Article by NIRMAL MANGAR
Nestled in the serene hills of Gangtok, Sikkim, a young boy’s casual encounter with a racing simulator in 2017 unknowingly set the wheels in motion for an extraordinary motorsport journey. That boy was Harshit Sarda, who today stands among India’s emerging racing talents, competing at the national level against some of the country’s most seasoned drivers.
What began as a curious visit to a simulation centre called Race Planet, started by his coach, soon transformed into an unshakable passion.
“I went there thinking it was just another game,” Harshit recalls. “But the moment I held the controls, something clicked. Racing didn’t feel virtual—it felt real.”
The very next year, Harshit competed in the Sikkim State Amateur Simulation Cup and emerged victorious. That win, he says, was more than a trophy.
“It validated my belief that motorsports was something I truly belonged to,” he shares.
Under the mentorship of Coach Chewang R Lama, Harshit continued to sharpen his skills through simulation racing, learning racecraft, discipline, and mental strength. Recognising his potential, his coach encouraged him to step beyond virtual tracks and face the real world of racing.
In 2018, Harshit travelled to Mumbai to train at Rayo Racing, one of India’s most reputed go-karting centres. Competing in his first real go-kart race, he finished 4th—just short of the podium but rich in experience.
“That race humbled me,” he says. “It showed me how much more there was to learn.”
Though life briefly pulled him away from motorsports, the dream never faded. The sound of engines and the thrill of speed remained constant companions in his thoughts. That dream reignited fully in June 2024, when Harshit began professional training with the DTS Team under Coach Diljith.
“What started as training quickly became an obsession,” Harshit admits. “Through relentless practice and discipline, I pushed myself to reach professional racing timings in a very short time.”
His dedication paid off. In 2025, Harshit earned a coveted spot in the National Racing Championships, marking his official entry into elite Indian motorsport. However, the journey was far from easy.
Motorsports, an expensive discipline, offered him little institutional backing.
“I am seeking sponsorship support from my state, and I am hopeful to get that “ he says candidly. “It was my family who believed in me when no one else did.”
With their unwavering support, Harshit competed in both the JK Tyre National Racing Championship and the MRF National Racing Championship—his first appearances on the national stage. Surrounded by champions and veterans, the young racer faced nerves, crashes, and costly mistakes.
“I made errors, I crashed, and I learned the hard way,” he reflects. “But backing off was never an option.”
Focusing on consistency, mindset, and racecraft, Harshit delivered a commendable 6th-place finish in the JK Tyre Championship. The MRF Championship tested him even further—with unfamiliar tracks and competitors boasting six to seven years of experience.
After struggling in the first two rounds, Harshit staged a remarkable comeback in Round 3, charging from 16th on the grid to finish 5th.
“That race proved to me that grit can beat experience,” he says
With the final round scheduled for 24th and 25th January 2026, Harshit Sarda is more focused than ever.
“This time, I’m not just racing,” he declares. “I’m racing for the podium.”
