1. Main Feature - Alexandra Asmasoebrata
Allida Alexandra Nurlutfia has accomplished more than you can imagine. Winning races since 13, now
she is not only a sports star, but also a devoting wife. It was her dad, Alex Asmasoebrata the senior
racer, that introduced car racing to her, yet she claims that her mom and dad is a very good combination
to endlessly support her in shaping up her career. The Jakarta-born woman racer resents the time when
she could not go to the beautiful beach in La Conca, Italy, despite her being there for the World Karting
Championship.
To answer people’s curiosity, she spared the Speak! team her time for a telltale session on her career in
car racing.
How do you see car racing?
It is a sport that on one hand I love, but on the other hand teaches me things. For one, car racing
emboldens my characters. It is the main factor that builds my personality, followed by succeeding
factors, such as family, environment, and school. Then there are winning and losing. Winning allows you
to acknowledge something, but losing serves you a more precious something.
Your struggle as a rookie woman racer
At first, my dad was a bit forcing me to be into this sport, but I grow to love this sport more and more
now. If I compare the struggle of me racing then and now, the beginning is not that hard. At the
moment, the race is getting harder and harder. Meanwhile, knowing that I am a woman athlete, the
male racers are treating me well enough. They are very cool to me, fortunately.
Your routine
In my busiest competing year, which was in 2011, I practiced consequently during 9 months of 24
events. So, in a year, I crossed countries without being able to go home at all. Recently, being married, I
have not had a competition, so I’m channeling my passion to my new occupation, a sports journalist.
The development of this sport in Indonesia
At the moment, the sport has been going through ups and downs, so it has not been improving yet.
Moreover, there are least international events which are held in Indonesia. It contributes to the lesser
popularity of car racing in the country during the last 2-3 years.
Message for young Indonesians
It is essential to be brave, both in trying something new, thinking out of the box, and keep dreaming.
WORDS: RATNAYU CANDRA KIRANA
An interview with Alexandra Asmasoebrata for Speak! Magazine October 2015 issue