Srinagar: In a first, a Kashmiri woman and mother of two will challenge fear and frozen mindsets to participate in a snow car rally.
Dr Sharmeen Mushtaq, a medical professional, will be the first Kashmiri woman to participate the risky snow car rally in Gulmarg.
She will be competing with men in the two-day risk-filled car rally but says she ''likes to compete and live her dreams in the rare God-sent opportunity.''
''I am thrilled. So is my father, and brother. My two kids have given me a thumbs up too. Inshallah, I will be there,'' she said.
The two-day circuit will start on January 20 and there would be around 50 participants.
The road to Gulmarg gets slippery in freezing sub-zero temperatures and cars without chains are not allowed to go uphill. The mercury drops to -10 to - 15 degrees Celsius on this famous health resort situated at an altitude of 10,000 feet.
''I have got a platform and will give it my best shot. Winning and losing is not important but participating is,'' Dr Sharmeen, who is a medical officer in a Srinagar hospital told News 18.
Called 'Frozen Rush', this is the second edition of the only snow car race in the country.
Farah Zaidi, organiser of the rally said 50 4x4 cars will participate in the event.
''It will be a time-based lap race. The race track circuit is 1.25 km in Gulmarg. Each car is allowed 2 laps.''
The top three winners shall be decided based on the fastest lap timing. Only 4x4 vehicles are allowed to participate in the event.
The fever of the country’s only Snow AutoCross caught up with Dr Sharmeen a few years ago and she saw this as an opportunity to test her nerves and skills.
''I will be practising very soon. I have driven through the Jammu-Srinagar highway many times. But have driven in snow on very few occasions,'' she said.
While car racing in this part of the world is still a male-dominated sport, Dr Sharmeen will be first to break the glass ceiling.
“Wow, I am finally going to race. It’s going to be a long-lived dream coming true,'' she said, adding she hopes to race her Thar vehicle on the Gulmarg stretch.
''The feeling is still sinking in. I have been driving for past 20 years and getting behind the wheel gives me an immense thrill,'' she said.
She has been “following the activities of car racers closely since many of her relatives are already a part of their club.”
''So now, here I am, excited and already registered myself for the upcoming Frozen Rush2 in Gulmarg.''
Asked how she relates her profession as a doctor to her passion for motorsports, she said, “Why not? If you have it in you and you are provided with a well-structured platform to show your skills then you must give it a try at least.''
''If I want can inspire more women of Kashmir to come and join the sport, it will break the barriers. Kashmiri women should continue to push boundaries to live their dream.''
She said she was hopeful that in future more Kashmiri female racers would turn up and contest.
Ali Sajid, founder, Kashmir Off Road, said, ''I had a strong feeling that we have ardent motor sporting enthusiasts in the region and see now we have people like Dr. Sharmeen on board. We welcome her wholeheartedly.''
He said motorsport in Kashmir is still going through its developing phase but is already seeing steady growth with a large number of new drivers participating in our activities, which is promising.
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