Bani Yadav
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 Bani Yadav during the 2015 Asia-Pacific Rally Championship. | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Nationality |  Indian |
| Born | 7 September 1971 |
| World Rally Championship record | |
| Active years | 2013–present |
| Teams | Maruti Suzuki |
| Championships | 2018 National Autocross Champion
2015 and 2016 Asia-Pacific Rally Championship, Indian Rally Championship Rally De North, Indian Rally Championship |
| First rally | Maruti Suzuki 16th Raid De Himalayas |
| Last win | XV Speed Sprint |
| Last rally | Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm Rally 2017 |
Dr. Bani Yadav (born 7 September 1971) is an Indian rally driver, motorsports promoter and social rights supporter. Yadav was the only woman in India to win most of the major Cross Country Rally Titles in the national women's category.[1]
Yadav was born in Lucknow and raised in Delhi. Her first experience with racing was at age 13, inspiring her to compete for the first time in the 2013 Jaipur Speed Sprint at the age of 43. She finished at second place.
Yadav was the fastest woman driver in the 2015 Asia-Pacific Rally Championship. Yadav participates in events for women's empowerment, endorsing equal rights and gender equality.
Bani was the National Autocross Champion-Woman in 2018 and 2019.[2] She is the first woman from India to drive Formula 4 cars outside of India at the Abu Dhabi Yas Marina Circuit. She is the only woman in India to have been awarded a doctorate in motorsports.
Yadav suffered from a dehabilitating spine injury in October 2013. Her recovery involved two back surgeries and took six months. She returned to racing afterwards.
Personal life
Yadav is married to her friend Suresh and has two sons, who are also rally drivers.[3]
Career results
| Year | Date | Races | Position | Category | Place | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 2 to 10 October | Maruti Suzuki 16th Raid De Himalayas | 1st | Women | [4] | |
| 2014 | 14 to 16 November | Maruti Suzuki Autocross 2014 | 1st | Women | Chandigarh | |
| Pro Mode Dsl Maruti | 1st | Men & Women | ||||
| Pro Stock 4x4 | 2nd | Men & Women | ||||
| Pro Mode Dsl Open | 3rd | Men & Women | ||||
| The Solo Challenge | 1st | Women | ||||
| 2014 | 28 to 30 November | The Ultimate Desert Challenge | 29th | Men & Women | Bikaner,
Rajasthan |
[4] |
| 2014 | 13 to 14 December | 10th Speed Sprint | Men & Women | Manesar, Gurgaon | ||
| Modified 4x4, over 2000 CC | 1st | |||||
| Unmodified 4x4, over 2000 CC | 1st | |||||
| Unmodified, up to 2000 CC | 1st | |||||
| Unmodified, over 2000 CC | 1st | |||||
| Unmodified Diesel Open | 2nd | |||||
| Modified Diesel Open | 3rd | |||||
| Modified Diesel, any CC | 1st | |||||
| Unmodified Diesel, any CC | 1st | |||||
| 2014 | 20 to 21 December | 6th OYA Autocars & Motocross Cum OFF Roading Challenge | Men & Women | Chandigarh | ||
| SUV Open | 2nd | |||||
| Diesel Open | 2nd | |||||
| Woman's | 1st | Women | ||||
| 2015 | 9 to 11 January | Royal Rajasthan Rally | 1st | Women | Jaipur | |
| 2015 | 22 February to 1 March | Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm Rally | 1st | Women | [4] | |
| 16th | Men & Women | [4] | ||||
| 2015 | 15 June | Maruti Suzuki Dakshin Dare Rally | 1st | Women | Uttarakhand | |
| 2015 | August | Rally Cross Jaipur | 1st | Men & Women | Uttarakhand | |
| Diesel Category | 1st | |||||
| Amateur Category | 3rd | |||||
| 2015 | 15 November | XIV Speed Sprint | 1st | Women | Faridabad | |
| 2015 | 18 to 20 December | Auto Cross | 1st | Women | ||
| 2016 | Dakshin Dare Rally | 2nd | Men & Women | |||
| 2016 | Uttrakhand Rally | 3rd | Men & Women | Uttarakhand | ||
| 2016 | Rally De North - Indian Rally Championship Round | 2nd | Men & Women | |||
| 2017 | Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm Rally | 1st | Women | Rajasthan | ||
| Maruti Suzuki National Autocross Championship | 1st | Women | Delhi | |||
| 2018 | Indian National Autocross Championship | 1st
3rd |
Women, above 1650cc | North Zone | ||
| 2019 | Indian National Autocross Championship | 1st | Women | Mumbai | [4] |