Car drives fanatic away from battle with the bottle
Hobby saved him from alcoholism, says driver
RAKESH Harisunker was a selfconfessed drunk.
Thanks to both his car and family, though, he has put that life behind him and has become one of the most popular car fanatics in Durban.
Two years ago, Harisunker decided it was time to put the alcohol away and concentrate on bonding with his young son.
“He loves cars. I decided to stop drinking every day and use the money on my car instead.
“I was an alcoholic, but I wanted to change my life and be there for my family. Now I can see where my money is going and I am more involved in my family life than ever.”
The 34-year-old said before finding his way by customising his car, he had missed a chunk of his nine-year-old son Sahil’s childhood. “This car helped save me and brought me closer to my son,” he said.
Harisunker purchased his 1.4litre Ford Fiesta Trend secondhand in 2007. Two years ago, he began seriously competing at car shows with his unorthodox customisations.
Since discovering his passion for cars, Harisunker has changed the look of what used to be a simple black Ford about seven times. Nothing remains of the two-door vehicle’s original exterior. The black paint has been airbrushed over with a dreamlike blue cloud with intricate artwork of various angels and a bust of the Hindu deity Lord Shiva.
“I wanted something different. Adding that picture was a last-minute decision for me, but it was something I knew I would have to have. He is my provider and my protection.”
Harisunker said not all the attention the car received was positive, because some people were offended by the barebreasted angels next to the depiction of Lord Shiva — although the negative reactions were few and far between.
The Phoenix sales consultant said he had bought the car solely because of its economical attributes, and although he was happy to change its outward appearance, he would keep his engine stock standard.
Harisunker also fitted paleblue mag wheels, 17-inch Eagle rims, a Powerflow exhaust system and a lighting system to rival that of any club.
“The lighting system was installed underneath the car and it displays over 17 different colours — from the usual red, blue and green to anything else you can think of.”
The car’s interior is just as impressive, containing a smoke machine, six DVD screens — including a 15-inch screen in the car’s boot — four savvy mids, two kicker mids, a JVC double din DVD player and a bloodied plastic hand creeping out from under the screen.
Completing the car’s look is a cobra-head gear knob, which was given to him as a gift, and the many Hindu mantra Aum signs. “I don’t know how many I have, but it is important to me because it means everywhere I go I go with God,” said Harisunker.