As the 2025 Taklimakan Rally crosses its halfway mark, 20-year-old Seychellois driver Aliyyah Koloc has captured global attention with her tenacity and sportsmanship. Competing in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Koloc ranks 11th overall after Stage 5 despite mechanical challenges and the desert's extreme conditions. Her journey through the world's second-largest shifting sand desert offers insights into motorsport's growing Asian appeal.
In an exclusive interview, Koloc described navigating 287 kilometers of dunes as "intense but exhilarating,\" even after pausing to assist a crashed competitor. "Stopping felt human,\" she told Sports Scene, highlighting the rally's unique blend of competition and camaraderie.
The Buggyra Racing team member, who transitioned from tennis to motorsports at 15 following an injury, credits her father – former racer Martin Koloc – as her inspiration. "The local support here is unlike anything I've experienced,\" she added, praising Xinjiang's landscapes and enthusiastic residents.
With five stages remaining, Koloc's story transcends sports: A narrative of youthful determination, cross-cultural connections, and adapting to one of Earth's harshest environments. As the rally continues, her progress offers investors and travelers alike a fresh perspective on Xinjiang's growing role in international motorsports.
