Dubai’s first female-only supercar club
The Arabian Gazelles rev supercars Across The Middle east. it’s loud And clear: This is no longer A Gendered world
And after all that, Michel Foucault was right: ‘Power is everywhere and comes from everywhere.’ Right now, in the Arab world, that power comes with four wheels and a woman in the driver’s seat. In the case of Hanan Mazouzi, the founder of Arabian Gazelles, Dubai’s first female-only supercar club, it also comes with an abundance of horsepower.
‘They lifted the ban on driving [for women] in Saudi Arabia one year ago,’ reflects Mazouzi one recent morning in Dubai. It’s clear: the iconography created by the Gazelles has caught the eyes of the region.
Mazouzi founded Arabian Gazelles in
2016. Since then, it’s grown to more than 50 active members – a number that continues to swell across the region. The 43-year-old Algerian force hails from the labyrinthine streets of Algiers – when not driving the Gazelles forward, she’s also the mother of two teenagers, a selfmade entrepreneur and a Formula 3 000 racer.
Being an enthusiast, an aficionado – and, of course, an owner – is a prerequisite. Arabian Gazelles is anything but lip service.
‘Truth is, we women can drive and we can compete and we do have the same passion,’ she says. ‘Men are still shocked when they see women behind the wheel. But perceptions are changing – one guy at a time.’
What was your plan when you first arrived in Dubai, 20 years ago?
Not much. I studied business, in both Arabic and French. Back then, my parents lived in Qatar, but the best things were happening in Dubai. I arrived here to do a short business course, in English, and I ended up spending my life here.
Explain the reaction from your male peers when you attended your first F1.
I used to drive for a supercar club, 99% of whom were men – it was challenging. At my first
F1, none of the guys could read my name properly; and as a result, they thought I was a guy. Every one of them must have been thinking, “How did that happen?” None of them looked impressed. But driving supercars is no longer only for men.
And were there any verbal interactions or comments? I remember the first time I represented the [femaleonly] supercar club. I was told it was unusual for a woman to be seen behind the wheel – which surprised me. Why was Formula 1 only for men? Why were other hobbies only for men? Wasn’t that sexist, too?
How do you feel about taking the road less travelled in a male-dominated society? I didn’t start driving to empower other women; I wanted to share my passion. Some men didn’t want their wives to touch cars at all. I was surprised that of these men, some were among our close friends. But attitudes are gradually changing. I realise this when I sit with the women I’ve converted – women who are really happy to have joined the club and share my passion.
What do you think of masculinity in the Middle East? I feel that masculinity shouldn’t stop at how a man looks or what he does; but should also include how he supports the women in his life. For me, a real >>
‘They lifted the ban on driving [for women] in Saudi Arabia one year ago’
man is one who refuses to place barriers in front of women and how they live. It starts with how mothers nurture their sons and teach them to behave. The idea of masculinity is missing tolerance, acceptance and feminism.
There must have been some challenging moments in establishing
Arabian Gazelles.
My first media appearance was an eye-opener.
I was preparing for my interview on set when a man, who was also there for an interview, introduced himself as a psychologist. ‘When a woman is passionate about sports like supercar driving that’s usually a sign she’s having marital problems,’ he commented. To which I replied, ‘If I was a guy, would you say the same thing? Would you think I have problems with my marriage because of my passion for supercar driving?’ At that moment, I realised it wasn’t going to be easy.
Was your family supportive of your passion for supercars? Was it something you grew up with?
My dad was very supportive. I wanted to be a pilot, just like him, and the closest I could get to doing that was to drive a car. He’d return home after a long flight and take me to empty carparks to teach me how to drive. Back then, my mother would go crazy, as I was only 12 years old. But my dad would insist,‘if she wants to drive, I’ll teach her how to.’
‘Truth is, we women can drive and we can compete and we do have the same passion’
The Gazelles are the first femaleonly superclub to be registered in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Tell us more about it.
The club is registered and is opening in Saudi soon. It’s too early to release the club and start celebrating yet – that’s the next step.
What do you think about the car industry in the region?
I don’t think enough women are involved in it. I want more women to own car-manufacturing businesses; I want sponsors to see the value in our club and invest in it; and I want business owners to listen to what women have to say. What’s next for Arabian Gazelles? I want to connect women all over the world who are passionate about supercar driving. I receive a lot of requests from women around the world who want to become members of the club. I’ve been asked to form an international membership by creating Gazelles around the world – Gazelles South Africa, Gazelles USA, and so on. We, the Gazelles, want to be connected, and eventually, change the landscape of our hobby. What do you think of millennial-era feminism? In my opinion, the media has portrayed a rigid version of what feminism is. Most of this generation is saying, ‘That’s not for me. I don’t believe in feminism, but I do support its policies such as equal opportunity.’
What do you think Arab societies need most at the moment? Tolerance. And more
Arab role models, in all walks of life.
How do you imagine the future for women in the region?
All that I’ve done for the Gazelles so far is because of women. As more Arab women break down gender barriers, they’ll set an example to other women – and they will be inspired to imagine what’s possible.