Charlotte to participate in the "Women In Motor Sport evaluation" with Volkswagen
2010-10-27
Volkswagen Motorsport has joined forces with the FIA’s Women & Motor Sport Commission to help develop new female talent in the sport. Working in association with the FIA’s National Sporting Authorities (ASNs), Volkswagen Motorsport will provide a car for a full season for a young woman to contest the 2011 Scirocco R-Cup.
Michèle Mouton, President of the Women & Motor Sport Commission, said: “We are delighted to be working with such an important manufacturer as Volkswagen. This is a great opportunity and what I hope is the first of a number of initiatives that will help promote women in motor sport.”
In keeping with its philosophy of supporting aspiring young drivers, Volkswagen Motorsport will assess the ability of a group of talented female racers nominated by their ASNs on 2nd November at the Oschersleben circuit in Germany. This will not only include an assessment of their racing potential, but also classroom theory.
Kris Nissen, Volkswagen Motorsport Director, said: “The promotion of young talent in motor sport has a high priority at Volkswagen and female racers should not continue to be exceptions from our point of view. The Scirocco R-Cup is considered the epitome of touring car schools and offers participants the opportunity to learn a lot and to prepare themselves for professional motor sport. We are delighted to be able to support the FIA in its talent initiative.”
The drivers nominated to compete in the evaluation process are:
Maiken Rasmussen Age 20 Denmark Laura Koivuluoma Age 21 Finland Chiara Poletto Age 18 Italy Priscilla Speelman Age 21 Netherlands Ayla Agren Age 17 Norway Senica Klavdija Age 20 Slovenia Charlotte Haegermark Age 21 Sweden Sarah Moore Age 16 United Kingdom Jade Paveley Age 17 United Kingdom Louise Richardson Age 17 United Kingdom
At the end of the process, one talented young woman will be selected to contest the Scirocco Junior Cup classification, which is part of the nine-race 2011 Scirocco R-Cup - one of the world’s most eco-conscious one-make series. The youngster will be pitted against a grid of other young racers competing for the title of Scirocco Junior R-Cup Champion as well as professional drivers and racing legends from such series as Formula 1, WRC and Le Mans.
Throughout the season, the driver will receive guidance and advice from members of the Women & Motor Sport Commission and, should she finish within the top five of the Scirocco Junior Cup classification at the end of the season, Volkswagen undertakes to extend her contract up to and including 2012. If the young female is then classified within the top three in the Junior Cup in 2012, Volkswagen will make its best endeavours to help the driver compete in one of its brands in an international series or FIA Championship.
