An LLB student, Tasmia Lalloo (20), is fast making a name for herself in the world of competitive spinning.
She had her first stint behind the wheel three years ago and has not looked back since.

The sport, which involves dangerous stunts performed behind the steering wheel – including making ‘doughnuts’ and precision figure-eight turns – has taken off in South Africa since its inception in Soweto in the late 1980s.

It is today officially recognised by Motorsport South Africa, with the top drivers sporting major brand sponsorships.

“I got into spinning through my father, who is a huge motorsport fan,” says Tasmia.

“We’ve always been entrenched in the local motorsport community, spending our weekends either at the track where my father would participate in spinning events, or in the garage at home helping my father work on the cars.

“He always encouraged us to take part in his passion, and over the years it rubbed off on us as well.”

Tasmia, who, like her father, favours the now iconic BMW 3 Series box-shape, adds that her goal is to be chosen for the Red Bull Shay-iMoto – where the top 16 drivers battle it out in an elimination event to be crowned the winner – and to eventually turn professional and drive internationally.

“Motorsport plays a significant role in my family,” she said.

“The motorsport community has always been like an extended family for us.”

She added that her younger sister, Amaanah Haffejee, is also a budding petrolhead, currently in training to become a stunt driver.

“We’re in the process of building a car for her.”

Her mother, Beena Lalloo, takes all the blame for the family’s obsession with spinning.

“I knew my husband loved the sport, so I saved up and bought him a spinning car,” she said. “There was no going back after that.”

Her father, Riyad Haffejee, could not be prouder.

“Unlike most families nowadays, we actually spent my children’s youth doing something together as a family.

“For my daughters to follow in my passion is a huge honour for me. Also, they’ll never have to ask their husbands to fix their cars one day; they’ll be able to do it themselves.”