Natasha Dury
The roar of a naturally aspirated V10 reverberating through the pit lane, the smell of hot rubber, and the unmistakable rush of speed set the tone for an unforgettable afternoon at Dubai Autodrome.
As part of the Dubai Shopping Festival Auto Season, I had the rare opportunity to get on track alongside professional drifter Dina Alnaib, experiencing firsthand the thrill of pushing her Lamborghini Huracán STO to its limits. My colleague spent some time interviewing Dina before my ride but It wasn’t just a passenger ride—it was a front-row seat into the mindset of a woman who lives and breathes motorsport.
We met at the DSF Auto Season dinner before heading to the circuit, where Dina immediately stood out, not just for her car, but for her calm confidence and infectious passion for driving.
“I’m Dina Alnaib,” she shared. “I’m here today as part of the DSF Auto Season, joining the track day activities. For me, anything to do with racing is exciting track days are some of my absolute favourites.”
A member of Supercar Majlis and a self-confessed performance car enthusiast, Dina’s automotive journey is refreshingly inclusive. “Whether I’m doing a track day in my Lamborghini STO or drifting my Ford Mustang, it honestly doesn’t matter,” she said with a smile. “As long as it has an engine, wheels, and a steering wheel, I will take it out and have fun. I just love the experience that a performance or sports car gives you.”
Her passion goes far beyond casual track days. Dina has been racing since the age of 16, first getting her licence in New Zealand, and has now been drifting professionally for over a year. When asked about her favourite circuit, her answer came without hesitation. “Yas Marina Circuit,” she said. “Driving on a Formula One track, where some of the biggest names in motorsport compete, is a very special and unique experience.”
Beyond lap times and drifting angles, Dina represents a growing movement of women redefining motorsport in the region. I admire Dina as she reminds me of my mum, a pioneering female motoring journalist who started testing cars 25 years ago in UAE and continues to write about cars for our magazine and represents the region for two global car awards – And Dina is a role model for the next generation in racing, she embodies confidence, skill, and authenticity qualities that resonate strongly with younger enthusiasts looking to break into what was once a male-dominated space. Two women doing two different things but making a mark in the automotive world. I live with one who drives writes about cars but it was such a privilege meeting Dina who races in different places and shows her metal with cars on the tracks.
The event wrapped up on a fitting high, reflecting the broader momentum of DSF Auto Season this year. From curated supercar track days and enthusiast gatherings to immersive motorsport experiences and city-wide automotive activations, DSF has once again turned Dubai into a playground for car lovers celebrating performance, community, and the people who keep automotive culture alive and accelerating forward.
