Reema Juffali, Saudi’s first female racer, aims to enhance local women’s participation in motorsport through her team, Theeba Motorsport, collaborating with Qiddiya. Her racing journey began in 2018 after Saudi women were allowed to drive, coinciding with significant changes in the country. Juffali is dedicated to nurturing young talent to create opportunities within the Saudi motorsports landscape.
Reema Juffali, Saudi Arabia’s first female racer, envisions a vibrant future for motorsport in Saudi Arabia, particularly for women. She is dedicated to enhancing motorsports participation and supporting the next generation of female racers through her team, Theeba Motorsport, in collaboration with Qiddiya. Her passion is inspired by the significant changes in her country, including women’s right to drive, coinciding with her own racing journey starting from 2018.
In 2017, after returning to Saudi Arabia from studying abroad, Juffali pursued her dream to race, obtaining her racing licence in the UK. This timing coincided with women beginning to drive in Saudi, providing her a thrilling opportunity to race competitively within months. Competing in Formula 4, she began championing Saudi motorsport, despite finding promotion challenging due to her introverted nature.
Juffali’s ambitions grew, leading her to establish Theeba Motorsport to nurture local talent in the MENA region. She acknowledged the challenges of forming a successful racing team but remains resolute in her mission to advance Saudi talent. She believes in leveraging the new facilities at Qiddiya and establishing grassroots levels for motorsport to flourish, envisioning it as a blank canvas for future generations.
At a recent event alongside renowned figures like Toto Wolff, she conveyed excitement about Qiddiya’s expansive projects, including the upcoming Mercedes-AMG World of Performance. She emphasised the importance of such collaborations in promoting motorsport interest, especially among women, highlighting that her journey is a testament to increasing opportunities in motorsport for all Saudis. Juffali expressed her eagerness for the future, as she aspires to see local talents thrive in this evolving landscape.
Reema Juffali’s journey as Saudi Arabia’s first female racer exemplifies the exciting developments in Saudi motorsport. With initiatives like Theeba Motorsport and the support from Qiddiya and global brands, the future for women and local talent in racing appears promising. By establishing conducive environments for young racers, Juffali aims to cultivate a robust motorsport culture in the region.
Original Source: www.autosport.com