Bani Yadav
Dr. Bani Yadav (born 7 September 1971) is an Indian rally driver, motorsports promoter and social rights supporter. National Autocross Champion for 2019 and 2018 - Ladies. The only woman In India to win most of the major Cross Country Rally Titles in the woman's category held in India. The first woman to come an Overall second in the IRC - Rally De North - 2016. The first woman to receive the FMSCI - Outstanding Woman in Motorsports Award for rallying for the year 2016.The 1st Indian Woman to drive a Formula 4 car on the Yas Marina track in Abu Dhabi. She was awarded the Best Sportsperson Award for 2017 by Haryana State Government on the 69th Republic Day of India. She has been awarded the Woman Achiever Award by CII - IWN. Bani has been awarded an International Doctorate in Motorsports.
Bani Yadav during Asia Cup - IRC - Indian Rally Championship 2015. | |
Personal information | |
---|---|
Nationality | |
Born | 7 September 1971 |
World Rally Championship record | |
Active years | 2013–present |
Teams | Team Maruti Suzuki |
Championships | National AutoCross Champion - 2018 - Ladies
1 (2015, 2016) Asia Cup of The Indian Rally Championship Rally De North - Indian Rally Championship |
Early life and Career
She was born into a Mathur Family and brought up in Delhi. She did her schooling in Delhi itself and holds a degree in Geography from the university of Delhi and a diploma in advertising and public relations. She had her very first experience of speed racing at the tender age of 13 and in spite of several pull downs in life she never gave up on her dreams. At Jaipur Speed Sprint in 2013 she finally started off with her racing career and ended at 2nd place in the rally.
Bani got into Motorsport racing in the year 2013 and is the winner of multiple track events and cross country rallies in both men and women categories. She has been doing various formats of rallies including auto cross races, Cross Country extreme rallies, TSD events and IRC rallies. She was judged as the fastest woman driver in IRC Asia cup in the year 2015. Bani is an active participant in women empowerment events, she is an active endorser of equal rights and gender equality. She is associated with multiple NGOs focusing on cruelty against animals and women and is actively working for the cause. She helps to foster animals at her home till they can be adopted by willing families.
The toughest time of her life was when she got spine injury in October 2013. she went through two back surgeries. Minor surgery was in October, and then major one was in December. It took her 6 months to get back to her feet. As soon as she recovered she got back on the track.
Family Background
She is married to her school friend Suresh yadav and has two sons, who have also grown up to be speed-racers.
Career Results
Year | Date | Races | Position | Category | Place |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | 2 - 10 October | Maruti Suzuki 16th Raid De Himalayas | 1st | Women | |
2014 | 14 - 16 November | Maruti Suzuki Autocross 2014 | 1st | Women | Chandigarh |
Pro mode Dsl Maruti | 1st | Men & Women | |||
pro stock 4x4 | 2nd | Men & Women | |||
Pro Mode Dsl open | 3rd | Men & Women | |||
The Solo challenge | 1st | Women | |||
2014 | 28 - 30 November | The Ultimate Desert Challenge | 29th among
41 vehicles |
Men & Women | Bikaner,
Rajasthan |
2014 | 13- 14 December | 10th Speed Sprint | Men & Women | Manesar, Gurgaon | |
Modified 4x4 over 2000 CC | 1st | ||||
Unmodified 4x4 over 2000 CC | 1st | ||||
Unmodified up to 2000 CC | 1st | ||||
Unmodified Over 2000 CC | 1st | ||||
Unmodified Diesel Open | 2nd | ||||
Modified Diesel Open | 3rd | ||||
Modified Diesel any CC | 1st | ||||
Unmodified Diesel any CC | 1st | ||||
2014 | 20 - 21 December | 6th OYA Autocars & Motocross Cum OFF Roading Challenge | Men & Women | Chandigarh | |
SUV Open Category | 2nd | ||||
Diesel Open Category | 2nd | ||||
fastest timing in ladies | 1st | ||||
2015 | 9 - 11 January | Royal Rajasthan Rally 2015 organized by Thar Motorsport | 1st | Women | Jaipur |
2015 | 22 February - 1 March | Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm Rally | 1st | Women | |
16th | Men & Women | ||||
2015 | 15 June | Maruti Suzuki Dakshin Dare Rally | 1st | Ladies | Uttarakhand |
Rally Cross Jaipur held in August 2015 | 1st | Men & Women | |||
Diesel category | 1st | Men & Women | |||
Amateur Category | 3rd | Men & Women | |||
2015 | 15 November | XIV speed Sprint | 1st | Women | Faridabad |
2015 | 18 - 20 December | 2015 Auto Cross | 1st | Women | |
2016 | Dakshin Dare Rally 2016 | 2nd | Men & Women | ||
Uttrakhand Rally 2016 | 3rd | Men & Women | Uttarakhand | ||
Rally De North - Indian Rally Championship Round in 2016 | 2nd | Men & Women |
Achievements
National Autocross Champion 2018 - Ladies
IRC Asia Cup
Raid De Himalaya
Desert Storm
Dakshin Dare
Royal Rajasthan Rally
Ultimate Desert Challenge
Rally Cross
Speed Sprints
Auto Cross Delhi
Solo Challenge
References
- by Darshu (6 May 2016). "Behind The Wheel- Bani Yadav Limeroad Story by LimeRoad Editorial". Limeroad.com. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
- "Bani Yadav hardly looks like a professional car racer until she gets behind the wheel". Bhaskar.com. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
- "Indian Rally Championship". Bhaskar.com. 20 September 2016. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
- "Indian Rally Championship - 1st Runner up bani Yadav". jagran.com. Retrieved 19 September 2016.
- Rebecca, Merin (12 August 2015). "Bani, the lady of the wheel". English.manoramaonline.com. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
- Ghosh, Anirvan. "Speed Racer Bani Yadav: I love my Red-Devil - Jaipur Women Blog - Stories of Indian Women". Jaipur Women Blog. Archived from the original on 15 August 2016. Retrieved 7 July 2016.