Dr. Bani Mathur Yadav (born 7 September 1971) is an Indian rally driver, motorsports promoter and social rights supporter. Yadav was the only woman in India to win most of the major Cross Country Rally Titles in the national women's category.
Early life and career Dr. Bani Mathur Yadav was born in Lucknow and raised in Delhi and is a direct descendant of Lala KanjiMal Mathur, the Jagirdar of Madanpur in present-day Ferozabad district, Uttar Pradesh. The Mathur family constituted the erstwhile ruling and landed family of Madanpur.
Her paternal grandfather, Raghubir Sahai Mathur, was among the first Chief Engineers of the Municipal Corporation of the erstwhile United Provinces, later Uttar Pradesh. Her maternal grandfather, Hari Narayan Mathur, served as the first Transport Commissioner of the United Provinces following Indian independence.
Yadav was brought up in Delhi and attended Army Public School, Dhaula Kuan. She graduated in Geography from the University of Delhi and later obtained a diploma in Advertising and Public Relations. Her interest in automobiles began at an early age, and she first drove a vehicle at the age of thirteen. She later married her high school friend, Suresh Yadav.Her first experience with racing was at age 13, inspiring her to compete for the first time in the 2013 Jaipur Speed Sprint at the age of 43. She finished at second place.
Yadav was the fastest woman driver in the 2015 Asia-Pacific Rally Championship. Yadav participates in events for women's empowerment, endorsing equal rights and gender equality.
Bani was the National Autocross Champion-Woman in 2018 and 2019. She is the first woman from India to drive Formula 4 cars outside of India at the Abu Dhabi Yas Marina Circuit. She is the only woman in India to have been awarded a doctorate in motorsports.
Yadav suffered from a dehabilitating spine injury in October 2013. Her recovery involved two back surgeries and took six months. She returned to racing afterwards.
Personal life Yadav is married to her friend Suresh and has two sons, who are also rally drivers.
Career results +YearDateRacesPositionCategoryPlaceRef2014 2 to 10 OctoberMaruti Suzuki 16th Raid De Himalayas1stWomen201414 to 16 NovemberMaruti Suzuki Autocross 20141stWomenChandigarhPro Mode Dsl Maruti1stMen & WomenPro Stock 4x42ndMen & WomenPro Mode Dsl Open3rdMen & WomenThe Solo Challenge1stWomen201428 to 30 NovemberThe Ultimate Desert Challenge29th Men & WomenBikaner, Rajasthan201413 to 14 December10th Speed SprintMen & WomenManesar, GurgaonModified 4x4, over 2000 CC1stUnmodified 4x4, over 2000 CC1stUnmodified, up to 2000 CC1stUnmodified, over 2000 CC1stUnmodified Diesel Open2ndModified Diesel Open3rdModified Diesel, any CC1stUnmodified Diesel, any CC1st201420 to 21 December6th OYA Autocars & Motocross Cum OFF Roading ChallengeMen & WomenChandigarhSUV Open 2ndDiesel Open 2ndWoman's1stWomen20159 to 11 JanuaryRoyal Rajasthan Rally 1stWomenJaipur201522 February to 1 MarchMaruti Suzuki Desert Storm Rally1stWomen16thMen & Women201515 JuneMaruti Suzuki Dakshin Dare Rally1stWomenUttarakhand2015AugustRally Cross Jaipur1stMen & WomenUttarakhandDiesel Category1stAmateur Category3rd201515 NovemberXIV Speed Sprint1stWomenFaridabad201518 to 20 DecemberAuto Cross1stWomen2016Dakshin Dare Rally 2ndMen & Women2016Uttrakhand Rally 3rdMen & WomenUttarakhand2016Rally De North - Indian Rally Championship Round 2ndMen & Women2017Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm Rally1stWomenRajasthanMaruti Suzuki National Autocross Championship1stWomenDelhi2018Indian National Autocross Championship1st
3rdWomen, above 1650ccNorth Zone2019Indian National Autocross Championship1stWomenMumbai
Achievements
National Autocross Champion India 2018 | 2019 - Ladies
1st woman to win second position in Rally De North part of Indian Rally
1st woman to have won – The Asia pacific rally Cup of Coffee Day Rally - Indian Rally championship women's category in 2015.
1st in Class 2000cc - The Asia pacific rally cup of Coffee Day Rally - Indian Rally championship.
4th in ASIA Pacific Rally Cup rally.
3rd 1650cc category in the Maruti Suzuki National Autocross championship 2016
1st woman from India to officially drive formula 4 car outside of India at the Abu Dhabi Yas Marina Circuit and tested the PS 4 sports tyres for Michelin.
Only Indian Woman to be awarded with an International Doctorate in MotorSports in India (Management by the CommonWealth Vocational University of Tonga)
Awarded the Haryana State Government “ Best Sportsperson Award for 2017 -18
Awarded "The TOPMOST Woman Rallyist OF The Year" Award for 2016 -17 (International Association of Educators for World Peace - Affiliated to United Nations)
Awarded The Outstanding Woman in Motorsports for Rallying for 2016, by FMSCI.
Awarded the Nirbhaya Jyoti National Woman Achiever Award 2018
Awarded the Main Hoon Beti Award 2018 by the Uttar Pradesh administration
Facilitated By the Ambassador of Argentine Republic His Excellency Mr Daniel Chuburu for contribution towards Motorsports
Awarded by the Confederation of Indian Industries the CII – IWN Woman Achiever Award 2017.
Felicitated by The Ramraj Environment for outstanding contribution towards women Empowerment on Good Governance Day
Awarded the Top Woman Achiever Award by Bharti Airtel Ltd. in 2017.
Awarded with the Woman's Achievers Award by Amity University for the Year 2016.
Recognised as One of the Top 4 Woman Achievers on the eve of 70th year of India's Independence by Doordarshan in 2017.
References
External links
https://instagram.com/drbaniyadavofficial?r=nametag