating until I secure a podium in this event.

How far are you from this?

Three to four years away from this.

There are many who want to become professional racer in Bangladesh. Any advice for them?

Follow your heart, follow your dreams. Be focused on your life and always know what your goal is and work towards it. Don’t be distracted. There is an opportunity cost, you can enjoy yourself but you then lose your career. Focus on your career if you want this as your career.