Srinagar, Mar 29: She is shattering pace limits and gender obstacles.
At an age when most youngsters are nonetheless enjoying with toys, nine-year-old Atiqa Mir from Srinagar’s Nishat space is leaving grown males in her rear-view mirror on the racetrack.
The younger feminine Karting sensation continues to amaze the motorsports world together with her blistering pace, laser-focus dedication, and memorable outcomes behind the wheel.
In simply her first full season racing within the fiercely aggressive UAE IAME Nationwide Karting Championship Mini R class, the nine-year-old prodigy was topped vice-champion.
Towards a stacked subject of 26 worldwide karters, a lot of them years older, Atiqa dealt with the extreme stress with poise.
She completed runner-up with a scintillating tempo throughout all seven rounds.
Atiqa’s astounding rookie marketing campaign noticed her change into the highest-ranked feminine karter below 10 years outdated throughout any FIA or CIK nationwide karting championship on the earth.
Kart racing, often known as karting, is a type of open-wheel motorsport that includes small, light-weight, low-powered autos known as karts or go-karts.
“For me, it was automobiles, automobiles, and extra automobiles since I can keep in mind. I didn’t personal a single doll or a mushy toy. I simply beloved gathering automobiles and racing them. I used to be totally different from different ladies,” Atiqa instructed Higher Kashmir.
Her ardour for motorsports was sparked when she was simply five-year-old throughout an opportunity encounter with electrical go-karts at a Dubai mall.
“I made my father drive me to this mall each weekend. In the summertime of 2021, throughout my trip, on the age of six, I accompanied my father to the kart observe in Dubai. Regardless of being the youngest and the one woman there, I rapidly proved my mettle by changing into the quickest driver after simply 4 days on the observe,”
she recollects. “For my first championship race in September 2021, on the tender age of six, I owe a debt of gratitude to my father for permitting me to compete within the Bambino class (5 to eight yrs). Regardless of missing prior expertise and being obese, my uncooked pace propelled me to complete 2nd in my very first race, competing towards seasoned boys from Europe and the UAE.”
Atiqa says that her first win got here within the IAME UAE Nationwide Day Cup in Ras al Khaimah in December 2021.
“It was an unforgettable second, and the sensation of victory was unparalleled. Regardless of being the one woman amongst boys, the overwhelming assist and encouragement fueled my dedication,” she says. “Recognising the significance of health for pace, I launched into a rigorous health routine to shed physique fats, construct energy, and enhance cardiovascular endurance. With the steering of high trainers, I shed 9 kg, strengthened my physique, and witnessed a steady enchancment in my efficiency.”
On turning eight, she obtained her skilled Karting Nationwide License, enabling her to compete in Nationwide Championship Races within the UAE.
“Regardless of being a lady amongst greater than 28 drivers, I continued to excel and outperform my rivals,” she says. “As a task mannequin for ladies, I aspire to display that females can compete and succeed on a world stage. Regardless of going through aggression from male rivals, I embrace the problem and goal to encourage different ladies to pursue Karting and different sports activities.”
Reflecting on the 2023-24 karting season, Atiqa says she was grateful for the successes achieved.
“Regardless of encountering technical disqualifications that hindered my possibilities, I completed as Vice Champion in two UAE Nationwide Championships. With unwavering dedication, I stay dedicated to striving for victory in upcoming championships,” she says. “Trying forward, my administration has determined to check my expertise in probably the most difficult karting circuits in Europe. Invites from the Spanish Karting Federation and the IAME Euro sequence current formidable challenges, however I’m able to compete towards the world’s greatest drivers.”
Because the highest-ranked feminine karter below 10 years on the earth, incomes the title of ‘Quickest Lady within the World’, Atiqa feels honoured to signify India and Kashmir on the worldwide stage.
“To my Kashmiri sisters, I hope my journey conjures up you to consider in yourselves, and I urge dad and mom to assist their daughters in sports activities,” she says.
Atiqa has set her eyes on changing into a Components 1 driver.
“Pushed by the ambition to change into the primary feminine driver in fashionable Components 1, I’m decided to achieve the head of racing,” she says. “In my class, we attain speeds of 105 kmph on straights and negotiate turns at 95 kmph.”
Atiqa says that outdoors of karting, she enjoys coaching, exercising, and enjoying outdoor.
Atiqa’s father, Asif Mir, beams with delight at his daughter’s outstanding achievements on the racing circuit.
Reflecting on the expertise of watching his daughter drive at speeds of as much as 105 kmph, Asif, a former racing driver himself, says, “As a former racing driver myself, I’m comfy seeing Atiqa drive at such speeds. Security requirements within the kart and tracks are very excessive. However there may be all the time some ingredient of danger as it’s Motor Racing. She has nice automotive management at such a younger age.”
On what units Atiqa other than others, Asif highlights her uncommon pure means, saying, “Atiqa has a uncommon pure means which only a few drivers have. With exhausting work, dedication, and the proper assist, she has the potential to be on the high of the world.”
Drawing parallels between their achievements, Asif acknowledges the opportunity of a “like father, like daughter” state of affairs.
“Possibly, sure. I used to be India’s first Nationwide Karting Champion. I used to be additionally Vice Champion in Components Asia again in 2001. Atiqa is on her manner now, and she or he has the expertise to surpass all my information and extra Inshaa Allah. It’s within the genes,” he says.
Commenting on Atiqa’s early foray into European racing circuits on the age of 9, Asif emphasises the significance of competing with the perfect to excel.
“I really feel to beat the perfect it’s important to drive with the perfect. At solely 9, Atiqa is without doubt one of the few drivers and the primary Indian woman representing India to go to Europe to be taught from the perfect,” he says.
Relating to his function in her burgeoning profession, Asif underscores his duty to offer Atiqa with a sturdy assist system.
“My function is to offer her with the assist system so she will carry out on the highest stage. This consists of getting a workforce of execs collectively who handle her, like trainers, coaches, groups, engine builders, and sports activities psychologists to make sure her optimum efficiency,” he says.
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