Features

Everybody Loves Rayomand

Rayomand Banajee, an 8-time Formula Car and Karting Champion, and the founder of Rayo Racing and Indi Karting, has become a pivotal figure in India’s motorsport scene. His journey began with a deep passion for racing, leading to a career that now spans track development and the cultivation of young talent. Banajee’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of drivers is matched only by his dedication to creating the infrastructure that will support their growth and success in the sport. Through Rayo Racing and initiatives such as Indi Karting, Banajee, is not only shaping the future of motorsport in India but also offering a clear path to Formula 1 for aspiring drivers.

Rayomand Banajee, a name synonymous with success in the world of motorsport, began his journey in a manner few may have anticipated. Long before he became an eight-time Formula Car and Karting Champion, a racing coach and mentor, and the founder of Rayo Racing, Indi Karting, and IR-E Sports, Banajee, harboured dreams that lay far…

WORDS:
RACHNA TYAGI
Horsepower and Heartbreak: Remembering Fiat in India

Some cars are bought. Others are loved. Fiat belonged firmly to the latter. A deeply personal account of why the Italian marque mattered, even when the market moved on.

A Prelude to Passion Some automotive relationships are forged through spreadsheets, resale values, and rational choices. Others are born in the heart—irrational, emotional, and fiercely loyal. My relationship with Fiat in India belongs squarely in the latter category. It is a story of admiration, infatuation, devotion, and, ultimately, heartbreak. A chronicle of a brand that…

WORDS:
ASHWIN MOORTHY
A love letter to my Skoda Laura 2.0 TDI

The year 2020 said stay put. I didn’t. I drove 12,000 kms across India with one loyal partner – my lady in red – my Skoda Laura 2.0 TDI DSG. This isn’t a travelogue. It’s the story of how a machine turned fear into forward motion and chaos into memory.

Since my teenage years, friends and family have called me “Mr. Petrolhead.” Not because I merely spoke about cars, or collected auto magazines, or amassed countless Hot Wheels models, but because I was everyone’s go-to guy for anything on wheels. Ironically, despite the moniker, I only discovered true automobile devotion when I bought my diesel…

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ASHWIN MOORTHY
Vintage to Vroom

Nestled in Baku, Azerbaijan, the Heydar Aliyev Classic Car Museum, presents an extraordinary collection of rare automobiles, from bespoke vehicles crafted for high-ranking Soviet Politburo members to exquisite rarities from across the globe. This distinguished assemblage not only offers a glimpse into the refined tastes and affluence of Heydar Aliyev, but also serves as a compelling testament to automotive engineering, seamlessly bridging the heritage of classic craftsmanship with the marvels of modern technology. Join Lakshmi Muthukumar as she takes us on a tour.

My visit to the Heydar Aliyev Classic Car Museum was accidental. The Heydar Aliyev Centre was on our itinerary and when we were purchasing the tickets, our Azeri guide, Baynur, mentioned that there was another “classical art museum” located within the centre. I was all for “classical art” and we bought tickets to visit both…

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DR. LAKSHMI MUTHUKUMAR
Willkommen im Museum

A visit to Stuttgart without a pilgrimage to the Mercedes-Benz Museum would be a sacrilege for car lovers and even those otherwise inclined.

When a work trip seemed to start and end with everything but the star, I managed to cook up a white lie and dash off to the Mercedes-Benz Museum with only two hours to spare before closing time. As you approach the building you can sense the grandeur that awaits inside – but trust me this…

WORDS:
FAREEDA KANGA
Driving to Gurudongmar: India’s Highest Lake

The idea of cloud-kissed skies, wide open roads and snow-capped views was just the adrenaline rush that Dareer Malik needed, and so, he drove from Kolkata to Sikkim’s Gurudongmar Lake – the highest lake in India, and also one of the highest lakes in the world!

The northeastern state of Sikkim may beckon road trippers for many reasons – its sunrises, alpine meadows, stunning views and tranquil villages. But for lawyer Dareer Malik, who had visited Sikkim earlier, there was one more thing he wanted to do: drive up to the Gurudongmar Lake in his Mahindra Thar. Now, the picturesque Gurudongmar…

WORDS:
ISMAT TAHSEEN
A Culinary Journey On Wheels

The Tempo Traveller from Force Motors is Shiv Sagar’s choice for their food truck which is a compact, zero-emission smart city vehicle with a monocoque design has a curated menu of iconic favourites and is currently parked at One BKC to cater to professionals, office-goers, and visitors.

This iconic spot is our go-to for buttery Pav Bhaji and top-tier South Indian delicacies. Founded by Narayan Poojary in 1978 at New Marine Lines, Shiv Sagar quickly became a city favourite and expanded to multiple locations. Honouring its legacy of flavours and nostalgia, the brand has now embraced a food truck format, bringing its most-loved dishes straight to you…

WORDS:
NASRIN MODAK SIDDIQI
Going Rogue

An Indian Journalist hits the road from Illinois to Michigan along with her sister, in a Nissan Rogue, blending their chalk and cheese personalities on an epic road trip. Read on…

While travelling long distances by road, in India, wasn’t new to me, the idea of my first ever “road trip” to Michigan, USA, definitely was. And so, imagine my excitement when during an assignment in Chicago, my Palo-Alto based sister, Smita, suggested that we drive along the picturesque lake Michigan to visit the Sleeping Bear…

WORDS:
NEETA KOLHATKAR
To the Lighthouse

An impromptu day trip to Daman in the Audi Q3 was the perfect panacea after a month of strenuous toil. From the forts and the Churches to the colourful buildings and the beaches, Daman has it all.

A few days back, on a beautiful Sunday morning, my classmate, N, and I, decided to take a road trip to Daman in the well-engineered, luxe SUV, the Audi Q3, and boy, were we in for a pleasant surprise! Since we had already driven to Diu last year (Read all about it here – https://www.turnofspeed.in/feature/diu-tour.html),…

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RACHNA TYAGI
LA VIE

Cars are Cars, and Fashion is Fashion and never the twain shall meet? Wrong! Fareeda Kanga steps into the exhilarating world of sleek automobiles and high fashion at Museo Automovilistico de Malaga, Spain, and gives us the lowdown.

If you happen to be in Malaga – The birthplace of Pablo Picasso and gateway to the Costa Del Sol, don’t miss out on this truly unique museum. Not just a treat for automobile lovers — this one manages to draw a rather eclectic parallel between the world of haute couture and automobiles! Curious? The…

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FAREEDA KANGA