Laleh Seddigh is an Iran

Iran

Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...

ian female race car driver. She races both on circuits and in rallies. She lives in Tehran

Tehran

Tehran , sometimes spelled Teheran, is the capital of Iran and Tehran Province. With an estimated population of 8,429,807; it is also Iran's largest urban area and city, one of the largest cities in Western Asia, and is the world's 19th largest city.In the 20th century, Tehran was subject to...

 and has been called the "little Schumacher

Michael Schumacher

Michael Schumacher is a German Formula One racing driver for the Mercedes GP team. Famous for his eleven-year spell with Ferrari, Schumacher is a seven-time World Champion and is widely regarded as the greatest F1 driver of all time...

". She is recognized as the best female racer in the country. She is trained by former national champion Saeed A'rabian.

Early life

Seddigh started driving at the age of 13, taught by her father. She passed her driving test at 18.

Driving career

Seddigh had to get special permission from a local ayatollah

Ayatollah

Ayatollah is a high ranking title given to Usuli Twelver Shī‘ah clerics. Those who carry the title are experts in Islamic studies such as jurisprudence, ethics, and philosophy and usually teach in Islamic seminaries. The next lower clerical rank is Hojatoleslam wal-muslemin...

 in order to compete against men. Permission was granted since driving is not deemed a contact sport, and on the condition that Seddigh would confirm to dress-codes.
At 28, Laleh Seddigh was known for her stunning looks and legendary driving skills. A PhD student from Tehran, she has been nicknamed "a little Schumacher" after the German Formula One champion. She has been given the title of Iran's best female racing driver.
The story is featured in a BBC TV documentary called "Girl Racer".
some of her career achievements are:

Rally
- Started her career in 2000
- Women Champion 2003, 2004
- Captain of Proton Rally team
- Completed 28 Rallies
- 7 Podiums, 3 First place

Races
- Started car racing in 2004
- Completed 5 races (Peugeot 206, 1600 cc & Proton 1500 cc)
- 7 Podium finishes, five 1st Places
- National Champion Peugeot 206 - 1600cc

Television appearances

Seddigh's story is featured in a BBC TV documentary called Girl Racer, transmitted in 2008.

http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2007/12/ADCA938F-6306-4EF8-A2A4-DBA70E4A9183.html

Quotes

"Resistance from men does not bother me. Once I get on the track I like to use my technical skills, take control and dominate the other drivers."

"Most of them, I think, are jealous, and I don't care about that. I am just going and going and hoping to be champion in the next years and I will really try to achieve that goal."

"Every time I want to practice or make a test drive, the track staff ask me for a letter of permission -- even though I am the captain of the Proton speed team. Men never have this kind of hassle."

External links

• Official Website
• BBC News Article on Laleh Seddigh
• Her photo at Iranian.com
  Iranian.com
  Iranian.com, also known as The Iranian and The Iranian Times, is an online English language magazine.Founded in July 1995 by entrepreneur/journalist Jahanshah Javid, Iranian.com has the largest online following among Iranians residing in North America, with about 68,000 visitors per month-Awards...
  
  
• Iran's speed queen, The Observer
  The Observer
  The Observer is a British newspaper, published on Sundays. In the same place on the political spectrum as its daily sister paper The Guardian, which acquired it in 1993, it takes a liberal or social democratic line on most issues. It is the world's oldest Sunday newspaper.-Origins:The first issue,...
  
  

See also

• List of famous Iranian women
• Iranian women's movement
  Persian women's movement
  This article is primarily about the women's movement. For information about women in Iranian/Persian culture, please see Iranian women..The Iranian women's movement involves the movement for women's rights and women's equality in Iran. The movement first emerged some time after the Iranian...
  
  
• Danica Patrick
  Danica Patrick
  Danica Sue Patrick is an American auto racing driver, model and advertising spokeswoman. She is the most successful woman in the history of American open-wheel racing, being the only woman to win in the IndyCar Series as well as holding the highest finish by a woman at the Indianapolis 500 of 3rd...
  
  , Famous Female American racing driver