Charmaine van Aswegen, 38, and Brandvlei resident is not afraid of speed, adrenaline and fear.
While many would think off-road racing is for men only, Charmaine would like to prove everyone wrong.
Since a very young age Charmaine has loved speed and anything that makes your blood pump. For four years she was her father’s navigator and a year ago she decided to start racing herself.
“People think it is a sport for men, but let me tell you, the few women that in the competition are kicking some buts,” said Charmaine.
Charmaine is currently part of an all-women’s team and her sister is her navigator. Charmaine told the Herald that their family is participating together and that her sister is planning to start racing in next year.
The past weekend, Charmaine participated in a 200km race in Koster that had four rounds of 50km each. The route has rivers and mountains, just to name a few. The riders ride between 100 and 120 kilometres per hour and the driver must be able to make a 90 degree turn at any speed and time. The competitors each gets five hours to complete the race.
She is currently fourth in the WOMZA Africa Off-road Racing Championship and her ultimate goal is to overtake her biggest competitor and encourage other women to take part in the sport.
Characteristics an off-road rally racer should have:
• A go-getter
• Not afraid
• Risk-taker
• Team-player
• Endurance
“It is four hours of adrenaline pumping through your veins. And that is what I live for,” said Charmaine.
Charmaine wants to win the national racing competition and inspire other women to compete and join in the rush, even if it means finishing last.
Interesting facts about the sport:
• It is a very expensive sport
• You need a sponsor
• Your car needs to be roadworthy
Charmaine wants to encourage farmers in the community to open their fields for racing and make the sport a well-known activity in Randfontein.
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