BAS ladies’ team excel in endurance karting

The all-ladies’ squad of Bahrain Airport Services (BAS) Motor Sport Team are continuing their rapid development in karting, but it is not only happening on the track.

Each time they step into a kart either for a race or for practice, their love for the sport continues to grow as well.

The fearless group of BAS staffers were back in action recently for a gruelling 12-hour challenge, held as part of the Bahrain Karting Enduro Championship (BKEC) at Bahrain International Karting Circuit in Sakhir.

Once again, they showed that they can hold their own in karting races of a high level, and enjoy doing it in the process.

“Today I realised that I have fallen in love with karting,” said Alya Adel, who competed with the ladies’ team for the very first time. “It was really amazing; I never felt this thrill before.”

Alya was one of six drivers in the Milla Smith-managed ladies’ squad, who completed 515 laps between them over the half-aday duration of the race.

The team’s other members included Christina Anieliesa, Alanoud Alaiwi, Sujusha Bakaal, Fatima Mohammed and Maryam Al Qassim.

“I always wanted to join but I never had the confidence to go for it, but my colleagues told me to just try it and that it’s going to be amazing, and so I did and now I realise they are right,” Alya added. “I hope I can be a part of the racing all the time.”

Sujusha was also making her debut with the team and she shared Alya’s enthusiasm. “It was a great experience,” she said. “We enjoyed it very much and we worked really hard as a team for it.”

For young team members Christina and Alanoud, it was their third time out competing with BAS after also being racing in the BKEC season’s three-hour and six-hour rounds.

They too felt the immense thrill despite double the challenge this time around.

“We really enjoyed competing once again as a team, even with the bigger challenge of 12 hours,” said Christina. “At the beginning of the season, I did not have much interest in taking part, but now I am really loving it and I am always looking forward to every opportunity we have to race.”

Alanoud concurred. “Before I was really scared, but now I am really enjoying it, especially in being a part of the team,” Alanoud said. “Everyone supports each other and we are also able to get better and better each time.”

For Fatima, the unique elements of the long 12-hour race were particularly pleasing, such as the transition from night to morning, which was another first for her in the BKEC. “I went in the kart in the night and came out in the morning, and I was able to see the sun rise; it was really amazing,” she said.

“It was a completely different race from the first two rounds but I enjoyed it more. I can’t wait to be a part of the next race over 24 hours!”

BAS Motor Sport Team Manager Tony Smith expressed his pride in seeing the all-ladies’ team break down barriers in yet another race. “We are all so very proud to have the only Bahraini ladies’ team in the event, which shows true courage and dedication to the sport and to BAS,” he said.

BAS CEO Salman Al Mahmeed stated how proud he is of the team and wishes the team the best of luck and success in the forthcoming event, with his full support. He said: “We now move forward for the teams to start their training for the ever-solong, 24-hour challenge in February and to finish the season on a high.”