An airline pilot, TV host and an actress powered their way to a ‘podium finish’ in the I+ 1,000KM Red Bull Female Rookies Drivers Search 2014.
Air Asia Airbus A320 pilot Illyaquila Fateen Ismail, TV presenter, Renai Mattu, and Geraldine Darlene Read were the toast of the selectors after the track elimination Shoot-Out stage at the Sepang International Circuit. The successful three were shortlisted after an exciting search which began last year culminating with 38 female racing enthusiasts with selection process from road shows held in Penang and the Klang Valley.
Illyaquila, Renai and Geraldine will be joined by 2011 Red Bull Rookie winner Siti Shakirah Shaharul as the anchor driver representing Red Bull in the Sepang 1,000KM Endurance Race held from December 5-7 2014.
Red Bull Malaysia Managing Director, Jyn Wee, said: “Anyone can drive a car fast, but not everyone can drive fast and at the same time adopt safety measures when behind the wheels of a car,”
“Red Bull had launched the I+ Sports Grant which is dedicated to powering Malaysians, who are passionate to challenge their athleticism and also to excel beyond their limits in an individual sport or activity. Therefore, this sports grant is utilised in this Red Bull Rookies 2014,” added Wee after witnessing the 10 finalists outdo one another in the elimination round.
All 10 participants kicked-off the day with a test run around the SIC accompanied by Asia Advanced Driving Academy (AADA) instructors who evaluated all aspects of participants driving skills followed by the Shoot-Out stage or elimination round. Sarawak-born Renai, best known as the nightly presenter of Score Tonight on Star Sports and has fronted 2wheels, said: “Motorsports is an industry that I have a passion for and grown to love from my work on the sidelines as a journalist. I am extremely happy to be given this opportunity to race for Red Bull All-Female Rookies Drivers team.”
AADA chief instructor, Kenvin Low, said: “There is more to it than just racing on the tracks. It is a very demanding and energy-sapping event and being physically fit and mentally strong for the challenge are some of the important aspects we will be looking out in these drivers.” He stressed that all three successful drivers, together with Siti Shakirah, will undergo a series of intensive race driving training course before they are fully prepared for the race later in December. This includes emergency braking techniques, changing of gears, manoeuvring around the cornering lines without losing power and understanding the race flags.
