Beyond the dust and dirt with rally stage commander Diptya Lalita

From the humid forests of Sumatera to the rugged vastness of Kalimantan, Diptya Lalita operates as the Stage Commander at the Indonesian Rally Championship. In this role, she serves as the strategic lead for a unified command. Working in close coordination with the Clerk of the Course (CoC), she directs military personnel, police officers, medical teams, and firefighters to secure the Special Stage and ensure the safety of both the drivers and the local residents who call these terrains home.

"We don't really give a specific name, but recently, for the past two years, we've been calling ourselves ‘PO Squad’." Diptya tells Females in Motorsports. She leads this race committee team for Indo Rally, mentored by Mr. Poedio Oetojo, a rally veteran since the 1970s and now with the Indonesian Motor Association central secretariat. 

As a Stage Commander, her role is critical. She is the authority on the ground of each rally, ensuring that safety protocols are met and that the event runs according to the rules. She manages the marshals, communicates with race control, and makes real-time decisions that affect the flow of the competition. 

Diptya has worked in rally since 2018, after starting her career in motocross back in 2015. She began at the entry level and spent years gaining the experience needed to lead at this level. 

"It's like doing an internship," she explains. She began as an assistant to the Stage Commander (SC), learning the intricacies of the profession until she earned her SC license. Only then was she trusted to take the lead.

"Initially, it was just me lacking confidence," Diptya admits that being a young woman commanding older men, including military and police officers, was initially intimidating. "I thought, ‘will they listen to me?’ or, ‘can I do this?’" 

However, the reality on the ground proved different. Once appointed, the team followed her instructions professionally. 

"Actually, it's more about appreciation." she says. In many regions that hold Indo Rally, her leadership is met with respect rather than rejection.

Beyond knowing the rules, a Stage Commander must possess the ability to make wise decisions under pressure. 

"Outside of technical skills, the most certain requirement is staying calm and not panicking easily.If you panic, you can't decide something clearly," Diptya says.

This requires experience, or "flight hours," and strong communication skills. She must be able to improvise when field conditions don't match what is predicted and maintain constant contact with the race leadership.

When asked if she will participate in the upcoming 2026 Indonesian Rally Championship, Diptya's answer is clear.

"Yes, definitely."

We can't wait to see her in action.