Why in news:

• Nine-year-old Atiqa Mir from Kashmir has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first female racer ever to win the Rotax Challenge International Trophy race held at the prestigious Le Mans Kart International Circuit.

Key Points:

Competing in Race 2 of the MicroMax Category Heats, she drove for the renowned Dan Holland Racing Team using the Lando Norris kart.

This accomplishment marks a significant achievement in the world of karting, highlighting her exceptional skill and determination. The news of her triumph has gone viral, drawing acclaim and admiration from various corners for her pioneering achievement in a male-dominated sport.

Despite this being her first appearance at the Le Mans circuit and the lack of prior practice, Atiqa Mir showcased her adaptability and prowess. She quickly acclimated to the new karts and performed admirably during the practice sessions, consistently topping the grid.

However, she faced some challenges during the Qualifying rounds. Due to a lap clearance issue, she ended up in 10th place in Qualifying. In the subsequent first Qualifying Heat race, she advanced to 6th place but eventually finished 9th overall.

In Race 2, Atiqa demonstrated impressive speed and driving skill, consistently setting fast lap times and executing strategic passes to secure first place. She competed against 36 drivers in the MicroMax category, which was part of a larger field of 318 drivers from 40 different nations participating across all categories.

Atiqa’s victory at Le Mans not only cements her status as a top female karting driver in her age group but also positions her as a rising star in the global karting community. She is scheduled to compete at the prestigious Kartmasters in the UK next month, further demonstrating her growing prominence in the sport.