Dhaka, Apr 09 (V7N) –Purny Ayman made a remarkable motorsport debut abroad and became the first Bangladeshi woman to compete in a racing circuit track.
The feat was achieved during the second round of the competition titled “UAE Time Attack” held at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi last Saturday.
A total of 35 racers participated in different categories.
Purny competed in the rear wheel drive unlimited class and finished fourth with a timing of 2:48.263.
There were 18 laps that Purny had to navigate with an average speed of 112.99km/h.
It should be noted that she drove Toyota GT 86 while the first two finishers in her class raced in Porsche and the third finisher handled a BMW.
Purny admitted it was bad luck to compete against Porsche but that she was content overall with her debut racing experience on a Formula 1 track.
“I’m so happy and so glad that I raced on such a track and completed the competition. This is a very, very big thing for me. It’s like a dream come true,” Purny told Dhaka Tribune after she returned home Monday.
The female racers from Bangladesh started competing in international motorsport events last year.
Kashfia Arfa became the first from the country to drive in a FIA competition in September 2024.
Purny
Kashfia competed in auto gymkhana, which is a grassroot motorsport discipline, while Purny drove on a racing circuit, a discipline consisting of higher speed.
“After Kashfia, AAB (National Sporting Authority for motorsport in Bangladesh) was looking for female drivers. Avik (racer Avik Anwar) suggested my name to them. They asked me whether I wanted to participate. I said, okay, let’s give it a try. As I always drive, I wanted to see how it works,” said Purny.
Purny is a mother of two. She has her own business so she had to manage her time. She started her preparation from last December.
“There is no race track in Bangladesh so it was not possible to train without a simulator. I started training with a simulator. I also participated in some online racing and two events in Sylhet,” she said.
She practiced on an actual racing track after arriving in the United Arab Emirates on the first day of this month. It was in the Dubai Autodrome.
“I was a bit nervous in the opening laps because Yas Marina Circuit also holds F1 racing so this is like one of the fastest tracks. You need that experience to drive on such a track,” she said.
“I felt like can I do this since it was my first time. I did it on the same track in the simulator so I was not completely blind. After two-three laps, I was feeling comfortable.
“Alhamdulillah, I did well. We were up for 20 laps. We did 18 due to an accident that canceled the last two laps but officially we completed the race. I scored in fourth position because the first finishers were driving Porsche. So they were much faster.
“It was a good timing. The biggest factor is that I’m the first Bangladeshi woman who raced in an international circuit track.”
When asked what drove her to motorsport racing, Purny replied, “Ever since I was a child, cars have fascinated me. Started driving when I was in school. I've always been drawn to the world of automobiles. My love for cars has only grown over the years. It's more than just a hobby; it's a lifelong passion that fuels my curiosity and excitement every day.”
She added, “And I think this is more than just a personal achievement - it's a step towards breaking barriers and inspiring others, especially women, to pursue their passion in a field often dominated by men. Racing isn't just a sport for me; it's a way to challenge myself, push boundaries, and represent my country on the global stage. I'm ready for the challenge and excited for what's ahead.”
END/MSS/AJ
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