We are delighted that Nabila has joined our BRIT Ambassador family. Nabila became the BRC Ladies Champion in 2017 and came second in the European Rally Championship Ladies Trophy in 2019.
“In 2020, the Welsh Government stated; “The pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on particular groups in society, particularly those on a low income, people with an existing mental health condition; children and young adults and people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities. There is no single response to these issues – they require multifaceted and multi-agency approaches, developed through collaboration across sectors, across government departs and across services. Preventing and supporting the mental health and wellbeing needs of the population is not something the NHS can – or should – do alone.” I wholeheartedly agree and this is why I believe in the British Inspiration Trust’s (BRIT) vision.
Charities have a vital role to play in supporting young adult mental health and BRIT are setting an outstanding example as a collaborative charity who are delivering an innovative and exciting approach to supporting young adult mental health throughout the UK. As a former student, and having personal knowledge of disability and inclusivity, BRIT’s ethos resonates with me both personally and professionally.
I am thrilled to be joining the BRIT Ambassador family to help support and improve young adult mental health and fitness. The annual UK-wide BRIT Challenge is a inspiring opportunity for every university, college and students’ union to enter teams and encourage their students and staff to take part; at home or on campus.
The BRIT 2021 Challenge is an inclusive team feel-good fundraiser that can improve mental health and fitness, all while raising vital funds; it’s great to see that BRIT has partnered with PAPYRUS – Prevention of Young Suicide, Nightline Association, Student Minds and the Charlie Waller Trust, so that all donations raised by the BRIT 2021 Challenge will be shared equally between five mental health charities who support students and young adults.
BRIT are providing inspiration and encouragement to students and young adults through their BRIT Ambassador family; Olympians, Paralympians, sports personalities, adventurers and explorers are uniting to support and improve young adult mental health. I urge my fellow British Motorsport drivers to join our BRIT Ambassador family so young adults and students at every university and college are inspired to take part in the BRIT 2021 Challenge.
I look forward to encouraging students and staff at the University of Essex as they take on their BRIT 2021 Challenge.”
Nabila was introduced into Motorsport by her father, who caught the bug from his father who was a Safari specialist. When she was 15 years old, Nabila learnt how to drive her first rally car and this was when she realised that rallying was what she wanted to do. Nabila and her mother made an agreement that if Nabila studied for a degree at university, she would have her blessing to pursue a career as a rally driver.
In 2010, Nabila moved to the US to attend high school in Florida and was accepted into at American Universities, Kogod School of Business in Washington D.C. She completed her degree, a BSBA in International Business, Entrepreneurship and Management and International relations, in 2014.
2015, was Nabila’s first year rallying; she passed the BARS test and went straight into competing in single venues. She spent part of the year training with Bill Gwynne, at his rally school, in order to increase her driving skills. She was also able to drive her grandfathers restored Daf 55, from the 1971 East African Safari Rally, at the Eifel Rally in Germany, as well as Rauno Aaltonen’s Datsun 1600 SSS.
In 2016, joined the MH Motorsport team who decided to make a big jump and compete in the DMACK Junior British Rally Championship (BRC). With very little seat time in the new Fiesta R2, Nabila started the championship in far from desirable conditions, and the Mid Wales Stages were the first time she ever drove in the forest.
Circuit of Ireland was a massive challenge; not only being a British round but also a European Round. The competition was fierce but Nabila, in only her second event, finished 4th in class, 1st in the European Ladies Championship, and 16th overall in the BRC. Having only driven the car for three months, this was a huge achievement. Nabila finished eighth out of sixteen Juniors in her first year of racing in the championship.
In 2017, Nabila become the BRC Ladies Champion.
In 2018, Nabila decided to begin competing more abroad, with a progression into the Peugeot Rally Cup Iberica Championship. This would allow Nabila to compete in events in Spain and Portugal, expand her World Rally Championship (WRC) experience (with Rallye Portugal, Spain and GB) and continue to compete in the BRC in order to try and secure her title for the second year.
Nabila finished second in the 2019 European Rally Championship Ladies Trophy and is now looking forward to the 2021/22 Championship after this past year’s closed season.
for more information on Nabila, please visit her website.