PETALING JAYA: National motorsport racer Sophia Zara Mustaffa Kamal is making her mark both on the track and behind the virtual wheel.
The 17-year-old, who became the youngest female track racer in Malaysia when she made her debut at 15 two years ago, added another achievement to her growing list at the Malaysia Games (Sukma) last month.
Competing in e-sports for Selangor, Sophia won gold in the Simulator Racing Individual event and silver in the team event.
"I started sim racing less than a year ago. I never imagined I would compete at this level," said Sophia.
Her experience in real racing gave her a basic understanding of the simulator, but she admitted the transition was not without its challenges.
"In a real car, you rely on feeling and movement. But in a simulator, it’s more about visual information.
"There was definitely a learning curve, but I eventually got the hang of it."
Having tasted success behind the virtual wheel, Sophia plans to continue competing in both forms of racing.
"I don’t see it as a one-off experience. I want to keep competing in both platforms because they complement each other," said Sophia, who hopes to represent Malaysia at next year’s SEA Games on home soil.
She continued her dual racing journey at the Malaysia Festival of Speed on Sept 6, winning gold in the women's e-sport and karting slalom events, as well as bronze in the senior karting slalom.
She will next take to the asphalt with her racing team, Super Evergreen Motorsport, in the Toyota Gazoo Racing series, which will conclude its season in October.
