A chip off the previous block: speedster Javed Lota following in his father’s footsteps

A chip off the previous block: speedster Javed Lota following in his father’s footsteps

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One salient custom that has formed motor racing careers through the years is that of second generations of racing drivers – a real demonstration that “an apple doesn’t fall too far from a tree”.

With their apparently insatiable urge for food for fulfillment, scions of racing dynasties proceed to comply with of their father’s footsteps, therefore remodeling into much more formidable opponents.

But when all is alleged and executed, being a second-generation driver has its personal benefits and drawbacks, although.

Asked how hand-me-down information performs out in shaping a driver’s profession, Lota Motorsports’ tarmac speedster Javed Lota sounds fairly febrile in his speak.

Javed is sublimely quick on tarmac, having chosen an alternate profession path to his rallying dad. By and huge, Javed is pleased with the breakneck nature that tarmac racing presents.

Javad Lota. PHOTO/PRINT

“Being second generation is more of an advantage as you get to learn a lot from the first generation, the driving skills, techniques you employ on your driving lines, personal preparations for events and so much more. With the team effort and a well prepared car, you are familiar with the weaknesses in the vehicle, you know where to target to become stronger and how to improve your timings on the stages,” explains Javed.

But Javed, who plans to partake in each Tarmac and Autocross championships subsequent season, candidly admits that the second-generation side has its personal challenges to fathom out.

“The pressure is immense because the first generation looks up to you, and they want the results, so you have to always try your best,” he quipped.

Javed kickstarted his motorsports profession with go-karts and ventured right into a little bit of rallying earlier than deciding on tarmac occasions. He has been part of Delta Motorsports asphalt occasions for over a 12 months now and is already effervescent with confidence properly in time for the 2025 season.

Javed began this asphalt journey in October 2023.

“My first event was in Naivasha in a Subaru N12. In 2024, I started racing fully and had a new car, a Subaru N14. So the whole of 2024 has gone well. Unfortunately, we had one breakdown, which cost us the championship title, so let’s see how the 2025 season pans out.”

“Rallying is an costly sport, and I wanted someplace I might settle in the long term, so I scrapped an acquaintance with Delta Motorsports, and the remainder is historical past. “

In his very first full season of racing in 2024, Javed steered his Subaru N16 with appreciable vigour. But the occasion that value him the championship was a Whistling Moran occasion in Athi River the place he suffered engine gremlins, a lot to his chagrin.

“In 2024 we did six rounds with Delta, we kickstarted our season in February at Whistling Morans, then went to WRC Naivasha Service Park for our second event, where we had a Gymkhana set up; which went very well came second. Then we went to Machakos People’s Park, where we did the RX, and finished second again. In our last event, we went back to Machakos and came third overall,” mentioned Javed.

Weighing up the dynamics of asphalt and gravel racing, Javed went on: “Gravel racing is exciting, yes, with lots of sideways, whilst tarmac is something akin to a precision drive, sharper driving that is. In gravel racing, you encounter enough spectacular obstacles like jumps, hairpin bends, and water slashes. I would say both forms of racing are equally fun.”

The motorsport bug for Javed got here from his father Naushad Kara Lota, who’s a a number of Coast Champion and a earlier winner of the celebrated Johnny Hellier Memorial trophy for the most effective positioned Coast driver in a Mombasa KNRC occasion.

“I’d say my love of racing actually predates my memories. It’s been in the family. My dad has been a Coast Champion for many years, did lots of gravel rallying back in the day, it’s more like a culture we’ve grown up with in the family. I guess it’s now my turn to shine,” Javed mentioned.