Just as Nigeria broke new grounds at the just concluded Rio 2016 Olympics by coming 5th overall in female rowing a sport that the country has never contested before, the country is a again breaking new grounds in Formula 1 racing.
For the first time in the country’s history, the Nigerian national anthem was played for a Motorsport victory at the legendary F1 track of SPA Francorchamps in Belgium. The event held on the 30th of July 2016.
For those not familiar with motor sports or Formula 1 racing, the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps motor-racing circuit is the venue of the Formula One Belgian Grand Prix, and of the Spa 24 Hours and 1000 km Spa endurance races. Read more about it HERE.
Nigeria was represented by Shahin Nouri, a Swiss-born Nigeria based racer who is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Coollink, an Internet service provider in Nigeria, a member of Steam Broadcasting and Communication Limited. Steam Broadcasting owns urban radio stationCoolFm.
Interestingly Shahin has been competing for some time now and doing the country proud.
In January, he represented Nigeria at the 11th edition of the Dubai 24 hour Car Racing, which took place on January 15 .
It was the first time Nigeria was represented at the endurance race in Dubai and Nouri, who is fondly called Fineboy by his fans, was among four contestants gunning for the top position.
Due to a mishap during the race, Nouri’s dream of winning was not yet to be. He however remained determined and said after the race:
“I am delighted to be given to chance to race for Leipert Motorsport for the Lamborghini Super Trofeo this season. I would also like to thank WazobiaTV and coollink.ng for their support. I thank them because Nigerians will be able to watch live the Lamborghini Super Trofeo on WazobiaTV. I will race for Nigerians and promote Nigeria’s core values and brands during this unique international motorsport championship,” Nouri stated.
In April he came third at a race in Monza Italy. CoolFM posted the pic above with the caption:
Congratulations to @fineboy_racing, he represented Nigeria in his first race of the season and came 3rd at the #Monza. This is the first time Nigeria’s flag is hoisted on the #Monza podium.
Early in the month of July, he came third at the at the last round of the European Championship Lamborghini Super Trofeo in France. He wrote on his Instagram:
“From my Podium and P3 at the last round of the European Championship Lamborghini Super Trofeo. ”
This was before his last race at F1 track of SPA Francorchamps in Belgium where he came FIRST. It is the first time the Nigerian anthem has ever been played for winning in a motor sport. Watch below:
MDB is very proud of Shahin Nouri and wish him many more years of success as he continues his quest of putting Nigeria on the map as far as motor sports is concerned. See photos below:
You can follow his activities on Instagram @fineboy_racing
Cool
Congratulations…
Interesting !