At three, Pasha Ali is already racing into the record books.
Pasha races on balance bikes, two-wheeled bicycles that have no pedals and no training wheels. And for the last year, he has been racing in the 2017 Strider Cup, an international competition where two, three, four and five-year olds race balance bikes up dirt-hills and grass tracks.
At every mention of balance bikes or the Strider Cup, Pasha’s ears perk up. “It’s been amazing,” said Pasha’s father, Nur Ali. “I’m blessed that he loves racing, loves competing. He always wants to be first.”
Before each race Pasha has entered, he’s just like any other toddler, Ali said. He’s easily distracted and has his head in the sky. “But when he’s in the gate, you can see a light switch on,” Nur said. “He’s focused, and he goes like a racehorse. He’s focused like he’s ready to race the Indy 500.”
For Pasha, it’s simpler than that. “When the gate falls, I go fast,” he said.
Nur bought Pasha his first bike when he was two, hoping it was something he would grow to love. His family was amazed to find Pasha zooming around the house after a short time on the bike. Ali’s competitive instincts kicked in, and he searched for a racing circuit in which to enroll Pasha. That’s how they found the Strider Cup.
Pasha’s competed in four races. In his first on May 6, in Fort Worth, TX, he got off to a bad start, but he rallied to finish third. At his second race in Pittsburgh, PA three weeks later, Pasha fell into last place again. But once again, he rallied to a top-four finish. “He’s like the ‘comeback kid,’” Nur said.
At the final national race of the season, a little over a month from the international race, Pasha took his first checkered flag.
He has a simple strategy that’s led him to the winner’s circle, and it’s one he replicates each time out. “I’m going to use my legs, use my legs, use my legs!” Pasha said. But he doesn’t do it on his own. “Papa is my starting line coach,” he said.
His father is a coach with a decorated resume. Ali is a professional racecar driver and made history himself as the first Pakistani NASCAR driver, and really the first Pakistani professional race car driver in the world. Their shared love of competitive racing has brought the young speedster and the proud father together.
“Teaching him has been really good,” Ali said. “He’s been watching his Papa since he was one, so he’s into racing big time. It feels great we have this bond as father-and-son.”
His top finishes qualified him for 2017 Strider Cup World Championship in Salt Lake City, UT. There he competed against 137 three-year olds. Pasha started well, keeping pace with the pack. His father was running alongside him, coaching him up and giving him adjustments. But as he rode through the grass, he focused too closely on his father. He lost balance and fell.
Ali jumped onto the track and helped Pasha to his feet. Even after his fall, Pasha and his dad walked side-by-side to the finish line.
Even though it wasn’t the result they hoped for, Ali hopes the experience stays with Pasha his whole life.
“The lesson is always even if you fall, you always finish the race,” Ali said.
