Female Power has a Proud Tradition at Audi

When the new DTM season opens on April 9th, this date will mark the first time in the most popular international touring car series’ history for two females – Audi factory driver Vanina Ickx and Susie Stoddart – to be starting from the grid. At Audi Sport, “female power” has a proud tradition because Vanina Ickx will be following in the footsteps of Michèle Mouton and Tamara Vidali.

Both caused a stir as Audi works drivers and affirmed their place in the male-dominated world of motorsport. When Audi entered the World Rally Championship with the original quattro, Michèle Mouton was the absolute sensation. In 1981 Mouton, who is now 54, was the first ever female to win a WRC round. In 1982 the high-spirited French lady, who was nicknamed “The Volcano,” barely missed clinching the World Championship title.

In the late nineties, Tamara Vidali stirred up the male community in Super Touring Car racing. With the Audi A4 quattro, the Italian managed to claim several podium places before fully concentrating on her career as an architect.

This year sees Vidali making a comeback in Italy at the wheel of an Audi RS4. Whereas for the 39-year old Italian motorsport today is merely a hobby, Vanina Ickx (31) aims to establish herself in the DTM. At the wheel of the A4 DTM, the Belgian, who is currently watching the debut of the Audi R10 TDI at Sebring (USA), wants to prove that her exploits in sportscar racing were by no means accidental.