JK Racer Rises in UK: Humaira earns laurels at British Endurance Championship

Srinagar: Humaira Mushtaq from Jammu and Kashmir has become the first female Indian car racer to participate in the prestigious British Endurance Championship in London.

She also achieved the feat of being the first woman from South Asia to obtain an ITCCC license for competing at the championship in London.

“My experience was amazing. I was the first Indian woman to race and represent India in this prestigious championship. I loved and lived every moment of it,” Humaira told Greater Kashmir from London.

“It is a proud moment for my native place Jammu and Kashmir and country that I reached the international arena,” she said.

But it was not an easy job for her.

“I felt a sense of responsibility as I was the sole female representative from India,” Humaira said. “It was a challenging task too, I had to go through rigorous training and track testing which were extremely expensive and rigorous processes. These were paddle-shift proper GT cars and highly powerful. I drove an Aston Martin during the extremely powerful championship. My performance was well received by everyone in the racing arena,” she said.

Did being the only female participant in the championship make her nervous?

“My gender comes second when I am in the racing car. I gave my best shot. The experience was challenging too especially if you are the first person to do it and also the sole representative of your country. But this motivated me to perform well,” she said.

The official website of the British Endurance Championship also states that Humaira is the first female Indian driver to race in the British Endurance Championship at Donington.

British media also highlighted Humaira’s feat.

“The British Endurance Championship marked a historic moment as Humaira Mushtaq became the first female Indian driver to race in the championship. She also made history as the first woman from South Asia to obtain the ITCCC license to compete at this international level. Mushtaq’s presence in the championship showcased the growing diversity and inclusivity within motorsports. Her sheer talent and determination were inspiring to everyone present, proving that gender is no barrier to success in racing,” reported Pitlane-news which covers United Kingdom and European Motorsport Industry news.

Humaira is looking forward to the next season which starts in March 2024. However, it wasn’t an easy journey for her to reach the international arena of racing. A doctor by profession, 25-year-old Humaira came into the limelight after she secured the podium finish at Madras International Circuit in Chennai this year.

“I am the first female Formula car racer of J&K and the first one from the union territory to achieve a podium finish in the first round of the MRF championship,” she said.

Hailing from the Bathindi area of Jammu, Humaira had a passion for cars since childhood. She started racing in a custom-made go-kart at the age of five after her father discovered her passion for cars. Gradually Humaira honed her driving skills and eventually started doing Rotax Karting and later on moved to single-seaters Formula racing. At that time, there were only two tracks in the country, one in Madras and another in Coimbatore.

Her love for cars became a passion, but her parents, who were doctors, encouraged her to pursue medical education and Humaira became a dentist. “But I kept focussing on my professional career as a racing driver,” she said.

After Humaira’s father passes away, her mother nurtured her dream to pursue car racing as full-fledged career. “My mother made a point clear which demonstrated that I continue my education and make it to medical school. In return she would fund my initial stages of career which comprised of trainings and testing because motorsports comes with a huge price tag.” Humaira got the first breakthrough when she started professional racing in 2019 with JK Tyres and subsequently with MRF.

“It is my dream to keep on representing India on the global racing arenas. I also wish that J&K should get racing arenas so that youth can pursue their career in motor sports at national and international level,” Humaira said.