Diljith T S, a native of Pazhayannur in Thrissur, will fly to Thailand for VIOS One Make Race, the Toyota Motor Racing, to be held this weekend.
The 20-year old is the only one from the state among the 25 drivers selected by Toyota for Etios Motor Racing (EMR).
A final-year student of Bachelor of Business Administration, Diljith claims to be a racing aficionado and says he loves speed as much as he is concerned about safety.
Toyota had launched EMR at Delhi Auto Expo last January. Subsequently, to support this new initiative, road shows were held at several cities which were followed by EMR Race 1 in Chennai and EMR Race 2 in Gurgaon.
For EMR, Toyota had selected 25 drivers with stringent tests who will participate in the final race in 2013, including Diljith. EMR Trophy 1 was held in Chennai in July 2013 and EMR Trophy 2 in Noida in September 2013. Through the Etios Motor Racing initiative, Toyota also aiming to popularise the sport in the country.
“I came to know about EMR through RRP (Red Rooster Performance) and Leela Krishnan, and took part in the selection process held in Bangalore’, says Diljith, who considers himself as his idol.
The young racer considers his mother Shivakumari as his strength. “If I could achieve anything, it is mainly because of my mother. She is my support system as much as my dad. My sister is also into Karting,” says Diljith.
Diljith had participated in Rotax Max Karting Challenge, Formula Swift in JK Tyres National Racing Championship, Formula Rolon in JK Tyres National Racing Championship and Indian Junior Touring Car Championship (IJTC) in JK Tyres National Racing Championship and Formula Ford 1600.
Diljith is set to make most of the opportunity.
“”I am working out at gym aiming at physical training and practising yoga for my mental fitness,” says Diljith before starting off to Thailand.