Talk about women in motorsport and the conversation starts with Michèle Mouton. She’s the icon. The legend. And in March, the history-making, genre-shaping Frenchwoman will return to the DirtFish Women in Motorsport Summit.
Predictably, we’re delighted. And we’re counting the days until she lands back into Snoqualmie.
“Having Michèle back with us again this year is just huge for DirtFish Women in Motorsport Summit,” said WiM coordinator Josie Rimmer.
“I remember watching her talk on the panel last year, people were totally spellbound. Her achievements speak for themselves: in the sport, she remains the only woman to have won at world rallying’s highest level. And she did it four times. More than that, Michèle was the founding president of the FIA’s own Woman in Motor Sport Commission.
“It’s impossible to think of anybody who has done more to craft and create opportunity and awareness of the need for more female participation in this great sport of ours.
“We talked a lot with Michèle at last year’s Summit. We heard some incredible stories about how she started in the sport all the way through her career to working now as safety delegate in the World Rally Championship. But what was even better than that was seeing her encouraging the next generation of female drivers, co-drivers, volunteers, techs throughout the Summit day.
“There’s so much more to talk about with Michèle. I can’t wait.”
Talking just hours after completing her safety delegate role on the season-opening Monte Carlo Rally, Michèle said: “It was really an honor to visit the DirtFish Women in Motorsport Summit last year and I was so happy to be asked back this year.
“You know, last year at DirtFish, it was one of the first times that I really thought about what I achieved in 40 years and how this could help other women. Going to the Summit and meeting those people, they really showed me that I was being a role model, I was inspiring them and that’s why I am happy to be back.
“The enthusiasm from everybody at DirtFish and all of the visitors to the Summit was incredible. Honestly, when we walk to the room and all the people were clapping and saying hello, it was an amazing feeling – the emotion and the passion was so high from the women to compete and to succeed.
“Josie [Rimmer] is working so hard for the Summit, she’s pushing all of the time in such an important area for the sport. It’s great to work with her again. I would love to see a DirtFish WiM Summit in lots of countries around the world, it’s really spreading the message to all women and that message is simple: yes, you can!”
DirtFish Women in Motorsport Summit is on Saturday March 2. Further details are available here.
