Shillong’s Phoebe Nongrum to Represent India at the 2026 Asia Auto Gymkhana Championship

Meghalaya's motorsport scene is shifting into a higher gear. Phoebe Dale Nongrum is all set to represent India at Round 2 of the 2026 Asia Auto Gymkhana Championship, taking place in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from September 4 to 6.Her selection is a landmark moment for Meghalaya and the entire North-East. Phoebe becomes the first racer from Meghalaya and the North-East to compete in an international auto gymkhana championship, carrying the region’s motorsport ambitions onto a global platform. She will be part of a five-member Indian contingent competing against talented drivers from across Asia.Speed Meets PrecisionAuto gymkhana is not simply about pressing the accelerator. It is a high-pressure test of precision, concentration, reaction time and vehicle control.Drivers must navigate highly technical courses packed with tight turns, obstacles and rapid manoeuvres. Every second matters, but so does every move. One mistake can cost valuable time. For Phoebe, the discipline presents an exciting new challenge after years of experience in circuit racing and cross-country rallying.A Trailblazer Behind the WheelPhoebe has already broken barriers in Indian motorsport. She became the first female Formula 4 driver from Meghalaya and the North-East, competing in the JK Tyre Formula 4 championship with Ahura Racing in 2020 and 2021. Since becoming a full-time motorsport athlete in 2023, she has continued to build an impressive record in national rallying.She finished runner-up in the women’s category of the Indian National Rally Championship in both 2024 and 2025. Her 2025 season was particularly remarkable. At the Dakshin Dare Cross Country Rally, she secured three podium finishes—winning the Ladies category, taking third place in the T1 Modified Car category and finishing among the overall Top 4.She also claimed third place in the T1 Xtreme category at the Rally of the Himalayas, alongside a Best Team award with her co-driver.A New Road AheadThe Uzbekistan round is another important step in Phoebe’s journey. The championship began with its opening round at the Sokol International Circuit in the Kyrgyzstan-Kazakhstan region and will later travel to Hong Kong, Thailand, India and Chinese Taipei.Now, as she prepares to take on a completely different kind of technical challenge, Phoebe is doing more than chasing the clock. She is putting Meghalaya, the North-East and India firmly on the motorsport map.