Road to 2025 FIA Junior WRC takes next major step for 15 female hopefuls
Beyond Rally Women’s Driver Development Programme
Three-day evaluation for Beyond Rally Female Talent Development Programme participants underway in Krakow, Poland.
The wait is over for the 15 participants in the Beyond Rally Female Talent Development Programme who have arrived at M-Sport Poland's Krakow headquarters, ready to kick off an intense three-day evaluation which runs from 16 -18 September.
From 13 countries around the world, the aspiring rally stars represent a diverse range of backgrounds. Each is eager to prove their worth and secure one of the coveted three seats in a Ford Fiesta Rally3 at next month’s Central European Rally – the penultimate round of the 2024 FIA World Rally Championship. From there, one driver will be selected to contest a fully supported 2025 FIA Junior World Rally Championship programme.
Created by WRC Promoter, the Female Talent Development Programme is part of its Beyond Rally initiative, which outlines its commitment to shaping the future of the sport. By focusing on key areas like climate action, biodiversity protection, innovation, responsible management, and social impact, Beyond Rally is driving rallying towards a more sustainable future.
The training camp is set to test each participant’s driving skills, mechanical knowledge, and media presence. The participants will be put through their paces and face a series of challenges, which range from practical and theoretical technical knowledge to the all-important driver’s evaluation on both asphalt and gravel surfaces.
An inspiring lineup of skilled mentors will be on hand, with the likes of 2023 FIA Junior WRC champion William Creighton and two-time Norwegian rally champion Eyvind Brynildsen spearheading the driving assessments, whilst 2022 WRC2 co-drivers’ champion Reeta Hämäläinen will oversee the pacenote, recce and regulation evaluations.
All modules will take place under the watchful eye of an assembled panel who are responsible for selecting the three contestants to go forward to the Central European Rally. The panel is made up of Chair of the FIA Women in Motorsport Commission Burcu Çetinkaya, FIA WRC Rally Commission President Pernilla Solberg, M-Sport Poland Managing Director Maciej Woda, former WRC driver Isolde Holderied and WRC Promoter senior Director of Sport Peter Thul.
Speaking at EKO Acropolis Rally Greece, Çetinkaya sees the Beyond Rally initiative as providing a vital springboard for aspiring female drivers to progress in their careers.
She said: “Absolutely, I think this is a necessary project. I would like to use this opportunity to invite all the women out there to join in. Even if you are just joining one WRC event which is in your country, come.
“This is the place, the biggest, the best, come be a part of that and I’m sure we will have more and more female drivers back in the game and hopefully from the grassroots, some strong ones as well”.
WRC Promoter Senior Director of Sport Peter Thul said: “We were overwhelmed by the high standard of applicants and those assembled here in Poland represent the best of the best.
“This is an incredible once-in-a-lifetime opportunity we are offering to these 15 participants and we expect the next three days to be incredibly tense.”
The three contestants advancing to the next stage and a shot at the Central European Rally in an M-Sport Fiesta Rally3 will be unveiled on Wednesday (18 September) evening.
