10 best Women from Spain racing across 8 Motorsport disciplines is phenomenal number of elite female athletes from one Nation. The diversity of talent, depth of skills, and strength of characters to pursue racing careers at World Championship level confirms all names a place in Spain’s Motorsport history.
Specifically, the tenacity these Women have shown to train and race within and cross disciplines provides clarification on how these women have achieved success on and off track. From securing financial support to race, to overcoming challenges when circumstances change, to planning Championships to enter, to the practicalities of maintaining race fitness, has been taken on board by the best 10 Women riders and drivers from Spain.
If inspiration to fulfill goals needs motivation, hard work and mental fortitude, in changing times, these women have taken the road less travelled to meet racing career expectations. Honing skills on the bike and car in preparation for Rally Championships, Enduro, Hard Enduro has meant competing in Baja World Championships, Trials GP’s and Enduro World Championships.
To make all preparations count for competing in WSBK Championships and Formula racing, Spain’s racers have pushed open doors of opportunity to test, race and compete under Teams support, all vital for the achievement of success on the track. The list of 10 women from Spain, gives anyone sense of inspiration to pursue their respective career goals.
Laia Sanz: 13x FIM Women Trial World Champion, 10x European Women’s Champion, 11x Dakar Rally finisher >2021, currently competing in Extreme E ‘The Electric Odyssey’ with Acciona Sainz XE Team and racing FIM Women Trial World Championship.
Sara Garcia: first Spanish female to finish The Dakar Rally in ‘Unassisted’ Original by Motul class 2x: 2020, 2021> along with 2017 Baja World Champion, 2017-2018 Spanish Rally Champion, 2013-2015 Vespa Raid Champion.
Cristina Gutierrez: first female to win a Stage in The Dakar Rally 2021 SSV category since Jutta Kleinschmidt in 2001> first Spanish female to finish Dakar Rally in car category in 2017- along with completing following 5 Dakar’s. Currently racing Extreme E Series with Lewis Hamilton’s X44 Team.
Ana Carrasco: made history winning 2018 Supersport 300 World Championship within WSBK Series> having made her way through road racing ranks of competing in Moto3, Moto2 and currently competing in 2021 WSBK SSP300 Championship standing 3rd.
Maria Herrara: first female to win a race in 2013 FIM Vespol Series> climbing ranks to compete in Moto3 World Championship in 2015, followed by racing 2018 World Supersport 300 Championship finishing 13th position. In 2019-2021 racing MotoE World Cup along with 2021 WSBK Supersport Championship standing 18th Overall.
Monica Plaza: completed successful co-driver events across all terrain along with Rally Raid, cycling and film stunts with highlight racing The Dakar Rally with her father Manolo Plaza, in Car category 2020>2021.
Marta Garcia: made succession to formula racing from Karting to competing in F4 Spanish Championship in 2016 followed by selection for WSeries in 2019 where she finished 4th Overall. Taking the win at Race 4 at Norisring in the all-female F3 Championship, followed by 2nd Overall in WSeries E Sports in 2020. Currently racing 2021 WSeries.
Belen Garcia: won 2019 F4 Spanish Championship Women’s Trophy progressing to selection for 2021 WSeries. Having developed racing skills through-out Karting, 2021 season kicked off with great results of 4th at Opening WSeries Race at Red Bull Ring, Austria. Also racing Formula Regional European Championship.
Nerea Marti: From Karting, gained podium at 2019 F4 Spanish Championship followed by selection for 2021 WSeries. Debut Opening Race at Red Bull Ring, finished successful 7th place.
Sandra Gomez: competing in Trials GP, Hard Enduro and Extreme Enduro over period of 2007> taking wins in the following: Spanish Women’s Trial Champion in 2011 and 2014, Women’s World Trials Championship from 2008> runner-up in 2016-2018, and first female to complete Red Bull Romaniacs Gold Class in 2020. Currently competing in FIM Women Trial World Championship standing 4th Overall.
Words: Sharon Cox.
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