Ashwin shot to fame in the karting circuit a few years ago and was a a familiar face in the pit lanes for more than a decade. A karting champion in 2002, Ashwin enjoyed success after switching to single seater racing in early 2010, after which he went on to win titles in tournaments such as the 2012 JK Tyre National Racing Championship and 2013 MRF F1600 series. He married Niveditha, a doctor in a private hospital, last year.