Breaking the mould

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BLACK BELT: Marwah is racing in the Middle East Lumina CSV championship. Rivals better watch out though, she's also a black belt in karate.

Marwa Al Eifa is the only woman to be racing in the Middle East Lumina CSV Championship.

So what kind of racing is the CSV Championship?

It's a one-make series with Lumina CSV race cars. The races alternate between Dubai and Bahrain circuits.

How's it going?

I'm still learning, so I have finished in last place each time. But considering I have never had any official training, I am not far behind the boys!
At the moment I am keeping out their way as I learn more race craft.

So how did you get into racing?

I saw an ad for girls to have a go at desert racing, so I applied and was accepted for a race in Jebel Ali. I drove a Nissan Patrol and after three stages I won the race. No-one in my family has ever raced and none of my friends got me into it. I just fancied giving it a try.

And how did you end up in the Lumina championship?

GM contacted me to see if wanted to be in the championship, as they wanted a few girls in the series. After a year of talking about, we finally ended up out on the track. The other girl isn't racing anymore, so it's just me now.

Have you always wanted to race?

When I was a kid I was always driving little buggies around the house and pretending to be a racing driver. I want to emulate Michael Schumacher and Mohammed Ben Suylaem!

How do your family feel about you racing?

They are supportive, but my mother worries about me the whole time, which I understand.

You sound quite independent? Is this the only extreme sport you do?

I also did karate for seven years, getting my black belt along the way. I have always liked tough sports and I'm quite practical and open-minded.

And what do the boys on the track think about you racing?

They have all been brilliant. They give me loads of tips and have never resented me being on the track. After each race some of them say ‘why did you slow down in that corner' and tell me what I should have done.

What next for your racing career?

I would love to race internationally and I spoke to loads of teams at the recent 24 hour race in Dubai. But it all comes down to money, as without sponsorship I'm not going anywhere! This year I will start to push for proper sponsorship and get a bit more serious about it.

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