The Fastest female driver, Michèle Mouton
Michèle Mouton, born on June 23, 1951, is a remarkable French former rally driver who left an indelible mark on the world of motorsport. Let’s delve into her captivating journey:
- Early Life and Career:
- Michèle was born in Grasse, a town nestled on the French Riviera, surrounded by the very mountain stages that would later feature prominently in French rallies.
- Her parents cultivated roses and jasmine on their expansive property.
- Although she initially studied law, Michèle’s true passion lay in rallying. She began driving her father’s Citroën 2CV at the tender age of 14.
- In 1972, her friend Jean Taibi invited her to practice the Tour de Corse, sparking her love affair with rally racing.
- Rise to Prominence:
- Michèle transitioned from co-driver to driver, steering an Alpine-Renault A110 in national rallies.
- In 1975, she ventured into circuit racing and triumphed in the two-liter prototype class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
- Signed by Fiat France in 1977, she finished runner-up to Bernard Darniche in the European Rally Championship.
- Notably, she won the 1978 Tour de France Automobile and consistently performed well in her home events within the World Rally Championship (WRC).
- Audi Quattro Era:
- In 1981, Audi Sport enlisted Michèle to partner with Hannu Mikkola.
- Driving the groundbreaking Audi Quattro, she secured a surprise victory at the Rallye Sanremo.
- The 1982 WRC season saw her finish a close second overall to Walter Röhrl, with wins in Portugal, Brazil, and Greece. Audi also clinched its first manufacturers’ title.
- Pioneering Achievements:
- Michèle’s participation became part-time due to Audi’s roster of top drivers in 1984.
- In 1985, she conquered the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in the United States, setting a record time.
- The following year, she joined Peugeot and became the first female driver to win a major championship in rallying by securing the German Rally Championship.
- Unfortunately, the ban on Group B supercars led her to retire from rallying.
- Legacy and Beyond:
- In memory of her former rival Henri Toivonen, Michèle co-founded the international motorsport event Race of Champions in 1988.
- She became the first president of the FIA’s Women & Motor Sport Commission in 2010 and later managed the World Rally Championship in 2011.
Michèle Mouton’s journey defied gender stereotypes, leaving an enduring legacy in the annals of motorsport history. 🏁🚗💨
Learn more about her remarkable life and career in the Sky Original documentary titled “Queen of Speed”1. Also, check out the BBC program on Group B rallying during the 1980s for further insights2.
wait so what is group b rallying?
Group B rallying was an electrifying and short-lived era in the world of motorsport during the 1980s. Here are the key highlights:
- Birth of Group B:
- In the late 1970s, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) introduced a new set of regulations for rally cars, known as Group B.
- These regulations aimed to encourage innovation, speed, and spectacle, resulting in some of the most powerful and iconic rally cars ever built.
- Wildly Powerful Cars:
- Group B cars were unrestricted in terms of engine power and weight.
- Manufacturers pushed the boundaries, creating machines with outrageous horsepower, lightweight bodies, and advanced aerodynamics.
- These cars could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just a few seconds, making them true beasts on both tarmac and gravel.
- Legendary Cars:
- Some of the most famous Group B cars included:
- Audi Quattro: The first all-wheel-drive rally car that revolutionized the sport.
- Lancia Delta S4: A mid-engine, turbocharged monster.
- Peugeot 205 T16: A compact rocket with incredible agility.
- Ford RS200: A futuristic-looking machine with a mid-mounted engine.
- MG Metro 6R4: A tiny hatchback packing a V6 engine.
- Some of the most famous Group B cars included:
- Intense Competition:
- Group B rallies witnessed fierce battles between manufacturers and drivers.
- Spectators flocked to stages to witness the raw power and daring maneuvers of these cars.
- The rivalry between Audi and Lancia, epitomized by Michèle Mouton and Walter Röhrl, remains legendary.
- Tragic End:
- Despite the excitement, Group B had a dark side.
- The combination of extreme power, lightweight construction, and challenging rally conditions led to several fatal accidents.
- In 1986, after a series of tragic incidents, the FIA disbanded Group B, ending an era that had forever changed rally racing.
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