The Healthcare Institution of North Iceland
Diagnosing the Human Body, Leaving the Cars to Others
3rd November 2026
Hafdís Alma Einarsdóttir, a family physician with HSN in Akureyri, thrives on variety and enjoys a good challenge. At work, she cares for individuals and families; in her spare time, she takes the wheel of a black 1980 Chevrolet Corvette and competes in drag racing. This summer, she became both the Icelandic Champion and Cup Champion in her class.
Hafdís was born and raised in Akureyri, so close to the local healthcare centre that she can see her childhood home from her office window. Her dream of becoming a doctor began at the age of four, when she accompanied her mother to a prenatal care appointment.
“A doctor came into the room, and I remember thinking very clearly that this was exactly what I wanted to do when I grew up.”
A Childhood Dream Comes True
Toward the end of secondary school, Hafdís found herself growing tired of studying and could not imagine going straight into medical school. Nevertheless, she decided to sit the medical school entrance exam, despite being underprepared and having little confidence in the outcome.
“Honestly, I mainly took the exam to show my grandparents that I had at least tried to get in. I didn’t really believe I’d make it. But I sailed through the exam, and after that there was no turning back.”
A summer job at HSN after her fifth year of medical studies proved decisive in shaping her career path. During that summer, she encountered a wide range of experiences while working shifts.
“That summer took away my fears. I decided to pursue specialist training in family medicine after completing medical school and my internship, and I received my specialist licence in family medicine in 2023. What appeals to me most is the variety and the broad perspective you gain as a family physician. The combination of shift work and clinic work suits me very well, but what I enjoy most is the human aspect. Getting to know families, sometimes several generations within the same family, and following them through different stages of life is incredibly rewarding.”
The Smell of Brand-New Tyres Is Embarrassingly Appealing
Hafdís’s passion for cars also dates back to her childhood. Her parents owned a tyre shop, and her father competed in off-road motorsport events. As a little girl, she happily spent time sorting screws, nuts, and bolts, while summers revolved around travelling to competitions.
“I wasn’t obsessively interested in cars as a child, but it was simply part of life. There was really no escaping it. Even today, I find the smell of brand-new tyres embarrassingly pleasant.”
Her interest in cars grew after obtaining her driving licence. At eighteen, she competed in her first street drag race in her father’s Corvette. She had access to that Corvette throughout part of her secondary school years and even worked as a cleaner to cover fuel costs.
“I was the cleaning lady who showed up at Jóhannes’s house from Bónus driving a Corvette. We used to joke that I had a nicer car than he did,” Hafdís laughs.
Later came university studies and family life. However, while on maternity leave with her eldest daughter, she was offered the chance to buy her dream car, a 1980 Corvette. It was an opportunity she could not refuse.
“I was completely broke, in the middle of my internship year, and had a small baby. It certainly wasn’t the sensible thing to do, but I arranged to pay for the car in instalments after my leave. I’m very happy I made that decision.”
At the time, the Corvette had long since become a classic car and was never intended to become a drag racer. However, as her specialist certification in family medicine approached, her father surprised her with an unusual graduation gift: a new engine for the Corvette.Hafdís began competing with her car in late summer 2022 and quickly discovered that more horsepower required far more than simply pressing the accelerator. The increased power proved too much for parts of the drivetrain, and mechanical failures were frequent. In four of her first six races, the car had to be transported home on a trailer.
“Being a car enthusiast often involves a lot of frustration and hard work, which makes the successes even more enjoyable.”
Men and Women Compete on Equal Terms
Hafdís’s achievements this summer speak for themselves. In addition to winning the Icelandic eighth-mile championship and the Cup Championship in her class, she was named Motorsport Athlete of the Year by the Akureyri Car Club. She was also nominated for the same title by the Icelandic Motorsport Association, with the final selection taking place on 31 October.
“It’s obviously a great honour in every respect. But personally, I don’t think these titles need to be divided by gender. We don’t compete in separate male and female categories in this sport. I mostly race against men, although I would certainly like to see more women taking part. We all compete under exactly the same conditions.”
She emphasizes that motorsports are for everyone and belong on closed tracks under safe conditions, never on public streets.
“I’d like to change people’s perception of car enthusiasts. Those of us who take part in motorsports are not reckless individuals spinning tyres in town. We do this in a safe and controlled environment.”
The Only Knitting Needle Will Be a Race Car
“A lot of people are surprised that I’m involved in this. Me, the calm, sensible, and level-headed woman. I don’t consider myself an adrenaline junkie. I won’t even go on a roller coaster. But when I’m at the starting line, I feel completely in control, and all the stress disappears.”
Hafdís’s husband, Sigursteinn Sigursteinsson, is also a multiple drag-racing champion. Together they have two daughters, who have developed their own perspectives on the sport.
“For a while, my younger daughter was convinced that fathers didn’t know how to drive fast, only mothers.”
Hafdís does not envision her automotive passion being replaced by golf or knitting.
“Unless, perhaps, I’m knitting while sitting in a drag racer. One way or another, I’ll be an old woman either racing a Corvette or cruising around in a 1959 Impala. That’s my next dream car.”
Car repairs, however, are something she gladly leaves to others.
“I have an entire team behind me. My father and his helpers play the leading role there, and my husband, family, and friends support me every step of the way. I’m just like the professional racers around the world. I simply show up at races and drive. I stay well away from the repairs and leave myself with diagnosing the human body as my day job.”
