Speeding away from stereotypes

Cathleen de Jager, Zaakira Khan and Sameera Ameer are three women determined not to be pigeon-holed by male stereotypes.

They are avid racers, regularly participating in the monthly Newcastle Oval Raceway.

In fact, Zaakira and Cathleen were the first female racers to tear onto the track in a newly established women’s division.

With August marking Women’s Month, the dynamic trio yet again took to the track on on Saturday and geared up to show their engines were just as powerful as those of their male counterparts.

“Racing is an incredible feeling, especially knowing that we were first in the women’s division,” Zaakira said, sentiments Cathleen shared.

“This was my second race and I am still getting used to it, but it is really exciting,” Sameera added.

Although motor sport is often regarded as male dominated, the trio were determined to leave their tyre marks in the racing world.

“I want to go to the South African Championships later this year, as well as the Regional Championships,” Cathleen claimed.

Zaakira and Sameera said they too would like to go further and expand their racing career to new heights.

All three women concurred it was the experience of racing that kept them coming back for more.

“I enjoy everything about racing, especially the adrenaline,” Cathleen said.

Zaakira agreed with this thought. “When you race, you get tunnel vision and you see nothing but you and the track.”

“Others should try it and not be scared of the men,” Cathleen added.

“It is not only confined to men, it is for the whole family,” Zaakira concluded.