‘Nadir Magsi is Pakistan’s Schumacher’

Rally driver praised, his efforts lauded after Jhal event.

JHAL: Nadir Magsi, a pioneer in promoting motorsports in Pakistan, has garnered praise after clinching the Jhal Magsi Desert Challenge 2011 in the Balochistan village on Sunday.

Few doubted Nadir to win the race and fewer were sceptical of his ability to complete the 194-kilometre track. He crossed the finish line amid fireworks and celebratory gunshots as locals went berserk on the home-town hero’s return.

National Motorsports, a member club of the Motorsports Association of Pakistan (MAP), was responsible for the organisation of the Jhal Magsi rally and race director Rehan Qureshi could not stop praising the veteran driver.

“He is as gifted as it gets,” Qureshi told The Express Tribune. “Motorsports in Pakistan is finished if you take Nadir out of the equation. I’d say he’s Pakistan’s [Michael] Schumacher.”

Nadir’s importance can be judged from the fact that the driver is involved in every project that pertains to Pakistan motorsports. His Mitsubishi Evolution is one of the highlights on the Autocross track and the driver’s Land Cruiser is what caused many locals to show up at the Jhal event.

“There are very few people promoting motorsports in Pakistan and Nadir played a huge role,” added Qureshi. “You just need to sit with him once while he’s driving and you’ll realise his expertise behind the wheel.”

Experience helped my cause: Nadir

Driving since an early age, Nadir remains humble off the wheel. But behind it, the
veteran driver is a treat to watch. He admitted that the Jhal Magsi track was difficult and maintained that experience was a huge factor behind his win.

“I had to be slow at times,” said Nadir. “Experience mattered and I’m glad I finished in a good time.

“The event was a huge success and we plan on holding more events to keep motorsports alive in Pakistan.”

Published in The Express Tribune, December 21^st, 2011.