Noor Daoud’s passion is speed…

Palestinian Noor Daoud

Video Interview from Red Bull, Meet Noor Daoud

(1:19)

From Japan in the 1970’s, drifting has become an international sensation, and one of drift racing’s rising stars happens to be a woman from the Middle East.

Noor Daoud has become famous not just for her exceptional skills at drifting, not because she is Palestinian, but  because she is excelling in a sport that very few women have entered, especially in this region of the world.

Excerpted from Red Bull, the short video above says it all…

“… any form of organised motorsport is an impressive undertaking amidst the threat of violence and sometimes strict restrictions on the movement of the inhabitants, so it is not a typical place to find a buzzing motorsport scene.

And the story of Noor is definitely a further exception to the rule. Things have changed across motorsport, but it’s still a world dominated by men.

As an Arab woman Noor breaks many societal expectations. She’s a personal trainer, she loves Muy Thai Boxing, she does skydiving and loves superbikes and, becoming a racing driver was always on the horizon.

Noor’s interest in racing led her to a like-minded group of women who have become known as ‘The Speed Sisters’.

Brought together by a common desire to live life on their own terms, the Speed Sisters have joined in with the male drivers competing for victories and bragging rights, and to prove that being a woman is no obstacle to living the drifting dream.

Drift racing is becoming one of motorsports’ most popular disciplines and that popularity is now breaking down gender and geographical expectations.

 

Noor tuning her motor

…the appeal of the sport is simple – take some very cool looking cars with rear-wheel drive and get them drifting, impress the judges, score the points and pick up the prize money. Step forward Palestinian drift racer Noor Daoud.

Noor Daoud shattering expectations

‘I started collecting toy cars since I was very young. I’ve always loved sports but I did everything and never stuck to anything’, because nothing felt right to Noor. 

Noor’s interest in racing led her to a like-minded group of women who have become known as ‘The Speed Sisters’.

Brought together by a common desire to live life on their own terms, the Speed Sisters have joined in with the male drivers competing for victories and bragging rights, and to prove that being a woman is no obstacle to living the drifting dream.

The hardships of living in a restricted space isn’t the only hurdle that the drivers have to overcome.  The costs of simple maintenance and keeping the souped-up BMWs, Volkswagens and Datsuns in race-ready condition is simply impossible for many Palestinians hoping to emulate Noor and co.

 

It’s my life, my passion, the only thing that really makes me happy. At times, I do believe that the car and I are one. Just being in the car and hearing the sound of the engine is my greatest joy. I don’t want to hear anything else or be anywhere else.

Photos and story courtesy Red Bull Media and Getty Images