Screen to Speed: Phoebe Nongrum

Skip ahead if you must… Here’s the highlights from this episode you might be most interested in and their corresponding time stamps.

Crew Chief Brad: [00:00:00] Welcome to Screen to Speed, powered by Init eSports. In this podcast, we dive into the journeys of remarkable individuals making waves in sim racing and bridging the virtual with the real. From the thrill of digital circuits to the roar of real life racetracks, we explore the passion, dedication, and innovation that drives the world of motor sports.

We’ll hear from athletes, creators, and pioneers sharing their stories, insights, and the powerful ways sim racing is connecting communities and creating pathways into motor sports. So buckle up screen to speed starts now.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Hello. Hello. Welcome everybody to any talks. Uh, happy to see everyone here. We got, uh, gram today with us. Uh, welcome.

Phoebe Nongrum: Thank you so much for having me. [00:01:00] Uh, it’s lovely to, this is my first time with you guys, so this is pretty exciting for me.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Yeah, that’s great. Thank you so much for joining us, uh, today. Uh, so you’re the only one, uh, female professional racer from, uh, your city in India.

Uh, so what does it mean for you personally?

Phoebe Nongrum: Well, uh, you know, uh, it’s actually a very, very big deal. Uh, I think words can even express or, you know, explain what a big deal this is to me. Uh, like the reason being firstly, you know, uh, getting into racing in India is quite a difficult task. Um. Apart from the fact that I come from a very tiny, um, part of India, it’s even another, uh, you know, uh, another difficult step.

Uh, basically, um, I come from the north eastern part of India from a very small town called, uh, [00:02:00] it’s in the state of Mikhale. And, uh, you know, like every other person, every other kid had a dream, right? The same goes to me. Was barely like just a dream basically, which was not even, uh, in my wildest thoughts that it would ever, ever be possible to ever touch a racing guy, ever.

So I think, uh, sometimes I myself need to, you know, pinch myself and say, Hey, hello little girl. Did you actually get here? So it actually means quite a big deal for me. Uh, sometimes I’m still in denial of the fact that I made it this far. Okay.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: That’s great. Uh, did you have anyone in your family who was into racing actually.

Phoebe Nongrum: See that is the best part. None. Um, you know, since it’s a small town, everybody here actually don’t, we don’t even have big companies here. Right. Because it’s a small town. Mm-hmm. So everyone is dependent on either being an entrepreneur, [00:03:00] running their own small businesses, or, you know, working with the government basically.

Right. So government jobs are very well loaded, right town, like everyone who, uh, finishes their studies. Rush for these exams for government jobs. Right. So, uh, I myself, you know, um, has, uh, have parents who work with the government. So there is nobody in my family, like either, some of my family members would be doctors or nurses or engineers, you know, but none in the motor sports, uh, field.

So I think I was the only one who stepped, took that step out. And, uh, you know, uh, stepped into the motor, uh, world, which. Wasn’t, uh, wasn’t, you know, accepted, uh, in, at first, you know, that way. Mm-hmm. So now nobody from my family is in that background, so I think [00:04:00] I’m the one who took that first step to get into motor sports.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Mm-hmm. You’re really brave, uh, to be first one, uh, from your family to jump into Motorsport actually. Uh, do you remember the exact moment when you knew that racing was actually for you?

Phoebe Nongrum: Uh, you know, um, I never actually thought of that because I. I finished my studies and, uh, finished my, um. Graduation and, uh, I think I was myself aiming.

I worked for a while. Uh, I was in a different state in India from my town where I finished my graduation and I started working in a different city in the south, the southern part of India. And, uh. I was working there for about 12 years. So I think, um, I mean, I worked a couple of jobs. I worked with Red Bull.

Red Bull, I worked with a few mm-hmm.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Companies

Phoebe Nongrum: and, uh, but still, you know, I, I, I didn’t feel I fit in and I thought to myself like, I feel so lost. Like, you know, I’ve done my graduation. Uh, [00:05:00] now I’m working. I’m supposed to be happy. Like I have a good job and like I’m making good money, but something seems to be missing.

Mm-hmm. So, uh, I never still even thought about the wild dream, you know?

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Mm-hmm.

Phoebe Nongrum: Getting into a race, uh. But then, uh, once finally day I decide I’m done with these jobs. I need a break. Like I just a job and to try and figure out what I exactly wanna do. What is this feeling that I’m feeling that I’m missing out?

Uh, so I took a big step. I took a break from working and everything else. I came back home. I. Uh, it was then when, you know, we have these, uh, local, local events like, you know, like, uh, a small autocross in the dirt track and stuff like that. Mm-hmm.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: So I had a

Phoebe Nongrum: friend who was like, Hey, you’ve always been wanting to do stuff like this, you know, here, take my car.

Just go drive. Mm-hmm.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: You know,

Phoebe Nongrum: uh, maybe, you know, somehow you, you’ll, you’ll do well. I said, uh, no. He’s like, no, just go take my car. No big deal. You know, I’m like. Okay, fine. Let me give it a [00:06:00] shot. So I think that was the moment when I got into that car and uh, drove and that’s when I felt that, you know, sitting in that seat, in the racing seat.

And that’s when I was like, I think I belong here.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Mm-hmm. You

Phoebe Nongrum: know, so that was the moment for me where I was like, I think I should take this break and go racing for a year and see where I, you know, actually end up. Where I actually, um, if I can actually make it somewhere with this racing. Mm-hmm. Right. So that was the time when, you know, I felt that I belonged.

And right after that, I, uh, got into other, uh, disciplines of racing and uh, and then it just kept going. So I just thought to myself, okay, this is exactly where I should be. Yeah.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: That’s awesome. Uh, can you tell me a bit more about your first, uh, racing event, which happened? How was it for you, what kind of emotions you get, and, uh, what kind of experience that was overall for you?

Phoebe Nongrum: Basically, um, that was all [00:07:00] local event, but it started from there. And, uh, after that, I, I got called, like I had a few friends who already introduced me since I was in, I was studying in the south of India, like I said, and, uh, I had a few friends in the field. So someone I had known had called me and said, uh, you know what, uh, there’s someone.

Was actually hosting a hunting for, and it’s going to be the first, um, the first formula of female team in India. And uh, I was like, okay. And they were like, we think you should enroll for that. You know, we think you should, um, participate, you should try, you should give it a shot. Go round and uh, see if you’ve got it in you.

And I was like, that’s so interesting. Like the first female formula racing team in India. Mm-hmm. And, uh, I was like, uh, sure, why not? So I got in touch. Um, I got in touch with the team, the team’s name is Ura saying, and, [00:08:00] uh, the, the mentor, the coach of URA saying, the owner of the team, and he was ex, he explained to me what, uh, what’s to be done.

And so the next thing I knew, I was down south again in a place called and, uh, at the tracks over there, the motorway and, um. Uh, and this was, uh, an event that usually, uh, you know, uh, every year it’s a season based event, of course, which is hosted by JY Tires. So it was a Cheeky Tire Formula, formula Championship, formula four Championship.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Mm-hmm.

Phoebe Nongrum: And, uh, this, uh, the time was a big step for me. It was the main step for me that I got him to race. I got there, uh, 60 women from around India had came for that event. Uh, some of them, uh, you know, who made it through the team were that are familiar with the track. Some of them had a little bit of cutting experience and things like that, [00:09:00] the basics, basically.

And, uh, as for me, uh, I was someone and the few others that were there, I was completely blank. Like, I’ve never seen a formula car before.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Mm-hmm. You

Phoebe Nongrum: know, have I, I, have I ever like, gone so close to it, not touched it, you know? So this one time I was like, okay, I’m actually gonna drive this thing and I don’t know how it works.

But then anyway, uh, during the challenge hand, I drove my vest. Um, I got very good lab timings on the formula car, so I made it to the top six lead. Team. Mm-hmm. So the team, uh, each team had to have six drivers. So I made it to the top six. And, uh, so I drove the first season then. So that was when, uh, you know, I knew that, okay, I should continue as, as long as I can flow, go, uh, further with this, I’m just going keep on moving, you know?

Mm-hmm. So decided that at that point of time, so on the second season. Uh, is when I, [00:10:00] uh, actually, you know, uh, got into podium. Uh, I created history for, uh, you know, for my state, uh, being the first, uh, formula and, you know, achieving a podium mm-hmm. In that, uh, formula. And, uh, after that, uh, you know, then unfortunately for me, the pandemic had, had, uh, happened, you know, so I did not, uh, get any more chance to go racing.

So it was a break for a while for me.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Mm-hmm.

Phoebe Nongrum: And, uh, yeah. So, but that was how, uh, everything kick started for me. Mm-hmm. Uh, driving at the J Tire Championship.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: That’s great. You got, uh, actually real good results in, uh, in formula. Um, so how, uh, your family react, uh, that you jumping into Motorsport? Uh, so you, you only one person from your family Yeah.

Who did this?

Phoebe Nongrum: Yeah. Yeah. So basically, uh, I even came back [00:11:00] home, like when I took the break to come home. Um, my dad was like, Hey, what about like, you know, uh, maybe shifting to the, a government job, you know? Mm-hmm. Uh, there’s something here called, uh, the civil exams where you, you know, you write the exam and then you become like, uh.

Like, uh, uh, one of the officers, like a big rank officers. Mm-hmm. So it’s an Indian civil exam. So I was like, okay, maybe why not? Since I’m back and stuff, I even prepared for the exam. You will not believe it on the day of the prelims exams. It was the same day for the formula, uh, selection round, you know.

So I went to my dad and I was like, Hey, listen, something came up. He’s like, what do you mean you have an exam today? And, uh, I was like, um, no, but um, this is something very important to me. So I was like, um, maybe I should go and, uh, you know, give it a shot. If this doesn’t work, I will never like, talk about racing [00:12:00] anymore and probably get into this.

Series, you know, bit of, uh, maybe working for the government or something like that. Mm-hmm. So I don’t think, uh, they took it well because I don’t think so. It was something familiar to them. I don’t think they saw the fact that, you know, there’s a lot that can be, can be done through racing. Like you can actually mm-hmm.

Uh, uh, like, you know, make a living or like, you can get far with this because of course, like I’m from a very small town. No basics of cutting at all, like zero. Okay. Mm-hmm. Till today, I don’t think I caught. So, uh, but then, you know, um, since I started driving at an earlier age, I think that’s how like I managed.

But yeah, so it, they didn’t take it well. So every time I would have to go racing, I would not tell them beforehand my plans. Mm-hmm. I would just tell them a day or two before I leave. Mm-hmm. So that, you know, they don’t have. That much time to think and then, you know, worry about it and then, you know, end up telling me like, no, you know, you [00:13:00] can’t go this, that.

Mm-hmm. So I don’t give them the time. I just tell them like, just before I go, uh, a day or two and uh, by the time to process it, I’m gone. You know? Mm-hmm. And then I always come back with a trophy. So I think, uh, you know, eventually they got used to it.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Mm-hmm.

Phoebe Nongrum: Like, ah, okay, she’s going there, she’s coming back with a trophy.

So it is just, it just got used to that fact.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Mm-hmm. You get really good plan to, you adapt your family to your, uh. It’s racing and then you’re doing it. Yeah, yeah. Love it. Yeah. I

Phoebe Nongrum: have to find a way.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Yeah. You said in, in the presentation, which you sent to me, that you, uh, once you inspire both, uh, like boys and girls, uh, why is that important to you?

Phoebe Nongrum: Uh, you know, I mean, like coming from a small town, you know, I think, uh, I myself, I. Couldn’t imagine, you know, that I would get here. [00:14:00] So, and I, a lot of other younger, uh, females and males, like boys and girls from my state. Who also aspire to, you know, get into such things, you know, like get into motor sports or like any type of discipline of motor sports.

Everybody has their own, you know, some of them love the speed, some of them love the techniques, you know, this, uh, maybe some of them love drifting, some of them love, uh, maybe formula racing. Some of them would love the dirt, like rallying and the rest, mo motocross, uh, you know, biking, like dirt biking, stuff like that, right?

So for me, uh, I think it’s very important. Uh, you know, to inspire them so that, you know, they’d see me and they’d be like, you know, if she can do it, so can we, you know? Uh, so they would actually pick up themselves, find their way on how to get about, like, how I did. Uh, it wasn’t easy for me, definitely when I started, because like I said, I was the first one.

Now I’m, I’m someone who had to think, how do I [00:15:00] behave my own way? How do I make, uh, you know, uh, this. Way for myself, uh, in motor sports. How do I get far? Like, it was a lot for me. Uh, and uh, somehow I managed. So now that I’m here, I would like to, I would love to inspire them to look into the sport if they have the.

Uh, why waste it? You know? Um, gone are the days where people are like, oh no, you can’t make it, you know, uh, this is difficult. And, you know, I don’t think anything is difficult if you put your mind into it. So that’s what I want to put across to them. I, I’ve been trying, uh, my level best. I’ve also started a motorsports, uh, society here.

And, uh, through that society is where I’m trying to, you know, help the younger generation. Mm-hmm. Recently we had, uh, we had a male who. Performed really well. We also had a few females, uh, but they’re not ready yet to go to the track. But the mayor was ready. So we had helped him [00:16:00] with, uh, you know, uh, doing his first Indian National Rally Championship, uh, the first round, uh, that happened in the south of India again in, so we have put him across through the first round, okay?

Mm-hmm. So this is just ways, I mean, we don’t have that much fundings, but whatever we can what, however I can, I’m just trying to help. So that, you know, they feel that, okay, we have support, so they work harder and you know mm-hmm. They plan, um, accordingly on how they wanna work, uh, so that they can, you know, build a future in more sports.

Mm-hmm. So that’s what I would like to inspire. Yeah.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Yeah, it’s actually great you got, uh, society to inspire, uh, next generation yet to get into racing, especially in India. So I actually understand how, uh, hard it can be because I’m from Kazakhstan, I’m from Almany, and uh, when I started racing, uh, yeah, like.

Not a lot of people, uh, get into this. Uh, [00:17:00] so now we got, uh, big circuit. We got, uh, card circuit, like, uh, racing, uh, develop, uh, quite fast here. Great. Uh, so it’s, uh, really cool to see, uh, that people get into it, uh, jump into racing and, uh, having fun here. Um, and, uh, speaking, uh, forward. So how do you feel to be a female racing driver in, uh, this motor sport industry?

Because, uh, personally I met some stereotypes. Uh, and, uh, then you just, you know, you’re finishing on a podium. You just beat all these boys and they like, uh, crying in boxes. Yeah. Yeah. And, and just, uh, stop talking, uh, bad things about you. So how was it for you? Yeah.

Phoebe Nongrum: I mean, uh, forget boys. I mean, sometimes there are even girls, you know, like women.

I mean, not maybe in the spot, but maybe it could be even someone you know, [00:18:00] or your friend. Mm-hmm. Or you know, somebody like that. Like, it’s just so weird that people sometimes, you know, cannot really appreciate someone for doing. Uh, their best, you know, especially in this spot, because being a female in this spot is not easy competing with the men, right?

Mm-hmm. Um, I think, I think when I started my first formula racing, I think, uh, every time I would go so close to a guy in front of me and try to overtake, he would panic. You know? He could see that, you know, there’s a, there’s panic over there. Tension. And then, and then when you push too hard, then they start like, oh my God, she pushed me so hard.

Like, I think that’s the idea of the spot. I need to like sh you a bit so I can overtake, you know? Mm-hmm. Like, I need to find my space. So I think for even the slightest thing, like when they get shoved a bit, they, they get so overwhelmed. The fact that, oh my goodness, the female shocked me out there. She trying to overtake, you know, I.

Feel, um, they’re just not used to it, especially here now in [00:19:00] India, that female, uh, are coming up like female drivers are coming up and with competing with them, and I don’t think, you know, that sits well with them because they’re so used to in, uh, you know, uh, they’re still used to their own world, like men against men.

But, uh. Of course we have those wonderful, uh, male drivers as well who are supportive. Like I have met a lot of supportive male drivers who would suggest things to me, who would guide me, who would say like, you know, you’re doing well, you should push harder. Yeah, we have those as well. But then again, yeah, uh, we always find the stereo stereotyping ones also, uh, you know, uh, some of them cannot take it, so it hits their ego.

It’s very sad, but, uh, yeah, it’s actually fun for me because the more I know, like I’m, you know, uh, I’m scared you and I’m hitting your ego. I’m like, come on, this is so much fun. Like, you know, the more you tell me I can’t do it, the more I show you how I do it. So it’s just, it’s just, I like the challenge.

It’s kind of a [00:20:00] challenge to me and it’s actually fun, you know? Mm-hmm. That way. So stereotyping, I’ve had many. But also on the other hand, I, I also give credit to the few that, you know, actually support me. I mean, I’ve had a lot being all by myself, starting this, a new journey on my own and having some of them supporting me is really great.

Like, you know, in the. Of course at the tracks is what I mean.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Mm-hmm. And

Phoebe Nongrum: then of course, uh, day to day, right, you meet someone, they ask you, oh, what do you do? You’re a female. Oh, you drive a racing car? Oh my god. You know, like, uh, um, the first time, yeah, the first race I had done and got like, first a few races that I had done, basically got a podium.

I had someone telling me, what are you doing with your life? I’m like, I’m actually enjoying this racing, but. I’m not even thinking, you know, I took a break from working for so long and I’m, I’m having fun. And this person had come to me and said like, but you know, you’re not gonna make it anywhere, right?

Because this is like, uh, you know, this is Shalong and you live in India and you know you are a woman. You [00:21:00] know? Um mm-hmm. It’s, it’s, it’s, you are not, it’s just going to be fun for now. What are you going to do in the future? I said, I don’t think, if I can predict the future, I think, you know, I would. Like right now, it’s how I would work towards it, but because I can’t predict it, I think I’d like to listen.

You know? I mean mm-hmm. I’d like to take it one step at a time. So this person was like, oh, I have fun while it still lasts. Like the way the person said it was like, you know, as if like, you know, oh yeah, it’s gonna be for a while, so just have fun and you’re gonna go down after that. But then, you know, I kept climbing up instead.

So there was one time when I got a podium and I actually said this was to that person, you know? Mm-hmm. Who said that I was not going to make it. This podium is for you, you know? Uh, because you said that I wasn’t going to make it far. Is the reason why I pushed myself even more, you know? Mm-hmm.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: So here

Phoebe Nongrum: I am now, enjoy and watch me, you know, lift my teeth, you know, that was how it was for me.

So sometimes I can get really [00:22:00] cheeky like that and someone pushes me much. I’d be like, okay, you know, it’s okay, but I’ll just show you how it’s done. You know, I don’t have to say or fight or, you know, say anything back to you, to you and make you feel bad for making me feel bad. And just show you how bad it seems to actually see someone actually, you know, do something the opposite of what you are saying, you know?

Mm-hmm. It’s like that. So basically all in all, all the good and the bad and, you know, all the stereotyping, uh, so far has been fun for me because the more they try to pull me down, the more I actually show them the results. Mm-hmm. So it’s actually kinda, it’s kind of a good challenge actually. You know, I look at, I take it in that way, you know?

The more you pull me down, the more I get up. So it’s good. Keep doing it.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Yeah. Oh, that’s, that’s good. Yeah. I think I’m in the same way as you. Uh, so, uh, no one can, can, can beat me. Yeah. No one, uh, can, uh, I, I, it would be really

Phoebe Nongrum: [00:23:00] interesting if, it would be really interesting if we meet one fine day, have a team, and maybe be racing against, you know, some of them out there.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Mm. And I really like the, the thing which you said about, uh, that, that you’re living in present because, uh, really sometimes it’s really hard to, uh. Plan anything in racing, uh, because all depends on many factors like sponsors and, uh, like companies who are interested in you. And, uh, uh, yes, like I, I’ve been taking part in the formal of four, formal three as well, and we had to program with my, uh, as motor sports team till the F1.

Uh, but, uh, eventually they just, uh, shut down, uh, the team, uh, the next year. Oh. Uh, yeah, and I just, uh, during COVID I jump into streaming, jump into I racing and actually enjoying to be a part of this community. So you always, uh, [00:24:00] you know, you, you always got, uh, opportunities next to you. Uh, and, uh, you just have to take them and, uh, go for them.

And it doesn’t matter, you know, if you. Like in racing car? Uh, I think being in motor sport overall in racing industry, you got diff uh, different opportunities, uh, to be in this industry. Um, not only as a racing driver, but uh, also as a like racing engineer or maybe, uh, sim racer, maybe someone else. So it’s, uh, cool that, uh, industry getting better and we got, uh, like more space for everybody and more, uh, job for everybody here as well.

So I, I know that you not planning really far away, but, uh, what would be your dream, uh, series where you would like to take a part in, maybe in the future, if it’s possible. So what that will be for you.

Phoebe Nongrum: Um, there are a few things of course that I have [00:25:00] in mind. I mean, I don’t know if I’d get that far, but again, like I said, you know, you can always dream, but you never know that dream might come true.

So there are a few, uh, series that I’d love to be part of. Uh, firstly it would be the W series. Mm-hmm. You know, I don’t know if that’s happening again or not, but it happened for a few seasons. I think two seasons happened. Uh. Uh, two or three seasons. I would love to be part of the W Series, even if it’s not, uh, you know, me getting so far, it would be lovely to drive, you know?

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Mm-hmm. And,

Phoebe Nongrum: uh, apart from that, of course, um, the other part of the, the other discipline of motor sports that I love would be rallying. So I would love to. Uh, you know, make it to the WRC, the World Rally Championship.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Mm-hmm.

Phoebe Nongrum: Again, like even if I do not make it that far, at least I should make it somewhere there, you know, drive those stages, uh, you know, get a chance to, uh, drive a few stages maybe, or if I’m lucky enough, have a sponsor for the whole season.

But, uh, you know, a few rounds in these, uh, [00:26:00] would be really amazing for me. Uh, and of course I’m open to other disciplines of, uh, racing, but, um, all these are not available in India, right? So, and I have to go out and then again, like, you know, I have to step out of my country. And then again, for that, like you saying, uh, sponsors, uh, is very difficult, especially for women drivers, um, I mean for male drivers as well as, so it gets even more difficult for women drivers.

Um, because I think, uh, you know, uh, most sponsors are still trying to wrap their head around the fact that, okay, it’s a female driver or should we invest or should we not invest, you know? Mm-hmm. These things, I think still, um, you know, uh, goes about in their head like, should we put in this much effort and stuff like that.

It is kind of difficult for them as well. I understand. But it’s also difficult for us because then again, you know, we have, we have these, um. Uh, thoughts in them. Like, I mean, we have people who still think that it’s a female. Uh, should we or should we not still, you know? Mm-hmm. [00:27:00] But, uh, I hope that, you know, there are more sponsors that don’t think, I mean, because if they give their trust in us and they do sponsor, I think that’s when we, uh, you know, even just ask people just.

As human beings, uh, you know, tend to work harder. Mm-hmm. The more, uh, we, we have someone to support us, the more we have someone to believe in us, I think that’s when we also, uh, are able to give in our all right. I mean, if I come to you and I’ll be like, Hey, you know what? You are good, but not so good. I think that’s gonna make you question yourself.

So instead of me coming to you and saying that, like, Hey, you are good, but not so good. If I was a sponsor, I’d be like, Hey, listen, I’m gonna put my everything in you. So you know, give me that minute or give me that second, make it come whatever, you know? Mm-hmm. Um, I believe in you. We are gonna do this as a team.

I think if things come in more positively in that way, I think, uh, you know, they get most out of it. You know?

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Mm-hmm. [00:28:00]

Phoebe Nongrum: Any in any field is what I’m trying to say. Because when you have doubts, it’s when you know, even us as drivers, we of course when once we put that helmet on, there’s a lot that goes on in our head right before we start.

And of course after we start, we forget everything and we just on it, like at it on track, right? So once we get that support, we know we have someone who’s supporting or someone with positivity, someone looking forward to get something good out of us. I think that’s what pushes us to do better. Mm-hmm.

Know pushes us more. So I think if we create that space of, you know, irrelevant if you’re a female or a male driver, you know, uh, come in as a sponsor, uh, help out, you know, see, maybe you can try always with, they need a, sponsors could always try with the drivers for a season or two, see how they work, you know?

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Mm-hmm.

Phoebe Nongrum: Uh, that way I’m sure they would find three, four female races who are good at it. Jimmy Chadwick is like really amazing. Mm-hmm. Sophie is, uh, also amazing, you know, so [00:29:00] I mean, like, um, these drivers have also proven, uh, Doreen, right? I think if I pronounce her her name right, Doreen. Yeah.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: So, yeah, I think it’s, uh, really important to have the, you know, the whole industry, uh, who’s like working toward the, the drivers and uh, and sponsors also getting in.

So when you got really small, uh. Industry of racing in your country. It’s really hard to get sponsors. It’s really hard to get into racing actually, because, uh, like it’s not working that well, as in, for example, in the United States, uh, where we know that industry is working pretty well and, uh, drivers getting small sponsors and it’s actually overall working, uh, pretty, pretty well.

Um, um, so yeah, it’s really complicated, uh, but it’s good to see that, uh, racing, develop and, uh, starting to grow every [00:30:00] day in small countries as well. Like not really small, but small in, uh, in racing industry. Yeah. Uh, because racing is. Not really, uh, popular, uh, like in India or in Kazakhstan, but it’s, uh, cool to see that it’s, uh, eventually growing And, um, yeah, that, that’s really cool, uh, to see.

Definitely. So I, I think that’s, uh. In the future. So perfect world, uh, where in every country we’ll have a racing, which is, uh, like, uh, good business for everybody and, uh, uh, nice sport to get in. Uh, and, uh, but yeah, that’s just a dream. And all these people, which we, we got right now, um. All guests, which we got on the need talks.

Uh, they, uh, trying to, um, you know, invest into this step to, um, make, uh, [00:31:00] their country closer to be in, in, in big worlds of the racing. And actually it’s really, really cool. Uh, one day that, that’s my, my dream that, uh, we’ll have in each country, uh, the racing, which, uh, e equal to, uh, racing, uh, how it’s working in United States because, uh, uh, they got the big show with it.

They got little sponsors who support like. Even, uh, drivers who taken part in last position, uh, in championship. And it’s really cool to see how it’s working actually. And, um, hopefully, yeah, in one, one day, uh, in like in India or in Kazakhstan and other countries, we’ll see. Um. You know, more people into racing and more sponsors also getting into it and just, uh, having fun.

Um, so yeah, actually from your yourself, how do you see the future of Indian Motor Sports? Would you like to see [00:32:00] someone from India taking part in formal one or maybe in, uh, other, uh, big championships? Uh, so how do you see it from yourself?

Phoebe Nongrum: Yeah. As far as the Euro, um, it goes, I think, uh, from India right now we have, in the rallying field, we have, uh, s gi who has been representing India and the WRC.

Uh, I think he hasn’t done the whole season as yet again, maybe because due to sponsors, you know, but he has been getting help. So he has been attending like, maybe a few rounds of the INRC last year or prior to that, I think 2023 or 24, uh, is when he, uh, actually took part in the WRC. He is actually one of India’s top best drivers.

Mm-hmm. Um. So, uh, you know, it’s lovely to see him there because that inspires us. And, uh, also, uh, like we have other drivers like, uh, [00:33:00] um, I think his name is, uh, Han. Uh, no, sorry. Uh, what is his name? Yeah, I think Johan something is there. I forgot his name. Then, uh, there’s, uh, Kush. Uh, so these are a few drivers, engine drivers that I’ve gotten so far as being male, you know, so it would be lovely to see also a female engine driver.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Mm-hmm.

Phoebe Nongrum: Uh, you know, doing one of these, um, uh, even of these, um, disciplines of either rallying or uh, you know, um, formula. So for us to get there, I think, uh, we would need a lot of, uh, help with the sponsorship.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Mm-hmm.

Phoebe Nongrum: So, and the fact that, you know, uh, we haven’t accepted India as, uh, I mean most of the Indian, uh.

Uh, sponsors probably haven’t really looked into, uh, motorist sports, uh, that, you know, looked into it that well to invest in it. But yeah, slowly and surely we are coming up slowly [00:34:00] and surely we are having, uh, people who are interested in it. So I just hope like five years down the line, we have like, you know, um, a few female drivers, uh, out there, uh, you know, representing India.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Uh, hopefully that will be you. Uh, so we’ll be happy to see you on international scene.

Phoebe Nongrum: Yeah.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Yeah. And, uh, the last one, uh, I think I’m

Phoebe Nongrum: hoping so too. I mean, uh,

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: yeah, hopefully, uh, we’ll see you on international scene, uh, representing India one day. Hopefully

Phoebe Nongrum: one day, one fine day.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Okay. And uh, the last one, what advice can you give to Yes, girls, boys who would like to take a part, uh, in racing, uh, all over the world and from India?

Uh, particularly.

Phoebe Nongrum: So basically, um, you know, if you have that [00:35:00] dream, I think, um, now we live in a world where. You know, it’s not like before, before we have to, if our parents say, know this is what we have to do because it’s good for you, we tend to always, uh, you know, follow that step, right?

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Mm-hmm.

Phoebe Nongrum: Uh, I just think that, um, if you do have a dream, uh, relevant of its, uh, just racing or anything else, I think you should speak up.

I think you should tell them of your dream. You know, if, if it’s, if you wanna be, let’s just put the simple example of you wanna be a singer. Which is something that’s related to, you know, the normal, um, uh, day-to-day, uh, thoughts of, you know, where you should be. Like a doctor or a, or a, or a police officer or a, you know, like, like the normal jobs, you know, if you have something like, I wanna be a race car driver, or I wanna be a singer, I think you should go, always be able to go to your parents and, you know.

Tell them, this is what I think I’m good at and this is what I wanna do. So the same, similar thing with [00:36:00] racing. I think, um, we should take that step and just inform them, you know, oh, hey, I find I have interest in this. You never know. Your parents might go all out and support you, you know, knowing the fact that, uh, you know, this is your dream.

So I think, uh. It should start at a young age where, you know, we should be given also that opportunity to speak up or tell what our dreams are to our parents, because I think that’s the only way where anybody could live their dream. Right? Uh, until, and unless our parents don’t know about our dreams, I don’t think, uh, you know, we would get anywhere that far because.

If only they knew, then maybe they’d be supportive. I mean, best example is look at Louise Hamilton’s, uh, dad. So Louise Hamilton’s dad was like, you know, very supportive towards him since he was a kid, right? Mm-hmm. And, uh, I think it, that is a good way to go about, because if your parents knows what you love, they would give everything.

Like Louise’s dad gave everything, like, you know, [00:37:00] for him to become a world champion one five day. So I think, uh, you know, it should start there. Mm-hmm. Um, my advice would be don’t be scared. Go tell your parents what your dreams are. In case it turns the other way. Like, you know, like for me, like, you know, I wouldn’t say my parents were against it, but they just needed time to get used to it because this is something new to them.

Maybe, you know, someone would be in the same spot like I was in. I, what I would say is find a way, you know, find a way to make them get used to the fact that, uh, you know, this is normal. You know, uh, at first it might seem impossible, but if you work towards it. Find your way, work towards it. You know, find a way to tell them, make them familiar with, uh, the whole, uh, you know, the whole, um.

Make them familiar with the whole, uh, plan or the whole dream that you have. You know, eventually they’ll come around it, anybody will come around it. And the, the most important thing is that you believe in yourself. Like, you know. Mm-hmm. Uh, you don’t, um, [00:38:00] you know, doubt yourself. Even if others around you doubt you.

You shouldn’t doubt yourself. I mean, of course I’ve had my days as well, like when I had a lot of people doubting me. Some days I would doubt myself as well, right? Mm-hmm. Uh, but then, um, some days I would also doubt myself. Uh, but then these things are normal, you know, I mean, we’re human beings. There would be days that would be difficult, and of course we would think to ourselves like, what am I even doing here?

Like. You know, I got this far, but I don’t think I can go further. You know, these are things that happen to other individuals. Right. But I think if those days come, we shouldn’t be too hard on ourselves. Mm-hmm. I think we should let those days pass. I think, uh, I’ve been in days where I’m like, when the pandemic had hit, I was like, oh, my recent career is done.

Like, this is it for me. Like I just started, you know, and, uh, this has happened and I think this is it. Like, um, you know, this is where it ends. I’ve had days like that too. And then once the pandemic was over, I was like, Hey, [00:39:00] you know what? I could, I can always restart where I left off, right? I can always try again.

I mean, it was starting from the bottom again. So then I was like, why not if I’ve started from the bottom before I can do it again, right? Mm-hmm. So these are things that, uh, you know, you should, um, be able, like your mind is a powerful, uh, it’s, it’s, it is the most powerful thing in your body. So I think the more you tell, you convince yourself, the more you train your mind that you can do these impossible things, I think it’s, you know, you can do it.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Mm-hmm. So,

Phoebe Nongrum: I mean, if you tell your mind that, uh, you know, I’m sick. Your body will feel sick. Mm-hmm. Basically, right? Uh, or you say, uh, I’m feeling lazy. You know, the moment you think I’m lazy, your whole day is gone. You are gonna feel lazy the whole day. Mm-hmm. So basically the mind is the most powerful thing in your body.

So if you say, I can do it, basically, uh, you know, even if you can’t do it today, if you can do it. Like five months from now. But if you say every day that you can do it and you take every small [00:40:00] step you are gonna get there eventually, right? Mm-hmm. So I think, um, this would be my, uh, advice to everybody that, you know, um, nothing is good and pretty always, um, now if we look at most of the racing drivers, we love where they are at right now.

But everyone has a story at the end of the day, right? Mm-hmm. Everyone had come through something to get to where they are right now. So what I would say is that, uh, you know, um, if you think that’s what you want, don’t give up. Like chase it. Even if it seem impossible, I’m sure in between somewhere, it’s not going to be smooth.

It’s gonna be a rough path. Mm-hmm. But, uh, you know, uh, don’t stop there. You know, continue, keep going. You know? Uh, and eventually if you do not give up on yourself, you’re going to get to places where you never thought you would be, uh, like the rest of us who have, you know, uh, pushed ourselves and come this far.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Mm-hmm. So

Phoebe Nongrum: that would be my, yeah. Yeah.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: I, I agree with you. Also, it’s. It’s [00:41:00] always worse to try. Uh, at least. Yeah. And, uh, maybe you going to get in and, uh, like have good experience if you’re not going to continue, like at least you. Going to have fun. Yeah. And, uh, just, uh, did what you, uh, what you actually like and that, that’s great thing.

Okay. So thank you so much for Yes. Being with us. Uh, yeah, no worries about technical issues. It, it is always happened. Uh, it’s fine. And that’s part of the stream. Yeah, because we, we go on live and it’s more harder than, uh, record videos and all the stuff. So once again, uh, Phoebe, thank you so much. Yeah.

Phoebe Nongrum: Thank you. It was lovely chatting with you. Thank you for having patience with my network today. And, uh, I hope it, we do stay connected. Maybe, you know, once I day I get to come and see you and never know what plans you could make for the future. Yeah, sure. Only when we join hands is when we can. Yeah. [00:42:00] Okay guys, when we join hands is when we can make a better place, right?

So, uh, one question I have, I have for you though. Uh, so you, you do some racing a lot?

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: Yes. I I’m doing this a lot. I’m full-time streamer, uh, the network again, so I suggest you to join a racing one day. It’s really fun.

Phoebe Nongrum: Yeah. Cool. I hope I, I, I hope I’m trying set up myself. Yeah, I’m trying to set up a sim myself.

I’ve never done sim racing before, so hopefully we can connect then. Mm-hmm. Maybe we can. Yeah. Would be awesome. Sim racing,

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: I think worse to try because, uh, community is really friendly and, uh, helpful all the time. Okay. Then I guess,

Phoebe Nongrum: um, the network is not allowing us to go further. Okay.

Lyubov Ozeretskovskaya: See you. Okay guys, thank you so much for watching.

We’ll see you. You should stay. Thank

Phoebe Nongrum: you. Yes, thank you. Bye.[00:43:00]

Crew Chief Brad: In it. eSports focuses on SIM racing events in digital tournaments. They bring eSports content to fans and sponsorship opportunities to brands while maximizing audience reach across multiple sports industries and platforms. eSports is a woman-led company where diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility is in their DNA and their platform aims to combat bullying and cheating to help make the eSports world as safe and fair as possible.

To learn more, be sure to log onto www.initesports.gg or follow them on social media at init eSports. Join their discord, check out their YouTube channel, or follow their live content via switch.

Crew Chief Eric: This episode has been brought to you by Grand Touring Motorsports as part of our Motoring Podcast network.

For more episodes like this, tune in each week for more exciting and educational content from organizations like The Exotic Car Marketplace, the Motoring Historian, break Fixx, and many others. If you’d like [00:44:00] to support Grand Touring Motor Sports and the Motoring Podcast Network, sign up for one of our many sponsorship tiers at www.patreon.com/gt Motorsports.

Please note that the content, opinions and materials presented and expressed in this episode are those of its creator, and this episode has been published with their consent. If you have any inquiries about this program, please contact the creators of this episode via email or social media as mentioned in the episode.