THERE might be a waver in the number of women drag racing over the years but most have either taken up racing or have successfully placed their mark. Let’s take Doreen Karishma for example! The first thing you would notice are her acrylic nails — oh yes, most women competitors wear amazing nail art but they’re definitely in the mix, alongside hot dust, hot air, engine oil and modified race cars!
Karishma is a cosmetologist by profession and owns Beauty and Bliss hair salon in Lautoka.
The 25-year-old said the best thing about the Toyota Prius was that it could be used both as a sports car and a family car with a special power button to give it a bit of more power.
“Toyota together with its engineers designed the body of the vehicle in such a way that it has more stability in high speeds with an underbody rear fin,” said Karishma.
“The roof also has a special design of a double wave to keep down the air resistance.”
Karishma said taking part in the drag race was always a dream and with the help of her friends, she was able to achieve that dream for the first time when she took part during the Pacific Energy Shell Lubricant quarter mile drag race at Taunovo airstrip in Navua.
“Even though I have been driving for almost eight years, this was the first time that I drove at a speed of 140km/hr but my car can reach top speeds of 220 km/hr.
“I didn’t modify my car since it was my first time but I’m planning to do some modification before the next race like putting more powerful spark plugs.”
She said she loved sports cars and one day aims to restore and drive a 1970 Ford Falcon with a straight 6 engine in it.
