Sara Misir: Making history behind the wheels
AS the world evolves, women are continuing to make bold moves, shattering stereotypes and dispelling generalisations meant to box women into gender roles. One such woman making extraordinary strides in her career, both on and off the racecourse, and breaking the glass ceiling is Sara Misir — professional race car driver, architect-in-training, and all-round goal-getter.
Misir is pursuing her dreams and inspiring many other women along her journey. Just this year, she made history as the first Formula Woman driver from the Caribbean, competing among 10,000 women globally for a spot on the DTO Motorsport Team for the GT Cup Championships. Misir describes this feat as one of her proudest moments.
“The achievement I am most proud of to date is winning a spot in the GT Cup Championship in the UK [United Kingdom],” Misir said. “To be among thousands of applicants from so many countries across the world and getting one of the top four spots is incredible. I worked so hard, passed every assessment, and to see the rewards of that paying off is a tremendous feeling.”
Even as Misir celebrates her achievements and milestones to date in the sport, the 24-year-old shared that her ultimate aspiration in the sport is to make it to the GT Euro series. “That would be a huge dream come true,” she said.
The self-motivated athlete, while acknowledging that motor sport is male dominated, said that she is not deterred by gender narratives but instead chooses to focus on her goals and aspirations while working hard to achieve them. Her advice to other women is not to ever be deterred by what gender your opponent is, but to instead shift your energy and focus on doing your best and working hard to achieve what you want.
Misir’s mindset is further cemented by her guided philosophy — “If you always do what you can, you’ll never be more than you are.”
“I am my biggest motivator and I aim to do my best in everything I set out to achieve. All I have ever wanted to be is the best version of myself, and that’s what pushes me to be better. When I know I can improve on something, that is all I work towards — because I have a clear vision of the woman I want to become,” said Misir.
To date, Misir has two championship titles from Jamaica — in modified production 1 and 2 — and is busy on the circuit as she continues preparations for the GT Cup Championships which continue on April 30.
Reflecting on how she fell in love with the sport, Misir shared that she was greatly influenced by her father, Jamaica Karting Association President Rugie Misir.
“When I was little I saw all his trophies in racing — from rally to bikes to circuit. I used to go to races with him and I always wanted to try it. The day I sat in a go-kart and felt that adrenaline, that’s when the passion for it really came to life,” she recalled.
Always an adventurous, fun, and competitive person, Misir shared that she had an active childhood where she was involved in a number of activities — horseback riding, dancing, tennis, and swimming.
“I was a very outgoing child who wanted to do everything for myself — no matter the difficulty. I was extremely competitive, even at that young age, wanting to always win and be the best in every sport I was playing,” she said.
If she wasn’t pursuing motor sport, Misir shared that she would likely still be in a competitive sport career either as a dirt biker or a professional equestrian, competing at the Olympics.
With big dreams ahead to conquer, Misir has no intention of switching from the fast lane anytime soon. Between pursuing her master’s in architecture at Florida International University and her pro race car career, this history-maker is staying busy as she focuses on smashing one goal at a time.
And as for the legacy she hopes to build, Misir said, “I want to represent the strength of a woman — that no matter where I put my efforts, I will succeed. I want people to remember me by my work ethic and my humility.”
