Shillong-based motorsport athlete Phoebe Dale Nongrum will represent India at Round 2 of the 2026 Asia Auto Gymkhana Championship in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from September 4 to 6. Nongrum is part of a five-member Indian team competing in the international championship. Her selection also marks a significant milestone for Meghalaya and the Northeast, as she becomes the first racer from the region to compete in an international auto gymkhana championship. The event will test her precision, vehicle control, reaction speed and consistency on a technical course.
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Key Facts
- Racer: Phoebe Dale Nongrum
- Hometown: Shillong, Meghalaya
- Representing: India
- Championship: 2026 Asia Auto Gymkhana Championship
- Round: Round 2
- Location: Tashkent, Uzbekistan
- Dates: September 4–6, 2026
- Indian contingent: Five members
- Major milestone: First racer from Meghalaya and the Northeast at an international auto gymkhana competition
Phoebe Dale Nongrum Makes History
Nongrum’s participation marks another major step in her motorsport career. She has competed professionally across circuit racing and rallying and has worked as a full-time motorsport athlete since 2023.
Earlier, she became the first female Formula 4 driver from Meghalaya and the Northeast. She competed in the JK Tyre Formula 4 Championship with Ahura Racing during the 2020 and 2021 seasons.
Later, Nongrum shifted her focus to national rallying. She finished runner-up in the women’s category of the Indian National Rally Championship in both 2024 and 2025.
Strong Record in National Rallying
Nongrum delivered several notable performances during the 2025 season.
At the Dakshin Dare Cross Country Rally, she secured three podium finishes. She won the Ladies category, finished third in the T1 Modified Car category and placed among the top four overall.
She also finished third in the T1 Xtreme category at the Rally of the Himalayas. In addition, she and her co-driver won the Best Team award.
New Challenge in Uzbekistan
The Uzbekistan round will present a different challenge for Nongrum. Her previous competitions have mainly focused on circuit racing and cross-country rallying.
Auto gymkhana, however, demands quick decision-making and precise vehicle control. Drivers must navigate tight turns, obstacles and technical manoeuvres while completing the course as quickly as possible.
Therefore, consistency and accuracy will be just as important as speed during the competition.
India Competes on International Stage
Nongrum joins four other Indian racers in the five-member national contingent for the championship.
The 2026 Asia Auto Gymkhana Championship began with its opening round at the Sokol International Circuit in the Kyrgyzstan-Kazakhstan region.
After the Tashkent round, the championship will continue with scheduled rounds in Hong Kong, Thailand, India and Chinese Taipei.
Meghalaya’s Motorsport Presence Grows
Nongrum’s international appearance puts Meghalaya’s motorsport talent on a wider platform.
Her journey from Formula 4 to national rallying and now international auto gymkhana demonstrates the growing participation of athletes from the Northeast in competitive motorsport.
As she takes on the Tashkent challenge, her performance will attract attention not only from Indian motorsport fans but also from supporters across Meghalaya and the wider Northeast.
Questions and Answers
Who is representing India in the Asia Auto Gymkhana Championship from Meghalaya?
Shillong-based racer Phoebe Dale Nongrum is representing India.
When is Round 2 taking place?
Round 2 will take place from September 4 to 6, 2026.
Where will the competition take place?
The second round will take place in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
What makes Nongrum’s participation historic?
She is the first racer from Meghalaya and the Northeast to represent the region at an international auto gymkhana competition.
What are Nongrum’s major achievements?
She became the first female Formula 4 driver from Meghalaya and the Northeast and later finished runner-up in the women’s category of the Indian National Rally Championship in 2024 and 2025.
Location Context
Meghalaya has produced athletes across several sporting disciplines, and Nongrum’s international motorsport appearance adds another achievement to the state’s growing sporting profile. Her participation also gives the wider Northeast a stronger presence on the international motorsport stage.
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