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Egypt’s first female rally driver pushes women to go faster

Yara Shalaby, who shocked the male-dominated racing scene by taking part and winning awards in rallies in Egypt and Gulf states, wants to teach other women to follow their dreams and fight stereotypes.
Egyptian female biker Yara Shalaby poses next to her trailbike during a ride in the desert on the outskirts of the capital Cairo on December 30, 2015. Shalaby, an engineer who has been driving motorbikes for two years, says desert riding requires good physical condition to overcome obstacles and sand dunes. AFP PHOTO / KHALED DESOUKI / AFP / KHALED DESOUKI        (Photo credit should read KHALED DESOUKI/AFP/Getty Images)

Egypt’s first female rally driver, Yara Shalaby, wants to pave the way for women to follow in her footsteps as a racecar driver and crush prejudices in a conservative society. Shalaby has set her sights on establishing a female-only racing school.

“The school will teach women how to drive down the dusty deserts of Egypt,” Shalaby, 36, told Al-Monitor. “It will also teach navigation, car maintenance and mechanics.”

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