AAB's Motorsport Academy for aspiring professional racers

The motorsports scene in Bangladesh has long been constrained by limited infrastructure and a lack of formal driver development initiatives. While interest in competitive racing has increased in recent years, the country has historically lacked dedicated racing facilities, standardised coaching systems, and clear progression pathways for aspiring racers.

In an effort to address these gaps, the Automobile Association of Bangladesh (AAB) has recently launched the Motorsport Academy, offering structured training programmes designed to develop professional racing talent. The academy currently runs three sequential courses – beginner, intermediate and advanced – each requiring successful completion of exams to progress.

When asked about the details of the motorsports training courses, Fahad Gaffoor, Chief Development Officer at AAB and Main Instructor at the academy, explained that the beginner course focuses on motorsport fundamentals rather than driving skills: "You will be taught the foundations of motorsports – the rules and regulations, safety measures, equipment preparation, and basic car behaviour." The two-day course concludes with an exam combining multiple-choice questions and simulator-based practical assessments.  

The intermediate and advanced courses build on the basic foundations with more technical instructions. "Intermediate and advanced drivers will be taught to understand the dynamics of a car, including how a race car behaves in different conditions," Gaffoor noted.

Advanced students also learn data analysis techniques using real-time telemetry from simulators to identify performance improvements, which experienced drivers can use to refine their skills, as Gaffoor explained: "Using the analysed data, advanced drivers can extract that extra mile and extra second to gain better lap times."  

In the academy, all the practical training takes place on high-end simulators with professional-grade equipment, rather than on an actual race track. "We use Fanatec Direct Drive steering wheels, which are configured to match real cars," said Gaffoor when talking about the simulators. He stated that the academy relies on racing simulation software such as iRacing and Assetto Corsa Competizione, official simulators which can replicate real-world racing physics with high accuracy. 

While acknowledging that simulators cannot fully replicate gravitational forces experienced in real-life driving, Gaffoor highlighted their practical advantages using a hypothetical scenario: "If you wanted to train in rainy conditions, you couldn't do that on a real track unless it happened to rain naturally. But in a simulator, you can create rain conditions immediately." He noted that even professional Formula 1 drivers regularly use simulators for training.

Successful graduates receive tiered racing licenses. The basic qualification permits participation in national grassroots events, while the advanced certification grants eligibility for competitions approved by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) - the governing organisation of international motorsports. The academy also offers esports licensing, following the FIA's recognition of sim racing as a distinct motorsport category.

The academy currently operates physical classes at its esports lounge but plans to introduce hybrid and fully online options from next month. Course fees range from BDT 10,000 for beginners, BDT 18,000 for intermediate learners, and BDT 30,000 for advanced training. Looking ahead, the academy intends to arrange international track experiences for advanced students.

"Eventually, we want to take our most advanced learners to real-world circuits overseas to implement what they've learned in simulators," Gaffoor shared, adding that the Automobile Association of Bangladesh (AAB) also organises its own motorsport events, such as the Auto Slalom and Karting Slalom. These local competitions typically attract 200 to 300 participants and serve as platforms for emerging talent to test their skills in divisional and national rounds.

Since launching in April 2025, the academy has so far trained four batches of students. With its structured pathway from fundamentals to professional preparation, the initiative aims to develop Bangladesh's motorsport talent pool while making the sport more accessible. "The objective is to make motorsports available to everyone at a reasonable price," Gaffoor emphasised, noting no prior experience is required to begin training.