Willon wheels

Vartika Pande
Syed Adil Kazmi,who besides being one of the contestants on the show,has also been her guide and friend much before the show happened. Training under him,at his Bhopal Biker Boyz,Vartika Pande,although from Pune,was selected from the Mumbai auditions. “I started training seriously a year-and-a-half ago; before that I was a pillion rider for another one-and-a-half years. Being a member of Stunt Rider Gurlz,Firdos and I had been consistently practicing at Undri,” says the second year law student,who has also featured in the Bajaj XCD135 cc advertisement.
A professional stunt rider,she is an expert at stoppie and chain-saw. Calling the stunts on the show one of her greatest adventures so far,Pande says,“I would like to take it up as a career. Speed is an adrenaline rush and even when I talk of it,I feel it within my veins. My family has always supported me and it has been an exciting journey so far; participating in the Stunt War is my final aim.”

Smithaa Gondkar
Intensely into biking since childhood,she had yet never participated in any competition before this. Having done it ‘for fun’ and along with her brother who is a motocross rider,for 24-year-old Smithaa Gondkar,biking was a passion that she fought for,beginning from the home turf. “It is always considered risky if a girl is doing something like this and there was skepticism at home. I never participated in any of the races. Seeing my brother ride all these years,I was naturally inclined towards speed,” adds Gondkar,who is also an actress,has worked as a wine connoisseur in Florida,was a national judo player and is heavily into water sports.
Speaking about a stunt she performed on the show recently she adds,“I am surprised I did it. The stunts are so creatively thought of and after every stunt you feel like a winner.” Currently juggling her passion and profession,she says,“I am someone who likes both Barbies and bikes. However,being featured here is a step forward towards that identity. Speed gives me a sense of adventure. Correct body alignment with the bike,balance and most importantly,throttle and you have a perfect stunt.”

Firdos Shaikh
As a kid,if she ranked first,her mother would gift her a toy car,if she stood second,a toy bike and that’s how,she says the motivation began. Always interested in tanks,airplanes and bikes,Firdos Shaikh grew up on her father’s and grandfather’s bikes.
“I started pulling off stunts just a couple of years ago,practicing once a week for four to five years. A double seat wheelie that I had done once happened to be my craziest stunt before this show; now it’s a mind blowing game altogether. From the most expensive equipments to safety gears,there is a so much beyond biking that we got to learn,” adds Shaikh,who has been a part of a number of races and is also the member of Stunt Rider Gurlz group in the city.
Hoping to make a career out of it,this student of pharmacy adds,“Speed gives me a sense of freedom and complete control. It is an extremely expensive sport and if sponsorships come my way in future,I’ll definitely move ahead on the right track.”