Scaling New Heights: Meet Humaira Mushtaq The First Women Formula Car Racer From J&K

Humaira Mushtaq. The first female Formula racer from Jammu & Kashmir claims her career’s first podium finish at MRF national racing championship. She was the first woman from UT of Jammu & Kashmir to claim this achievement in the male-dominated world of car racing. In this interview, she shared her journey from dreaming of a goal to achieving the goal. 

How do you feel to be the first and only woman from J&K to win a national championship podium? 

Allahamduliah, I feel grateful since it's my first career milestone. It's the first podium finish of my career. At this point, I'm grateful and feel blessed. 

When did you get a breakthrough in doing professional racing?

I started my professional career in 2019 with JK tyres then I was with MRF.

You're also a medical student? How did you get into motorsports?

Yes, I've been a student of dentistry but I don't practice as a professional I'm focused on my professional career as a racing driver. I had a turn of events that got me to medical school, but I was struck with where I belonged and what I wanted. I know they are poles apart but that's how it is. 

Can you elaborate?

I lost my dad unfortunately when I was 14 may Allah bless him with Janatul Firdos. He was extremely supportive of my racing he was my first coach and my first mentor. Very early on in my life as a child, I made up my mind to become a professional racer and pursue this as a professional career my dad’s last word to me was don’t stop racing become a professional, Allah will help you through.  

My mother was a bit sceptical about it initially and I don’t blame her Back in the day there wasn't any successful female F1 athlete I could put my finger on and tell my mother that's what I want to become like. I choose a path that wasn't explored at all, my mother being a single parent after my father's demise felt the responsibility on her for shaping and counselling me to take up a conventional career that could at least guarantee a job later on since racing was considered men dominated sport and weren’t a game for a woman or at least that's what people felt. But my mother is a very positive and intelligent woman she knew I was too headstrong to quit racing so she made a point clear which demonstrated that I continue my education and make it to med school in return she will fund the initial stages of my career which comprised of training and testing because motorsports come with a huge price tag. It was just a couple of weeks before my entrance exams and I studied a lot and a lot hard full throttle not because I wanted to become a doctor but because I wanted to become a racer because that was our pack.

When did you start racing?

I started racing in a custom-made go-kart at the age of 4/5 my dad discovered this talent of mine early on I have memories of my go Karting weekends with him. Eventually, I started doing Rotax Karting and later on moved my way to single-seaters formula racing. I was a self-taught road car driver and started driving on roads at 10 yrs. Later on, when we moved to India and in India to Jammu & Kashmir, we didn't have a race track anywhere in the entire zone there were only two tracks one in Madras and one in Coimbatore but I never let that burning passion become a professional racer disappear inside me and yes I demonstrated instincts early on I was a street racer at 14.

A big deal back in the day. 14 yrs. old performing doughnuts drifting cars and street racing with grown-up men. Oops

What obstacles did you face in your mission to become a professional car racer?

I wouldn't say obstacles I would say challenges. Yes, they started as soon as I packed my bags and decided I will race. Even my mom told me don't expect it to be easy, I know it's tough but if you stay strong you will do it because people like what comforts their eyes and mindsets and whatever they're used to, they're not used to seeing such things coming from a woman. So be strong. But I'm someone who's driven by passion, regular plain things bore me I love challenges, I love the feeling of overcoming my fears, and I love to fight my inner demon who limits my beliefs. I'm not afraid to create examples. Racing is not just the expression of my skills but how I look at life. norms, conventions, routines, and stereotypes do not apply to me. I love what I do, I do what I love. I'm free-spirited. I love tricky things, I love to solve puzzles, and yes I freak out at times but the love the feeling of facing my fears, overcoming them gaining wisdom and moving on to my new venture, I love to take paths that have never been walked before, I love to explore possibilities, I love things that keep my blood pumping. I should feel it.

It's a male-dominated sport, what difficulties you faced initially?

See People have the right to believe whatever they want and that's none of my business. I don’t live off a supply of validation from others I know what ‘I’m capable of. You cannot go out there and re-wire someone’s brain to your advantage but what you can do is create examples so people can look at it the other way. What shouldn't suffer is my performance because let me tell you people don't believe in words, they believe what they see not what you say unless you don't Crete examples don't expect any good. And if I start caring about other people’s opinions, I will divert my focus from my performance. But let me tell you one thing if you know your subject and you're skilled no one will say anything they might even celebrate you provided you know your subject quite well. Also, I want to be given credit based on my skills and performance and not on my gender.

Tell us about your experience of winning the podium title and a little journey that led to it. 

When I started the race the chances of winning seemed very slim as my race start wasn't the best but I kept optimistic and strongly determined without worrying about how the turnout of this event may be at least this should be the best performance of my life so far so When I look in the mirror the next day I shouldn't say girl you could have done better. Honestly, I gave everything I had, everything I could. Alhamdulillah, I got the podium which was the least expected. 

That was the time I realized the power of faith and belief and determination. Honestly, if you're persistent and unwilling to give up, anything is possible, I’m not just talking about racing but about every aspect of life. No kidding. 

My first victory is very special to me so I’d dedicate it to my late father who I know would have been very happy but I  know he's looking over and cheering for me from the heavens above.

It has been quite a journey for me getting to this point coming from j&k being the first female racer and competing with pro racers from all over the country and even abroad who were a part of the championship. It's like a fusion of 2 extreme poles jk as north and all the way Chennai in the south. Given that motorsports come with a huge price tag and my mother always being by my side in every regard emotionally and financially helping me being a single parent and being a boost of encouragement. I wouldn't have been able to achieve it without her being by my side.

Of course, this is just the beginning for me I will continue to get better and better, there is no such thing as perfect you continue to learn and improve because there is always a scope for learning something new each day and each moment. At least that's what I feel. I still have 2 more rounds remaining for the championship. Determined to give my best performance each after the other.

Honestly this race through me

Dare to dream the impossible, believe in your dreams

Being Persistent and consistent can create miracles ✨

Surely luck favours the ones who are determined and strong-willed

They said faith could move mountains, yes I saw them moving.

What do you suggest to people who want to make a career in motorsports??

I would suggest getting to your closest go Karting track immediately and starting with Karting. Get into Rotax and move your way up. Karting is the purest form of racing. This trains you for circuit racing in future.

What is your message to the youth of JK especially women? want to take up unconventional careers?

My message is not just limited to women or youth. My message goes out to everyone. I want to tell you to dare to dream the impossible and believe in your dreams not just believe work for them. Hard, very hard!

Don't expect rewards quickly. There is always a possibility of doing what you want to do in your life even if everything seems impossible but if you're persistent and determined you will make it. Never stop learning there is always a scope for improvement every day every moment and no greater thing than wisdom. Learn to face your fears because fears can be very limiting and very overpowering, face your demons, conquer them and get over them they will become your superpowers. They say faith can move mountains I did see them moving. You only get to live once so make the most of it.