Rumeau and Amblard impressed in the French
Gravel and Tarmac championships last year in the first year of the Iron Dames
rally programme, by taking fifth on asphalt and sixth on gravel. Moving to the
WRC will undoubtedly be a big leap for the duo, but both are ready for the
challenge.
For Rumeau, this transition to
the WRC is deeply significant, especially following a successful year competing
in France. “As we look towards 2025 with Citroën Racing, we’re embarking on an
important international journey. It feels like a continuing dream with the
team, and I am immensely proud,” she said.
Amblard concurred, remarking on
the pride that comes with being among the first representatives of the Iron
Dames in the world of rallying.
For Deborah Mayer, the visionary
behind the Iron Dames Project, it is important to facilitate the the resurgence
of female talent in the WRC and moving to the WRC is a critical advancement.
“We are so proud of what Sarah and Julie have
achieved in just one year. Through their determination and talent, they embody
the spirit of the Iron Dames and deserve this extraordinary 2025 programme. To
see them follow in the footsteps of such a Grande Dame as Michèle Mouton is
particularly moving,” said Mayer.
The duo is ready to commence
their ambitious campaign this weekend in Monte Carlo, which spans seven rounds
of the WRC2 Championship across both gravel and Tarmac terrains. This
pioneering project enjoys the support of significant stakeholders, including
Citroën Racing, the FFSA, and Sarrazin Motorsport.
The participation of women at the
highest levels of the WRC isn’t a novel phenomenon, with Michèle Mouton one of
the most formiddable forces in rallying throughout the late seventies and early
eighties. More recently co-driver Isabelle Galmiche achieved victory on the
Monte as co-driver for WRC legend Sébastien Loeb in 2022 whilst recent seasons
have also seen Reeta Hämäläinen crowned WRC2 Co-Driver champion with fellow
Finn Enni Malkonen achieving the same feat in WRC3. Additionally starting in WRC2 this weekend is
Italian driver Rachele Somaachini, co-piloted by Nicola Arena, who is making
her step up from the FIA European Rally Championship, further enriching the
landscape of women in the sport.
This initiative complements the
Beyond Rally Women’s Driver Development Programme, which saw Lyssia Baudet and Claire Schönborn
excel among 13 competitors to earn their places in the FIA Junior WRC for the
coming year, showcasing the promising future for women in rallying. The exclusive
Ford Fiesta Rally3 junior championship begins on the snowy roads of Sweden in February.
Iron Dames WRC calendar
• 23 – 26 January: Rallye Monte-Carlo
• 15 – 18 May: Vodafone Rally de Portugal
• 05 – 08 June: Rally Italia Sardegna
• 26 – 29 June: EKO Acropolis Rally Greece
• 31 July – 03 August: Secto Rally Finland
• 16 – 19 October: Central European Rally
• 27 – 30 November: Saudi Arabia