Curiosity may have killed the cat, but Ashmika Singh is determined to kill stereotypes by being curious about speed and cars.
The 27-year-old beautician has found a way of mixing manicures, makeup and the rest of the beauty business with the man’s world of ‘spinning’, oil and smoking tyres. She is not at all phased, and her passion and driving talent caught the attention of Dundee’s own spin king, Preshu Singh, of 360 Boyz, who has chosen Ashmika as his mentee – one of 10 lady car spinners in the country who will be trained by old hands like Preshu for an upcoming television series.
“Women spinners from around the country were invited to send in videos showcasing their driving talent. And what a response! We received about 200 from Cape Town to the Northern Cape, and of course from Ashmika in Dundee.
“We then made a short list of five. With me being based in Dundee, I had to look at the logistics of travel and looking at Ashmika’s skill and drive, she was the obvious choice,” Preshu explained. But first he had to make sure that her parents were happy with the idea of their daughter ‘mixing it up’ on the track. And, of course, they were thrilled with the opportunity given to her.
Right now, Ashmika is being put through her paces by Preshu, who has even ensured that she knows how to change a tyre. She is practicing in his famous yellow BMW, known as The Last Man Standing, and competed in an event in Msinga over the weekend. But how did this beauty get into spinning?
“When I bought my Golf in Durban three years ago, I was told that it had been modified for racing. So I was curious to find out about the modifications and how fast it could go. So I soon met up with racing enthusiasts, all guys of course, who were glad to show me what to do behind the wheel!”
She has also competed in the drag racing events at the Dundee Airfield and boasts a fastest time of 15.6 seconds over the 400-metre track. “When I saw the advert looking for female spinners, I thought ‘why not?’ I am keen to see what I can learn and how far I can go.” Ashmika says she will continue doing her beauty business, but does not mind about a little oil spilling onto her hands!
“Preshu says the 10 finalists will participate in a boot camp and from there, a winner will be selected who will take home a BMW! “I am confident that Ashmika can go far. “She has the right attitude and determination. The winner of the series stands a chance of instant fame, with opportunities to appear in advertisements and even an overseas contract perhaps.” 
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