Ishayet Hossain: The 17-year-old Bangladeshi junior champ on the race track | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Get the Paper
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Thursday
July 24, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Get the Paper
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
THURSDAY, JULY 24, 2025
Ishayet Hossain: The 17-year-old Bangladeshi junior champ on the race track

Sports

Tanvir Ahmed Pranto
27 February, 2022, 11:45 am
Last modified: 27 February, 2022, 04:25 pm

Related News

  • Avik Anwar determines S1K podium as equal to five podiums of any 'normal' series
  • 'Toughest race podium of my life': Avik Anwar finishes P2 in second round of Malaysian Championship Series, dedicates to the Sylhet flood victims
  • Avik finishes P1 in Malaysian Championship Series
  • ‘Now it feels like I deserve it’: Avik a race away from history
  • Avik Anwar wins Race 2 of Round 4 in Volkswagen Polo Cup in India, dedicates it to his father

Ishayet Hossain: The 17-year-old Bangladeshi junior champ on the race track

The 17-year old became the first-ever Bangladeshi to win the Junior Champion crown of the VW Polo Cup race series in India earlier this month. 

Tanvir Ahmed Pranto
27 February, 2022, 11:45 am
Last modified: 27 February, 2022, 04:25 pm
Photo: VW Motorsport India
Photo: VW Motorsport India

While his friends were mostly into either cricket or football, Ishayet Hossain had a powerful attraction for cars from a very early age. He started driving cars, unbeknownst to his family, when he was only 10 years old. 

Well, he doesn't have to hide it anymore. The 17-year old became the first-ever Bangladeshi to win the Junior Champion crown of the VW Polo Cup race series in India earlier this month. 

It was the proudest moment of his life. A novice racer with no prior experience, from a country that has no race track or any facilities for new-gen racers, winning an international championship is indeed a huge achievement, both for him and the country. 

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

"When they announced the winner 'Ishayet Hossain from Bangladesh', I felt proud. Maybe I did something so big that I can't even imagine myself. So it was a great feeling and I cannot express that in words," a proud Ishayet couldn't hide his happiness as he was speaking to The Business Standard (TBS). 

"When they announced the winner 'Ishayet Hossain from Bangladesh', I felt proud. Maybe I did something so big that I can't even imagine myself. So it was a great feeling and I cannot express that in words."

What's even better for Ishayet is he had his first inspiration and mentor Avik Anwar with him during the whole tournament and the prize-giving ceremony. Avik finished fourth in the same championship, in the senior category, and had a couple of podium finishes in the race. 

"My first inspiration was Avik bhai (Avik Anwar). My interest in racing grew after watching him bagging success without any kind of guidelines or facilities. Then I followed his guidelines and started racing on my own."

"It was special, definitely. My mentor, my brother, Avik bhai supported me all through the championship. He even concentrated on my race before his race and was instructing me to do this and that. And when I won the race, he was so proud. I could see it in his eyes," Ishayet added. 

Ishayet dislocated his shoulder while doing the NGK Pro Car Racing in UAE just a week before the final of the Indian championship. He fought through the pain, took painkillers, kept on racing and eventually won it. 

"I was second in my category until the accident. I crashed my car and dislocated my right shoulder. After that incident, I couldn't feel my shoulder in India from the second race. I had to take painkillers."

He had to experience difficulties, apart from that accident. With no race tracks in Bangladesh, all he had to do was practice on simulators. Ishayet thinks a simulator can't give a total real-life idea of a race track. 

"There are no facilities here. No race tracks, no go-karting. How far can you go with simulators, really? A real racing track is totally different. A simulator cannot really capture the different real track conditions, ever. Simulator gives you a thorough idea, but the real-life experience is different," he said. 

"When I went there for the first time, I noticed everyone else was good. I was probably the one who was not good. I was scared and kept thinking about whether I would be able to do it," Ishayet added.

"But when I first got on the track, after five laps, my timing was better than theirs. That's when I regained my confidence that maybe I can do it."

And boy did he do it in style! 

Ishayet has been pretty lucky to have the support of his family all through his racing journey. He still faces financial obstacles as a race costs around BDT 30 to 35 lakhs. But the encouragement from his family, especially his dad, keeps him going. 

"Mental support is the most important, I think. One may get a sponsor and can race, but mental support from friends and family is very important. If you don't get inspired by people, how will you get inspired to do something big?"

"Mental support is the most important, I think. One may get a sponsor and can race, but mental support from friends and family is very important. If you don't get inspired by people, how will you get inspired to do something big?"

Ishayet just got admitted to a university and is currently looking after his dad's business. He believes it's possible to continue education, business and racing altogether if someone is passionate enough. 

"I will participate in international events and try to represent my country."  

He is planning to do the next full season of the NGK Pro championship in the UAE. He also has a plan to do a full championship in Sepang, Malaysia this year. 

His proud mentor, Avik, said Ishayet has improved a lot since he first saw him. But Avik urged him to lose weight as this matters a lot in the racing arena. Avik doesn't want Ishayet to make the same mistakes he did during his early racing days.

Ishayet in the prize-giving ceremony with his mentor, Avik Anwar.
Ishayet in the prize-giving ceremony with his mentor, Avik Anwar.

"Ishayet has improved a lot even though he has been practising on simulators for a few months. And the raw speed is there in him. But he needs to lose weight, massively. Every 10 kilo is like one second on the track, which means a mile in a race. You need to look like an athlete, or else you're done in the long run."

Ishayet is here for the long run. And there are so many raw talents like him in Bangladesh who are yet to announce themselves on the big stage. It's about time proper facilities are provided to passionate motorsport drivers like Ishayet to unleash the champs in them on the international circuits.

Others

motorsports / Ishayet Hossain / Volkswagen Polo Cup

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • BB asks female staff to wear 'modest' attire, discourages short-sleeved or length dresses, leggings
    BB asks female staff to wear 'modest' attire, discourages short-sleeved or length dresses, leggings
  • Representational image. Photo: Collected
    US yet to confirm third-round talks as tariff deadline looms
  • Govt amends public service rules further, adding appeal rights, forced retirement
    Govt amends public service rules further, adding appeal rights, forced retirement

MOST VIEWED

  • Photo: Collected
    Bangladeshi man jailed for life in UK for murdering wife in front of their baby
  • Ctg port authority halts contractor recruitment for Kamalapur ICD operations for two months
    Ctg port authority halts contractor recruitment for Kamalapur ICD operations for two months
  • Fire at Cosmo School in Mirpur on 23 July 2025. Photo: TBS
    Fire breaks out at Cosmo School in Mirpur following generator explosion
  • Representational image. File Photo: Rajib Dhar/TBS
    Debate arises as edu adviser says postponed HSC exams of 22 and 24 July will be held on same day
  • The Government Seal of Bangladesh
    Govt mulls allowing trade unions with 20 workers, industry leaders warn of disorder
  • Photo: CA Press Wing
    Stronger stance needed on maintaining law and order: Political parties to CA

Related News

  • Avik Anwar determines S1K podium as equal to five podiums of any 'normal' series
  • 'Toughest race podium of my life': Avik Anwar finishes P2 in second round of Malaysian Championship Series, dedicates to the Sylhet flood victims
  • Avik finishes P1 in Malaysian Championship Series
  • ‘Now it feels like I deserve it’: Avik a race away from history
  • Avik Anwar wins Race 2 of Round 4 in Volkswagen Polo Cup in India, dedicates it to his father

Features

Photo: Collected

24 July: More than 1400 arrested, 3 missing coordinators found

1d | Panorama
Photo: Mehedi Hasan/TBS

Aggrieved nation left with questions as citizens rally to help at burn institute

1d | Panorama
Photo: TBS

Mourning turns into outrage as Milestone students seek truth and justice

1d | Panorama
Illustration: TBS

Uttara, Jatrabari, Savar and more: The killing fields that ran red with July martyrs’ blood

2d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

ISPR reports 31 dead, official tally 29

ISPR reports 31 dead, official tally 29

2h | TBS Today
13 political parties meet with chief advisor; urge to announce election date

13 political parties meet with chief advisor; urge to announce election date

3h | TBS Today
Bangladesh and Pakistan unite to fight drugs

Bangladesh and Pakistan unite to fight drugs

4h | TBS Today
Case Study of Milestone Tragedy

Case Study of Milestone Tragedy

4h | TBS Today
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net