Purny Ayman became the first Bangladeshi woman to compete in an international motorsport event, finishing fourth in the UAE Time Attack at the Yas Marina Circuit.
– Ayman drove a Toyota GT 86 in the rear-wheel drive unlimited class, competing against 35 cars, including higher-performance Porsche and BMW cars.
– Her participation was about representation, perseverance, and breaking barriers for Bangladeshi women in motorsports.
– Ayman’s interest in cars started at a young age, fueled by her father’s frequent car model changes, and turned into a lifelong passion.
– Despite Bangladesh’s lack of motorsport infrastructure, especially for women, Ayman pursued her dream with encouragement from Avik Anwar and online training.
– COVID-19 disrupted her plans to train abroad, but she adapted by training virtually and later undergoing hands-on training in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
– Ayman’s goal is to keep racing and help develop a motorsports culture in Bangladesh, especially for women, inspiring others to pursue their passions.
– She believes Dubai is open-minded but lacks passion for serious motorsports, while Europe has a more normalized culture of female drivers.
News Source: The Daily Star
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