Young Driver: Karen Gaillard is in the race 🎥
FIRST WOMAN AS FINALIST Karen Gaillard impressed in the final elimination for the 2019 Young Driver Challenge. Like two male youngsters, she will soon be allowed to start two races in a Cupra TCR. Our short film reviews the decisive day on the Anneau du Rhin. Ten candidates had competed in two phases against around 1500 registered [...]
Our short film reviews the decisive day on the Anneau du Rhin.
Ten candidates prevailed in two phases against around 1,500 registered participants in the "AutoScout24 and CUPRA Young Driver Challenge 2019". As in the previous year, Karen Gaillard was the only young lady among them. In sweltering heat, they competed in the final two eliminations on the Anneau du Rhin in Alsace. First in the 290-hp Cupra production car, then in the Spanish brand's TCR race touring car.
Success at the second attempt
Several professional racing drivers and instructors, led by event organizer Fredy Barth and DTM driver Nico Müller, assessed the driving skills on four big wheels and the potential for improvement as the number of laps increased. Will Karen now clear this hurdle at the second attempt?
Yes, the Fribourg native, who lives with her parents in Riaz FR, made it to the final round. Mario Anderegg, James Bischof, Damian Hamilton and Nicolas Raeber were her four male rivals in the battle for one of the three starting places for the Young Driver Challenge 2019.
In the eyes of the judges, Karen Gaillard also did everything right in her handling of the 360-hp Cupra TCR - or at least better than two competitors who were eliminated shortly before the finish. Alongside Mario Anderegg (20) from Wald ZH and James Bischof (18) from Staad SG, they chose her as the finalist.
Own gift for 18th birthday
For the first time in three years, a fast young lady will be part of the trio that will experience a race weekend consisting of two rounds of the ADAC TCR Germany with the Topcar Sport team from Uetendorf in a Cupra TCR as a touring car driver.
She thus gave herself an early present for her 18th birthday on Saturday, June 29.
Karen Gaillard: "Am I surprised? Yes, a little bit. Last year it took me longer to get up to speed with the car. Now I was able to set good times right away and improve. I also never got off track, which was probably one reason why I made it."
Thurgau roots
Karen is currently studying to become a health professional at the Ecole Professionnelle Santé-Social in Hauterive. Although she prefers to speak French, her mother tongue would be German, as Mama Gaillard is from Sirnach TG. Her hobby is karting, where she has often proven her speed in the Swiss Kart Championship and in the Vega Trofeo.
Who will race at the Nürburgring (August 17/18), Hockenheimring (September 14/15) and Sachsenring (September 28/29) in the summer depends on Karen's Young Driver colleagues. As the best of the sighting, Mario Anderegg, who is also a national great in ski jumping, gets to choose his preferred track, followed by James Bischof. Karen Gaillard, as the third best finalist, has to take what's left.
First license course, then countdown
First, they will all meet on July 9 and 10 for the license course at the Circuit de Dijon-Prenois in Burgundy. Then the countdown begins to the race premiere of what is once again a promising and interesting third year of the Young Driver Challenge.
The best of the best will be the overall winner and receive a financial sponsorship package for 2020. The main sponsors are AutoScout24 and CUPRA Switzerland, with tire company Hankook co-sponsoring for the first time.
youngdriverchallenge.ch/two-strong-race-cars-and-ten-racing-dreams
facebook.com/karen.gaillard.52
