Nine-year-old Arshi Gupta, a student at Delhi Public School, Faridabad, has etched her name in Indian motorsport history by becoming the first female racer to win a National Karting Championship. She secured the 2025 FMSCI National Karting Championship in the Micro Max class at the Meco Kartopia circuit in Bengaluru. Arshi's victory is especially significant as she competed against both boys and girls in the mixed grid.

Born in Faridabad on October 18, 2016, Arshi races under the Leapfrog Racing banner. Her journey to the top has been swift, achieving this milestone in only her second year of competitive racing.

Arshi demonstrated exceptional skill throughout the season. She won Round 3 at the Madras International Karting Arena (MIKA) in August 2025 and followed it up with victories in Coimbatore. In the final round in Bengaluru, Arshi won both the Pre-Final and Final races in the Micro Max class, which is for drivers aged 8 to 12 years. She charged from mid-grid to win the Pre-Final and then converted her pole position into a dominant victory in the Final.

This historic win makes Arshi the first girl to ever claim a National karting championship in the Indian Rotax series' 21-year history and also the youngest champion.

Arshi's karting journey began in early 2024 after her father, Anchit Gupta, noticed her love for speed while cycling. He introduced her to a local Gurugram track managed by coach Rohit Khanna in 2023, where she immediately took to the sport. According to her father, Arshi was enthusiastic about karting from the start and insisted on going every weekend. Arshi's mother, Deepti Gupta, ensures that she balances her studies with her passion for racing.

Starting with the Meritus Cup in 2024, Arshi quickly progressed to the Rotax Nationals, becoming the youngest female competitor in the National Karting Championship. She honed her skills through extensive training, including a five-month stint in the UAE and a 10-week program in the UK.

In addition to her recent victory, Arshi holds an India Book of Records title as the youngest female to receive a National Karting License. In September 2025, she represented Team India at the Asia Pacific Motorsports Championships in Sri Lanka, securing fourth place in the Mini category Karting Sprint event.

After winning the championship, Arshi expressed her excitement and desire to continue racing.