FIA establishes Women & Motor Sport Commission 28 Apr 2010
Formula One racing’s governing body, the FIA, has established a new commission to promote more participation by women in all aspects of motorsport. The Women & Motor Sport Commission (WMC) held its first meeting on Monday under the Presidency of former world rally-winning driver Michele Mouton.
“The FIA’s membership around the world comprises men and women; each has an identical part to play in sport,” said FIA President Jean Todt. “Like many international federations, we will support, promote and help advance the participation of women in motor sport to ensure equal opportunities at all levels.”
The WMC aims to put in place strategies and policies that will promote education and training, and put into practice actions and events that will strengthen the participation of women in all areas of motor racing.
Mouton, who was the first woman to win a round of the FIA World Rally Championship and who went on to win a total four world championship rallies in the 1980s, commented: “Women already have their place in motor sport; they have proved it. But for many years people have asked me why there have been no women following in my footsteps. I really hope the Commission can help answer that question and that we can attract and support women in all areas of our sport.”
The WMC comprises 19 members representing national motorsport bodies, manufacturers, teams, drivers and the Federation Internationale de Motorcyclisme. Among the drivers is GT1 star Natacha Gachnang, cousin of Toro Rosso F1 racer Sebastien Buemi.
The full statement from the FIA:
Women & Motor Sport Commission
27/04/2010
Following unanimous agreement from the members of the World Motor Sport Council, the FIA has established a new commission to facilitate the full participation of women in all aspects of motor sport. The Women & Motor Sport Commission (WMC) held its first meeting yesterday (26 April) under the Presidency of former world rally winning driver Michele Mouton.
FIA President Jean Todt said: “The FIA’s membership around the world comprises men and women; each has an identical part to play in sport. Like many international federations, we will support, promote and help advance the participation of women in motor sport to ensure equal opportunities at all levels.”
The WMC aims to put in place strategies and policies that will promote education and training, and put into practice actions and events that will strengthen the participation of women in all areas of motor sport. The Commission will work with the FIA’s sporting and non-sporting commissions, ASNs and other key international federations on joint sporting projects. The WMC will also take an active role in international forums and conferences devoted to the place of women in sport, and the advances that can be made.
Michele Mouton, President of the WMC, was the first woman to win a round of the FIA World Rally Championship and went on to win a total four World Championship rallies in the 1980s. The Frenchwoman was Vice World Rally Champion in 1982 and earned respect in a man’s world not only for her driving, but for her personality and passion.
Mouton said: “Women already have their place in motor sport; they have proved it. But for many years people have asked me why there have been no women following in my footsteps. I really hope the Commission can help answer that question and that we can attract and support women in all areas of our sport.”
The Women & Motor Sport Commission comprises 19 members representing the ASNs, manufacturers, teams, drivers and the Federation Internationale de Motorcyclisme.
Michele Mouton, President
Frederique Trouve, FIA Commission Manager
Kady Angelbert, FISAM, Cote d’Ivoire
Banu Baseran, TOSFED, Turkey
Ina Fabry, DMSB, Germany
Henny Hemmes, KNAF, Netherlands
Fabrizia Pons, ACI-CSAI, Italy
Sarka Regnerova, ACCR, Czech Republic
Sue Sanders, MSA, United Kingdom
Mar de Villa, RFEA, Spain
Randa Nabulsi, Middle East representative
TBA, Asia representative
Brigitte Zufferey, Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme
Mr Jaime Puig, SEAT Sport
Cathy Muller, Team Manager
Monisha Kaltenborn, Sauber Group
Natacha Gachnang, GT1 driver
Katherine Legge, Audi DTM driver
Hayley Gallagher, FIA Communications
To view a PDF document containing profiles of the members of the Women & Motor Sport Commission please click here.
