Saudi Arabian women compete behind the wheel for the first time

Amjad Al-Amari made history on Friday in Jeddah when she won the first karting championship for women at the IN10SO Center in Serafi Mall.
The Petromin sponsored championship began in August to encourage women’s participation in motorsports by giving them an outlet to new experiences in the Kingdom.
The 22-year-old won the race after overtaking her closest rival in the fifth lap.
As Al-Amari received her Petromin trophy and a cash prize of SR5,000 ($1,350), her competitors cheered for her — the championship marks a victory for all women in the Kingdom.
“What I took from this championship is that nothing is impossible,” Al-Amari told Arab News.
“The other racers are on an extremely advanced level, and the competition was high and intense; it really was not an easy win.”
When she is not racing, Al-Amari studies mechanical engineering in Alfaisal University in Riyadh. Due to her major, she is often working on projects to develop and build racing cars and solar vehicles.
Al-Amari hopes to see Saudi women competing not only in karting but Formula One championships.
The Petromin Female Karting Championship was also supported by the Saudi Arabian Motor Federation (SAMF). Vice-chairman Abdullah Khashab and the first female board member, Aseel Al-Hamad, watched the championships.
“I’m so happy and proud to see a new generation of women in motorsports; these young women are shaping the future,” Al-Hamad said.
“To me, they’re all champions, and without them, we wouldn’t be having the first women championship.”
As the face of female motorsports in Saudi Arabia, Al-Hamad was entrusted to present one of the awards.
“I’m excited to just watch them racing; that in and of itself is a great achievement. This can only be the beginning of a bright future for women in motorsports,” she said.
Enas Hamza and Lamia Al-Hussail placed second and third, respectively.