Three Nepali drivers competing in third edition of Asia Auto Gymkhana Championship in India

Kathmandu: Three Nepali drivers, two male and one female, are competing in the third edition of the Asia Auto Gymkhana Championship 2025. 

The Championship, regarded as one of the most prestigious competitions in the Asian region, kicked off in Gurgaon, India, on Saturday. Representing the Nepal Automobiles Association (NASA Nepal), the Nepali drivers will be competing in different categories, including Male Solo, Male Double, Female Solo, and Mixed Double, showcasing their skill, courage, and creativity.

According to a press release from NASA Nepal, Nepal’s team comprises Jay Pratap Maskey, Rabin Sunuwar, and Bipasana Tamang, with Secretary of the Marshal and Training Commission of NASA Nepal, Ashish Rauniyar, serving as the team manager.

Nepal’s experienced driver, Jay Pratap Maskey, is competing as the first male driver; he had also participated in the Autocross category during the Asia-Pacific Motor Sports Championship held in Colombo last month. Similarly, Rabin Sunuwar is participating as the second male driver, having competed in the same category in Colombo. Bipasana Tamang continues her participation in the same category and role.

According to Nepal’s team manager Ashish Rauniyar, a total of 12 teams from 8 countries are competing in this third round. The preliminary rounds are being held today, while the final rounds will take place tomorrow, November 2, at the Gurgaon circuit.

Out of a total of 12 teams, representing various national motorsports federations from across Asia are competing in the event, each consisting of two male drivers and one female driver, the press release added.

Nepali drivers have been competing in various Auto Gymkhana events across the Asia-Pacific region for nearly a decade. 

Just last month, Ashish Bharati of Nepal made history by winning a gold medal in the Solo Event of the Asia-Pacific Motor Sports Championship’s Auto Gymkhana category, defeating drivers from 17 countries — a proud moment for Nepal’s motorsports history. This achievement has proven that Nepali drivers can excel at the international level in Auto Gymkhana.

Originating in Asia over a decade ago, Auto Gymkhana has now become one of the most popular disciplines in global motorsports. It has been officially endorsed by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) — the world governing body for motorsports.

The Gymkhana event, which is gaining global popularity under motorsports, is one of the most promising and exciting motor racing formats in Asia. The event can be organized even on small circuits and involves highly technical and artistically designed tracks. 

Competitors must drive through a prescribed route map, aiming to finish in the shortest time possible while minimizing penalties. The driver and team who complete their race within the set parameters, with minimal errors and the fastest time, are declared the winners.

This annual championship series is hosted across various Asian nations. This year’s edition began in Kazakhstan, continued in Sri Lanka, and is now being held in India. The next two rounds are scheduled to take place in Taiwan and Uzbekistan later this year.

Introduced institutionally in Nepal about 15 years ago, motorsports in the country has now expanded to include dozens of national events and several international competitions. 

The Nepal Automobiles Association (NASA Nepal) has been promoting various forms of motorsports, including car racing, motorcycling, power boating, karting, sim racing, and even drone racing. Through these initiatives, Nepali athletes have been gaining valuable opportunities to establish themselves on the global motorsports stage.