Reporter: Matt Brown

Transcript

BROWN: It’s a country not blessed with the natural resources of its neighbours. In Jordan they don’t drill for oil but they sure know how to use it. The capital Amman is a maze of congested round-a-abouts and intersections.

There’s plenty of aggravation and frustration going round and it seems nowhere to take it but a lucky few have found a way to escape the chaos and the crowds. Abir Batikhi is a multi skilled, modern Arab woman driving and networking. It’s all achievable at the same time. Given the chance though, Abir puts her foot down and her hidden identity is revealed.

ABIR BATIKHI: You want to see naughty driving? You know I love motor sport. I love it. It’s in my blood. It’s something I cannot live without.

BROWN: Abir Batikhi is Jordan’s best female rally driver. This is a relatively relaxed place for women but Abir’s quest to become national rally champion is still an unusual path to take. In the desert, she’s racing in the open league against the blokes. Abir only found a sponsor and this car at the last minute. She’s forty-four in the rankings and if she doesn’t perform well in this race, she could lose the lot.

How’s it going?

ABIR BATIKHI: I’m just getting used to the car. I didn’t really drive the way I usually do. Tension, stress, because a new car I’m not use to it and I’m not competing with the ladies because it’s very easy to compete with the ladies.

BROWN: The tension hasn’t dented her sense of humour.

Are you worried about crashing?

ABIR BATIKHI: No. No of course not. Let’s crash. This is rally, this is for crashing.

BROWN: These cars burn money like they burn petrol. They literally churn through spare parts and tyres but Abir’s crew must skimp on maintenance.

ABIR’S CREW MEMBER: There’s no comparison, really there’s no comparison between our budget and the other team’s.

BROWN: Abir has high flying supporters, Jordan’s helicopter pilot Prince, Faisal bin al Hussein, has been tracking Abir’s progress with approval.

PRINCE FAISAL BIN AL HUSSEIN: A lot of courage, a lot of perseverance, a lot of hard work and she’s demonstrated all those skills.

BROWN: Abir thrives on the encouragement and she’s climbing up the rankings but the judges have been asking some awkward questions about regulation underwear.

Do you have fireproof panties?

ABIR BATIKHI: Yes I have but I didn’t bring all of it. I left it at home so I’m going to have to bring it now. Okay I need to go I’m sorry. Cheers. Bye, bye.

BROWN: After a quick refit, Abir is back on the track. The need for speed, the need to perform drive her on. By the end of the day Abir has achieved a personal best and clawed her way up the rankings into the top two dozen. As it turns out, Abir has a challenge well beyond the track in Jordan because she’s been asked to go to other Arab countries to teach their women how to drive rally style.

ABIR BATIKHI: It’s something really… I love it when they say it and I appreciate that they are thinking to let the woman to feel more freedom and more free and more open to the world. It’s not only sitting in the house and cooking and for children. I think the woman have the right to be just… to live just like the man.

BROWN: By now it should come as no surprise that Abir has a petrol head’s advice for women wishing to make their way in the world.

ABIR BATIKHI: If every woman when she drives she just push it a wee bit harder and just let them feel that she’s strong, they would be afraid from her [laughs].

BROWN: With Abir in the driver’s seat, anything is possible. Against the odds she’s assured her team a sponsor and a future at least until the next of the race.