My Qatar Opportunity

A few months ago i saw that the FIA was organising a competition for a all female crew to enter the 2016 Sealine Cross Contry Rally.
I sent my CV and documents to the MSA and they informed me that my name had been put forward to the FIA from the UK.
I then had the long anticipated wait to see if i was lucky enough to be selected for the final 8 to go to the 5 day training programme in Qatar on the 2nd November.
When i had the news that i was selected i was excited, shocked and so pleased and grateful that i get such an amazing opportunity to go out to Qatar.
I would like to thank the MSA for putting my name forward and the FIA for putting together such a fantastic opporunity for female competitors.
Looking forward to the 5 day training programme and selection in November.
I will keep you updated with everything

Some more information from the MSA…

British rally driver Sara Williams is one of 18 female competitors from around the world chosen to visit Qatar for a training and assessment programme, from which one driver and one co-driver will be selected to contest the 2016 Sealine Cross Country Rally.

Williams was nominated by the MSA – along with British racing driver Jodie Hemmings – to be considered for the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) initiative, in association with the FIA Women in Motorsport Commission (WIMC). In total there were 85 applications from 39 countries.

The five-day training camp runs from 2 to 7 November, led by Jutta Kleinschmidt, the first and only woman to win the Dakar Rally, and multiple rally and cross country winning co-driver Fabrizia Pons. They will guide the candidates through an intense training and development programme encompassing all the essential techniques required for the spectacular cross country discipline.

Now 26, Brecon-born Williams began co-driving at the age of 16. She switched to the driving seat in 2006; in 2013 Williams became the first female to win a UK rally outright since Louise Aitken Walker in 1983, and she also won this year’s Red Dragon Rally.

Williams said: “I’m shocked. Thank you to the MSA for nominating me and giving me this once in a lifetime opportunity. I’m so excited to be representing the UK in Qatar and hopefully I can do everyone proud!”

Rob Jones, MSA Chief Executive, said: “Sara is well-known within British rallying and it’s great to see her talent being recognised. This is a fantastic opportunity and I wish her the best of luck in the training camp and hope to see her competing on the Sealine Cross Country Rally next year.”

Michèle Mouton, president of the FIA WIMC and member of the selection committee, said: “We were impressed by the calibre of applicants, which made this initial selection process very difficult. For those applicants who weren’t successful on this occasion, I urge them to continue following their dream and never give up. For the others we will meet in Qatar, this is where the adventure starts!”

Jodie Hemmings added: “I was delighted to be nominated by the MSA for this amazing opportunity! Having always raced in single-seaters, a challenge in a cross country car across the desert was something that appealed to me. I would love to be one of the few female racing drivers who have children and a family but still a career. Congratulations to Sara on her selection!”

Follow me on Twitter to keep up to date : @sararally