Another sell-out. Another blockbuster. For the third year in succession Saturday’s DirtFish Women in Motorsport Summit delivered on every level.
Stars from across the world of motorsport descended on the world’s finest rally school to deliver another momentous day – a day which will inspire the desire to drive, co-drive, volunteer and engineer.
Four-time world rally winner and trailblazing founding president of the FIA’s Women and Motor Sport Commission Michèle Mouton spearheaded Saturday’s Summit, enlightening and encouraging the next generation of female participation. Alongside the French star sat one of world rallying’s most talked about figures right now, Pernilla Solberg. The multiple world title-winning Swede was announced as WRC Commission president last week.
The WRC’s leading (and clearly from the fan interaction, most-loved) broadcaster Becs Williams made her debut at the Summit, as did Michele Abbate, Vanessa Ruck and Jndia Erbacher.
The DirtFish Women in Motorsport Summit service park was new for 2024 and offered an insight into the work of a tech
The six stars were split across two panels on an unforgettable day. Despite increasing capacity by 50% on last year, it was still standing room only – until even the standing room ran out.
Vendors and food and drinks stall kept everybody busy, fed and watered while thrill rides offered an insight into what it takes to sit alongside a frontline rally driver. And if you wanted to know more about the sport, there were workshops to offer insight into life at DirtFish, working as a tech, a volunteer and, of course, a driver and co-driver.
Once again DirtFish’s very own Women in Motorsport coordinator Josie Rimmer delivered an incredible and life-changing day.
She said: “Firstly, I can’t take the credit for this. The team here at DirtFish has just been incredible, amazing. Everybody has given everything they had to make it a day to remember and, I think, we completely smashed it!
(l-r) Vanessa Ruck, Jndia Erbacher and Michele Abbate kept the panel crowd entertained in what was a stunning third Summit at DirtFish
“There were so many memories, so many stories – the fireside chat between Becs [Williams] and Michèle [Mouton] was just awesome. It gave me goosebumps to hear those two talking. It was the same with Vanessa [Ruck], to hear about her recovery and how she’s totally killing it now and Michele [Abbate] and Jndia, the two of them were a total inspiration.
“Honestly, when we were in the panels, I was finding it hard to concentrate on the job of hosting – I was so engrossed in their stories! And then, of course, we had the new WRC Commission president in Pernilla Solberg. What an amazing person. We’ve been fortunate to have Pernilla here at the school with us a few times and every time I’m left with even more admiration for what she does.
“I can’t thank everybody enough for making our third Summit the best yet. Now, the work starts on year four…”
