Reverse driver aims for world record to aid Palestinians

A man with a passion for doing things backwards is in the UAE hoping to set a world record for doing what he likes best.

Pakistani reverse-car driver Syed Sikandar Shah, who has set an Asian record, has come from Pakistan to break the world record in reverse car driving, and has pledged to donate all his earnings to the cause of the Palestinians in the occupied territories.

Last December 24, Shah set an Asian record by driving his car in reverse for 281 kilometres for five hours non-stop at the Gaddafi Cricket Stadium in Lahore.

He says that he will reverse-drive for 900 kilometres in nine hours to break the world record set by John Smith of the U.S. who drove a car for 813 kilometres in 13 hours 48 minutes on a superhighway in 1996.

He said that he had come to the UAE to break the record in an Islamic country. "I am here because I could not get enough support from authorities in Pakistan to set the world record. "I am not doing it for any financial gain, rather I want to be famous and enter my name and the UAE's name in the Guinness Book of World Records," said Shah, who has a degree in automobile engineering from the U.S.

Shah will donate whatever he earns to the Palestinians and other people in need. "I have enough money and business resources to support my passion for setting the world record. All I need is permission and support from the UAE authorities to break the record."

Shah claims that he can reverse-drive a car up to 100 kilometres on a normal road and achieve a speed of up to 140kph. He has spent millions of rupees doing this in the past six years.

He is often seen reverse-driving his 1986 Pajero jeep on the busy roads of Lahore. "Even police do not stop me because they know that I am expert in reverse-driving and have never had an accident," Shah said.

A father of two, Shah says his wife, a doctor, gives him plenty of support. "My brothers take care of my business and have encouraged me to set the world record whatever it costs."

Shah has made changes in his car's engine and transmission. "With the help of a mechanical advisor and a technical manager, we have 'reversed' the transmission system as my car has five reverse gears with some changes in the engine and differential." But no changes were made in the position of the seat. He twists around to look though the rear windscreen.

"Should permission be granted to me to set the world record in the UAE, I will prepare a new car here within two days instead of bringing my car from Lahore," he said.