Aliyyah Koloc has achieved phenomenal success this season racing multi-disciplines from debut entry in 2023 Dakar Rally, to 24H GT Series, to racing T1 in Rally-Raid Championship at mere 18 years of age. Not only are Aliyyah’s accomplishments unprecedented in the history of Women in Motorsport, both FIM and FIA, but have opened a new era on what females can achieve on level playing field against their male counter-parts.
Taking into consideration the short time-frame that Aliyyah has been competing behind the wheel which started at 15 years of age, the Czech-Emirati teenager has rare ability to adapt, focus, react and respond to ever changing circumstances which occur during racing – all the while producing top end results on the table board. Some would ask, does Aliyyah possess innate sense of mental faculties which enable her to switch from racing Lightweight T3, to GT4 circuits, to heavier T1 vehicle, or has Aliyyah’s development as a driver been carefully managed, crafted and planned to gain maximum results across all disciplines.
Certainly, the best laid plans in Motorsport are never a given. Nor, do infinite resources at a Team’s disposal guarantee top step of the podium for each and every competitor. Those with deep pockets may influence who can race, however the driver remains solely responsible for performance on track, no matter which discipline, or terrain World Championships take place on.
The factors which have enabled Aliyyah to face, overcome, and conquer aspects of racing at World Championship level have to be found deep within one’s own psyche, mind-set, and physical well being – which remains nurtured, supported and backed by close network of Team crew, family and friends. Most importantly, Aliyyah knows her father Martin Koloc, her twin sister Yasmeen, her Mum, Team’s driver’s and crew are one solid unit- standing together through the highs and lows of racing.
Not surprising, Aliyyah embraced the challenges that 2023 season would bring. There were a number of firsts. Debut race in 2023 Dakar Rally T3 category, followed by competing in the first race of the 24H Series in GT4 6H Abu Dhabi a mere 6 days after Dakar. Taking P33 in T3 Lightweight Prototype category and winning the 6H Abu Dhabi with Buggyra Racing Team driver’s David Vrsecky and Adam Lacko, Aliyyah had switched from her love of racing on sand, to the adrenalin spikes of staving off stiff GT4 competition.
Breaking down facts even further, no other woman, or very few males for that matter race with such determination and passion on the dunes of Saudi Arabia, to the circuits of Abu Dhabi, Mugello, and Spa Francorchamps, which have been the Round venues of the 24H Series. Neither lacking courage or self-belief, Aliyyah has maneuvered the Team’s Can-Am DV21 vehicle from Stage 1 through to 14 in Dakar and completed the challenge of managing Buggyra Racing Team’s Mercedes-AMG GT4 tyre performance to stand top of the podium at Abu Dhabi and Spa-Francorchamps.
The momentum gained from racing adds to Aliyyah’s capacity to perform at best possible ability while simultaneously absorbing as much knowledge and learning on and off the track. Some pundits would ask – why not focus on one specific discipline as opposed to multi-disciplines so as to hone Aliyyah’s talent as a driver via one type of vehicle and race terrain? Not so. Each and every vehicle, from Aliyyah’s entry in truck racing, to sprint races in NASCAR, to GT4 endurance racing, to Rally-Raid and the pinnacle of all – T1 category – has complimented the diverse attributes Aliyyah possesses behind a wheel.
Competing in 2023 2R World Rally-Raid Championship in Rounds 1 and 2 (Dakar and Abu Dhabi Challenge) not only elevated Aliyyah’s Off Road performance but also developed further knowledge required when testing and racing in T1 category later in the season. Yes, another first race experience was coming, with Aliyyah entering South Africa’s Rally-Raid Sugarbelt 500 in T1 with co-driver Riaan Greyling. Straight up, Aliyyah handled the Buggyra Racing/Red Lined VK50 vehicle, finishing P22 overall, a phenomenal achievement given limited time for testing and having never raced with co-driver either.
The sheer magnitude on Aliyyah’s strength of character to race multi-disciplines which push her career to new heights in short time span requires respect for placing equality and diversity in Motorsport at top of racing list. These are not mere words to tag, select and copy as text on social media posts, these are values which Aliyyah, Martin and Buggyra Racing Team adhere to from one day to the next. Just as Aliyyah has set new bench-mark for what a female can achieve in Motorsport, so to does telling her story for now, and well into the future.
The following E-book provides insight on the progression of Aliyyah’s racing career for 2023 season.
Words: Sharon Cox.
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