FIA Women in Motorsport Sealine Cross Country Selection 2015 - Qatar

V-Ex024 – Sara Williams Cross Country Rally Project Report

Number 1 British female rally driver Sara Williams has recently returned from Qatar after 5 days of intense desert driving training courtesy of Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) and the FIA Women in Motorsport Commission. Sara joined 17 fellow female drivers and co-drivers, who received expert training from Jutta Kleinschmidt (the first and only female winner of the Dakar Rally) and cross country rally winning co-driver Fabricia Pons, with a final 6 being chosen to compete in the 2016 Sealine Rally. Despite missing out on the final selection, Williams completed the project enthused and charged with positive experiences.

Candidates headed into the expansive desert, some with no previous desert driving experience, in temperatures of over 35°C to gain experience in all facets of desert racing. Each day the participants tackled different disciplines, including handling a vehicle in sand, navigation, changing a wheel, extracting a vehicle when stuck and tackling the intimidating dunes. Vehicles and support were supplied by the QMMF, with the expertise of Jutta and Fabricia always on hand for the drivers.

Sara commented after the event, ‘The project was so much different to what I’m used to competing in Britain. Thankfully I like hot weather! The experience was great, we all tried our hardest and driving on the dunes was something I found incredibly enjoyable. I am disapointed not to be selected but just to compete in a prestigious project like this is truly a once in a lifetime experience, after such an opportunity I can only focus on the numerous positives!’

The project was enabled by the head of the QMMF, Nasser Kalifa Al Attiyah, and the head of the FIA Women in Motorsport Commission, Michelle Mouton. Both are ex professional rally drivers, with a firm commitment to boosting the profile of women within motorsport. Meeting Mouton, the first and only women to win a WRC rally and a veteran of the infamous Group B era of rallying, was a personal highlight for Sara.

‘It was amazing to meet Michelle, Jutta and Fabricia. I particularly look up to Michelle, she was a fantastic rally driver in her time and when I read about her I notice some similarities between us. Her achievement of staying competitive in a male sport is a standard I work very hard to attain; just focussing on the job at hand and trying to produce a good performance. Being able to talk with someone who is so respected in the sport was one of the highlights of my week.’

Originally only one driver and co-driver were to be selected to compete in the 2016 Sealine Rally. However in a generous gesture from the QMMF, it was announced during the Friday award ceremony in Doha that another two entry cars would be funded by the federation. The main winners, New Zealander Emma Gilmour and Lisette Bakker of the Netherlands were joined by Australian Molly Taylor, Yasmeen Elmajed of Jordan, Cristina Herrero of Spain and Belgian Lara Vanneste.

After the ceremony, Sara was in high spirits, ‘Firstly I’d like to thank the QMMF, the FIA, Jutta, Fabricia and Michelle for organising such a fantastic event. I would also like to thank the MSA for selecting me from the UK, their support has been really valuable to me. I would like to thank my family and everyone who believes in and supports my motorsport career. Without their belief and tireless efforts, I would never have had the chance to compete. Finally, I want to wish the Sealine Rally teams all the best for the event next year, and all the inspiring women I competed with during the project.’

With Sara building her international profile, inclusion on such a prestigious motorsport project is the culmination of her tireless efforts on stage and in the garage. With her growing reputation and great experience behind the wheel, inclusion has seen her talents recognised on an international level, talents that fans of the UK rally scene are only too aware of. For Sara, the present and the future are nothing but bright.