First Saudi Woman to Race on Home Soil in I-PACE eTROPHY

Photo: Jaguar

Reema Juffali will drive the VIP car in next weekend’s Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY races at Ad Diriyah, becoming the first Saudi Arabian woman to compete in an international racing series in the Kingdom.

The 27-year-old made her competitive racing debut in April, competing in the F4 British Championship for the full season with Double R Racing.

Later this month she will race in her home country for the first time, just 18 months after women were first allowed to drive on the roads in Saudi Arabia.

“When I first started driving in Saudi Arabia, children in cars next to me, looked at me as if I’m a celebrity because it was still strange for them to see a woman driving,” she said.

“I have always had a passion for racing cars but I’ve only competed outside of Saudi Arabia. Now I’m finally heading home to race with Jaguar in an electric race car.

“I hope I can inspire the next generation of female drivers in Saudi Arabia.”

Added I-PACE eTROPHY series manager Mark Turner: “We are so excited to have Reema join us in Diriyah as our VIP driver.

“Her progress in her first year of single-seater racing is very impressive.

“To have the first Saudi Arabian woman to compete in an international racing series within the Kingdom is a major milestone for the sport, and one Jaguar Racing are immensely proud to be able to support.”

The first seven drivers on the entry list for the Ad Diriyah double-header were revealed earlier this month and include reigning champion Sergio Jimenez as well as two other Saudi drivers.

Jake Kilshaw

Jake Kilshaw is a UK-based journalist. He is a graduate of Politics and International Relations.