Meet the first all-female Palestinian racing team [UPDATE]

UPDATE: The issue of the Arab-Israeli conflict is a highly divisive and complex issue - one into which we did not intend to enter and would gladly leave to the relevant parties to sort out. Autoblog would like to apologize if we've inadvertently offended anyone's political, religious or ethnic sensibilities, and hope you enjoy the video just the same, in isolation from the conflict.

We are living in a fantastic time for movies about cars and motor racing. The Fast and Furious franchise brings mindless action, and movies like Rush show there can be a more intellectual side to motorsports. There's even room for some interesting documentaries, as well. Havana Motor Club is trying to tell the story of racing in Cuba, and a new doc called Speed Sisters explores the first all-female, Palestinian racing team.

Speed Sisters is still in production, but there is already a trailer. The movie focuses on five women from the Speed Sisters racing team and how they use motorsports to deal with the challenges in their lives. In a broader context, it's an examination of modern life in the Middle East for women. It's a sophisticated approach, but even if the politically related stuff doesn't interest you, it looks like there's plenty of racing action too.

As auto enthusiasts, it's great to see this renaissance of car films, from the big-budget action movies to the more intimate documentaries. Speed Sisters looks to be a great addition to the group.
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Maserati and Lamborghini pull out of Iran

Daimler is out, Toyota is out, Porsche is out, Hyundai, PSA Peugeot-Citroën are out and when it comes to selling cars in Iran, now Maserati and Lamborghini are out, too. The definitive pullouts of those last two automakers are said to be reactions to a press conference held by a group called United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI). The group highlights businesses that sell in both the US market and Iran, and works to get those businesses to choose one market or the other.

UANI said it had sent letters to Maserati and Lamborghini about their dealings in Iran, but that the letters went unanswered. Mark Wallace, head of UANI and a former US ambassador to the United Nations, held a press conference in October of last year that referenced the two companies. Apparently Lamborghini contacted Wallace just after the press conference and told him "they were out, they weren't doing any business in Iran anymore."

Discussions with Maserati then took place, and the Italian automaker said it had been out of Iran ever since Fiat announced it was leaving the country in May 2011. UANI said Maserati had been in talks with an Iranian distributor, however, and that distributor was continuing to use the Maserati name. The carmaker has since cut all ties with Iranian interests and has prevented its name from being used, adding that its new models will not be able to be sold there because they won't pass regulations the country's regulations. 

News Source: Algemeiner via Motor Authority

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Lamborghini and Maserati Abandon Business in Iran

After many months of rumors and deliberations, Maserati and Lamborghini have confirmed that they’re withdrawing all business from Iran effective immediately. The shock announcements comes after a campaign run by the United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) organisation pressured the two firm’s to shut up shop.

Back in October 2012, UANI spokesman Nathan Carleton said, “We weren’t trying to just embarrass anyone. We sent several letters to both companies asking them about their business in Iran and they just didn’t write back”.

Following on from these talks, Carleton added that “After the event we were immediately contacted by Lamborghini. They told us they were out, they weren’t doing any business in Iran anymore. We’re happy with that,” and not long after, Maserati followed suit. Maserati which is an arm of the Fiat Group, stated it was leaving the region after Fiat announced in May 2012 that it had lost a presence in the Islamic Republic.

New York City Public advocate Bill de Blasio concluded by stating, “This is one more step in the right direction in a crucial campaign to hit the Iranian regime at its economic core. Maserati and Lamborghini have done the right thing in pulling their business from Iran – and I am pleased we can remove them from Iranwatchlist.com. This is also a strong message to New Yorkers and Americans: we as consumers can help fight against a nuclear Iran, and I plan to continue this fight relentlessly, with as many allies as we can assemble.” 

News Source: Algemeiner

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