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MIGHTY motorsports maven Martyna Ewa Al-Qassab is driving ahead with her plans to inspire more women in Bahrain to race competitively and put their talents to the test on the track.
She shattered all the stereotypes by securing third place in the cut-throat Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) 2000cc Challenge and is already preparing for next season with new wheels in the pipeline and a strategy to get to the top.
It was a proud day for the Polish business development executive when she received her gleaming silver trophy and cash prize for finishing with an impressive collection of 164 points and making history as the first woman to stand on the podium after taking third place in a race, an achievement highlighted in GulfWeekly.
Al-Qassab said: “I am pleased that out of 18 drivers, seven rounds and 14 races, I managed to secure third place overall in the 2000cc Championship 2016/17 driving my silver Renault Clio.
“I’m still ecstatic about making the podium. The Challenge is structured so that there is a monetary prize for every race completed from 10th position and above, obviously the higher you finish, the bigger the reward which helps when you are purchasing new brake pads, tyres and other essentials.
“However, the real bragging rights were when the chief executive officer of the BIC, Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al-Khalifa, members of the Circuit Racing Club (CRC) executive team and the Bahrain Motor Federation (BMF) present you with the third place trophy at the championship awards night with an extra bonus!
“My aim during the season was to improve my lap timing, better understand the car and race tactics. Now, no doubt my eye is on the main prize. My competitive gene is in overdrive and I believe if all our summer plans work out and the right sponsorship is finalised, there is no reason for me to focus on anything but first place.”
Only winner Tim Birkin and runner-up Raed Himmo picked up more points, with race ace and popular rugby coach Lee Stones and Mohammed Faqihi often in contention.
Her husband, Ramzi, the regional director for Sabre who was also racing in the challenge, is currently helping ‘Team Marte’ plan next season’s strategy which will feature a new car.
Marte has two sons, Essa, one, and Talal, four, and are known as her ‘pit crew’. She added: “I’m excited that we are working on a new build which, if all works out as planned, will be ready for the new season.
“To prepare for the next races, I’ll be watching as much motorsports as possible, getting back to karting, thanks to the amazing facility we have in Bahrain, and reviewing last season’s races. “
Although Marte is being secretive about her new mean machine, she revealed that her Clio will help a new female racer join in the competition.
Al-Qassab said: “The Clio, which I have bonded with over that last season, is a great entry-level car. It is reliable, well set-up and knows its way around the track.
“The new car build is not only an excuse for Ramzi to start a new project, but hopefully, it will enable me to compete at a higher level.
“As sad as I am to see the Clio go we are very pleased to see that it will be racing along the track but with a new entry to the championship … another female driver!”
The Clio was a favourite with race fans and the community as it carried a ‘Think Pink Racing’ banner on the hood to help raise awareness about breast cancer. The new car will carry the logo once again.
Al-Qassab said: “I want to encourage more people to participate in the championship.”
Readers interested can contact her through Instagram @teammarte and she will be happy to answer questions and offer any assistance she can.
“This is a great championship led by a professional team at CRC, under the umbrella of BMF and BIC. It is accessible, safe and, more importantly, challenging and a whole lot of fun.
“I’m looking forward to the summer holidays but must confess I can’t wait to get back into the driver’s seat.”
The contest kicks off again on October 13.
