Phoebe Dale Nongrum is Northeast India’s first professional female Formula 4 driver and rally racer, breaking barriers from her home base of Shillong, Meghalaya—a place not exactly known for churning out motorsport champions.

EARLY YEARS

Born on June 11, 2000, in Shillong, Meghalaya, Phoebe discovered her obsession with cars at age 12. While most kids her age were figuring out homework, she was waking up early to convince her driver to let her behind the wheel on the twisty mountain roads around her hometown. She learned to drive young—really young—and fell hard for the idea of motor racing by 2007.[1][2]

Her father, Onesimus Pasi, an IPS officer and current DIG of the Garo Hills, had other plans. He wanted her to follow in his footsteps and become a cop. Phoebe had zero interest in that path. Instead, she kept sneaking seat time and dreaming about racetracks. As a kid, her dad would let her sit on his lap while he drove, letting her grip the wheel—a memory she credits as sparking the whole thing.[3][4]

The turning point? She started bringing home trophies. Enough of them that her father eventually caved and told her she didn’t have to write her exams anymore. That’s when the dream became real.[5]

OTHER INTERESTS

Beyond the racetrack, Phoebe is also a published author. Under the name Alethea Phoebe Nongrum, she released a book titled *Her*, a collection of glimpses and reflections. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and spent over a decade in corporate jobs, including a stint with Red Bull, before hitting a crossroads and choosing racing full-time.[6][7]

She’s described racing as deeply personal—like therapy. “If I don’t go racing, I feel very low,” she’s said. It’s not just a career for her; it’s what keeps her balanced.[8]

EARLY SUCCESS

Phoebe’s journey into professional motorsport began when she competed for a spot on India’s first all-female Formula racing team, built by URA Racing Team. She was up against 60 women—many with karting backgrounds and track experience. She had neither. What she did have was a fearless approach and a refusal to back down. She made the cut.[9]

Her grassroots beginning quickly escalated. She secured a place in the first Formula national women’s team and became a lead driver for Ahura Racing, competing in the LGB Formula 4 series. In 2018, she made history as the first woman from Northeast India to participate in the JK Tyre-FMSCI National Racing Championships.[10][11]

She also ventured into rally racing, co-driving at two National Rallies—the Arunachal Festival of Speed and the Indian National Rally Championship (INRC). Her dual-discipline approach set her apart early on.[12]

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2018: First woman from Northeast India to compete in the JK Tyre-FMSCI National Racing Championships[13].
• 2020: Third podium finish at the 23rd JK Tyre National Racing Championship in Coimbatore, creating history as part of the first national women’s racing team[14][15].
• 2024: Won Women’s INRC class at the 47th MMSC South India Rally with co-driver Nash Ross, representing Snap Racing[16][17].
• 2025: Competed in the K1000 Rally, finishing second in the women’s class with co-driver Sanath G[18].

INSPIRATIONS

Phoebe credits her father for her early exposure to driving, even if his original dream for her was law enforcement. She’s also spoken about the importance of self-belief, once saying, “No one knows you better than you. No one can stop you from doing or achieving anything except the limit in your own mind.”[19]

Her time working with Red Bull and immersing herself in the motorsport world further fueled her commitment to racing professionally, even when it meant walking away from corporate stability.[20]

REPUTATION

Phoebe is widely recognized as a trailblazer—not just for women in Indian motorsport, but specifically for representation from Northeast India, a region historically underrepresented in national racing circuits. She’s been featured in TEDx talks, podcasts like *Screen to Speed*, and motorsport media across India, where she’s celebrated for her grit and willingness to compete in disciplines that few women from her region have even attempted.[21][22]

Her journey resonates because it’s not polished or privileged—it’s scrappy, self-made, and fiercely determined. She didn’t come from karting academies or racing families. She came from Shillong with a dream and kept showing up until people had no choice but to pay attention.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

Phoebe has set her sights on winning the Indian National Rally Championship in 2025. She’s actively competing in the INRC series and continues to push for more representation and opportunities for women in Indian motorsport.[23]

REFERENCES

[1] Queen Of The Race Track – Eclectic Northeast
[2] Dad wanted her to become a cop like him but She wanted cars and speed – Book of Achievers
[3] Meghalaya Girl in Formula Race – Pratidin Time
[4] Screen to Speed: Phoebe Nongrum – Gran Touring Motorsports
[5] From Shillong to Bengaluru and back: Phoebe’s happy uphill ride – New Indian Express
[6] Her by Alethea Phoebe Nongrum – Barnes & Noble
[7] Screen to Speed: Phoebe Nongrum – Gran Touring Motorsports
[8] Dad wanted her to become a cop like him but She wanted cars and speed – Book of Achievers
[9] Screen to Speed: Phoebe Nongrum – Gran Touring Motorsports
[10] Journey to the Racecourse | Phoebe Dale Nongrum | TEDxIIMShillong – YouTube
[11] How this NE woman is breaking the glass ceiling in motorsports – East Mojo
[12] Meghalaya Girl in Formula Race – Pratidin Time
[13] Dad wanted her to become a cop like him but She wanted cars and speed – Book of Achievers
[14] In conversation with Phoebe Dale Nongrum – YouTube
[15] Mirabai to Bishal to Lovlina: 2021 was a golden year for sports in Northeast – East Mojo
[16] Harkrishan Wadia Secures Triple Victory, Phoebe Nongrum Dominates Women’s INRC – MRF Motorsports
[17] Harkrishan Wadia wins 2024 South India Rally – Autocar India
[18] Dean Mascarenhas and Gagan Karumbaiah win at K1000 Rally – Evo India
[19] Phoebe Dale Nongrum – Let’s burn some Rubber – Search of an Idea
[20] Screen to Speed: Phoebe Nongrum – Gran Touring Motorsports
[21] Journey to the Racecourse | Phoebe Dale Nongrum | TEDxIIMShillong – YouTube
[22] Screen to Speed No.50: Phoebe Nongrum – BREAK/FIX the Motorsports Podcast – iHeart
[23] Phoebe Dale Nongrum Eyes to Win Indian National Rally Championship 2025 – YouTube