There’s no stopping speed queen Chiara
Local Zululand talent Chiara Frara recently became the first female to receive her national colours in the Stock Rods Division for racing
DO not let her bubblegum pink car and quirky smile fool you.
Chiara Frara (17) is one heck of a race car driver.
Having recently earned her national colours in the Stock Rods Division, known as ZA3 (no modifications on vehicles with an engine capacity of 1300cc-1600cc), Chiara was also named the first female in the country to receive her colours in the Stock Rods Division.
Only racing professionally for three years, Chiara started driving at the age of 11, but admits that cars weren’t her first interest.
‘I used to race quad bikes when I was younger. I was and still am a bit of an adrenaline junkie.
‘I wanted to race Enduro, a form of motorbike sport, but my dad said it was too dangerous and that he’d rather have me race cars. That’s when it all started.’
Not long after purchasing her first car, her neighbour’s 1275cc Mini Coupé, Chiara’s stepfather bought her a 1600cc Citi Golf, her current winning vehicle – or as Chiara noted, her ‘first love’.
‘My stepfather was supposed to go to Mauritius for his 40th birthday, but instead bought me my car.
‘I don’t have the words to express how grateful I am for that.’
Chaira said that she was excited to start her first race, but the excitement soon faded when she lost focus and rear-ended a car in front of her, damaging her radiator in the process, which took nine months to repair.
‘I didn’t end up finishing my first race, but I learned from my mistakes and have improved.’
Inspired by her grandfather, Johnny Frara, who has been racing for many years and who initially taught her how to drive, Chiara said that guys are usually shocked when they see her drive.
‘Most guys will watch me and come up to me after a race looking completely shocked.
‘It’s good to show people that woman can also race and become good at it,’ she said.
Currently in matric, Chiara is looking into studying psychology and possibly branch into criminology.
‘Studying is important because I have to study so I can get a good job and make money to buy more cars.
‘Next year I will be taking a gap year just to be 100% sure of whether that’s what I want to study.’
And while most girls her age struggle to find love, that’s not an issue for Chiara.
‘My car is one of my first loves.
‘Your car isn’t going to wake up and say ‘I don’t love you anymore’. While it might not work or get damaged, all of that can be sorted out and fixed,’ she laughed.
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