(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Rabab Al Tahir pays no attention to the sexist invective, the alarmed stares and the apathetic discouragement that are hurled at her. Strong, fiery- eyed, and unapologetic for being a woman who pursued her racing ambition, she claims proudly that despite all the hurdles she faces, rally racing has been an amazing journey.
As the UAE's first and perhaps only woman navigator and driver in international car rallies, Rabab began her journey as a racer in 2000 and hasn't looked back since.
"People still think that car racing or rallying is something that women can't do. If they have the passion and the energy to drive 10,000 to 12,000 kilometres in the sweltering heat and a strong heart, they can try rally racing," said Rabab.
In an interview with Khaleej Times at the 10-day motor festival 'City Overdrive' at City Walk, Jumeirah, Rabab said that she started racing at the age of 25. She has participated in several national and international races in both quads and cars. Now, along with her partner and team mate Atif Al Zarouni, they are the only Emirati team with male and female participation. Zarouni has been rally racing since 1999 and drives quads, bikes, cars, and buggies. The duo said that rally racing has come a very long way in the UAE and will continue to make it bigger.
"Rally racing in the UAE has reached international standards. However, the sport needs more government participation and private sponsorship. Even though the events are sponsored, teams end up spending money from their own pockets to go international," said Al Zarouni.
"I got a custom-build Rage Motorports buggy from the United Kingdom, worth almost half a million dirhams. Since safety is a high priority for me, I got a lot of custom - safety fittings installed in the buggy," he added.
Al Zarouni and Rabab said that rally sports is something that requires a lot of mental strength and the desire to constantly learn.
"I am still learning the sport. After I developed an interest for sport, I trained with Lebanese driver Richie Hoenin who approached me to be his navigator for the Ras Al Khaimah national Rally. I trained under him for a while, after which...I picked up on my own. I learned behind the wheel," she said.
Rabab finished eighth among a 100 cars in the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 2013 and as an independent driver she finished fourth in the Umm Al Quwain car rally in the same year. She has participated in several international races and joined Emirati driver Matar al-Mansouri in 2009 and 2010 in the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, an international cross-country race through the treacherous Empty Quarter desert.
Both Rabab and Al Zarouni said that there is a requirement for more youngsters in the field of rallies sports.
"However, a lot of the youngsters who partake in the sport today do not have the dedication to learn everything about cars. When they get stuck, they expect technicians to fix their cars for them. Youngsters today also tend to wait around for sponsors to come take care of them. They should show dedication and the keenness to learn everything about racing," said Al Zarouni.
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