womeninmotorsport
PRESS INFO: Annie Seel set to compete in an all-women’s rally event in China
PRESS INFO:
Annie Seel set to compete in an all-women’s rally event in China
Annie Seel says her goal is to inspire more women to experience motorsport.
Swedish rally driver, Annie Seel has always been somewhat of a women’s pioneer in motorsport, accustomed to going head-to-head with the men.
Now, for the first time in her illustrious off-road racing career, she’ll get the chance to compete in an all-women’s event when she lines up for the first ever Gazelles Morocco-China rally. And she can’t wait.
“My passion in life is off-road racing,” she explained.
“I have, for almost 20 years, raced around the world, including eight Dakar rallies on both motorcycles and in cars. Now for the first time I will be part of an all-women’s rally, and also explore a new continent – an adventure and challenge I could not resist.”
Seel will be racing alongside Jeanette James, four-time winner of the Rallye Aicha des Gazelles at this month’s initial promo event for the Gazelles Morocco-China, in Naiman Province, China from Oct 23-26.
Having started her racing career back in 1987, Seel is the only professional driver taking part in this month’s promo event.
Seel brings to the Gazelles Morocco-China plenty of years of experience, and a list of impressive achievements. She’s not only the first woman to have raced both the Dakar Rally and the Baja 1000 on a motorcycle and in a car – not many men can make that claim – she also set a world altitude record by riding a motorcycle beyond base camp and up to 5305m on Mount Everest.
All those skills will be put to the test in the Ke’erquin Desert.
There, 10 teams featuring drivers from 12 different countries will be armed simply with a map, pencil and compass and have to plot their way across the course to reach as many checkpoints as possible and cover as few kilometres in the process.
While that will certainly provide a challenge, Seel is accustomed to taking on seemingly insurmountable tasks.
“When I finished my first ever Dakar rally back in 2002, it was my biggest achievement standing on the podium at Lac Rose. I had overcome so much, including a fractured wrist, mechanical problems, rainstorms and fever – but I still reached the finish line. I felt I was reborn as a super hero.”
But the Gazelles Morocco-China is going to offer the 51-year-old Swede something she hasn’t experienced before.
“I have never raced there before. I imagine a vast landscape and almost endless scenery. I think the scenery will be spectacular, and to meet the culture of the East will be a fantastic experience.”
An instructor and motivational speaker as well as a professional driver, Seel is also on another mission.
“My goal is to inspire more women to experience motorsport. I organise the only women’s rally school, and have also invited new women who are beginners as my co-drivers in different events during the years.”
INFO GAZELLE RALLY CHINA:
Gazelle Rally China is an offshoot of the famous Rallye Aicha des Gazelle, which has taken place in Morocco since 1990. To celebrate the event’s 30th Anniversary – the rally will offer a new challenge in the gruelling Naiman Desert, China.
An initial promotional event will be held in China from 23-26 October 2019, as a taster for the full Gazelle Rally China, which is scheduled for August 2020.
A total of 10 teams with drivers from 12 different countries, will tackle the three-day event, putting their skills to the ultimat in the Naiman Desert.
Annie Seel is the only driver representing Sweden and Scandinavia, but she will be in good company teaming up with the four-time winner Jeannette James from France.
One of the categories in China will include electric cars, while the Gazelle rallies are the only motorsport events in the world with International ISO 14001:2015 certificate which guarantees that organisers have implemented an Environmental Manage System (EMS).
Organizer of the event is Maienga Sports Event agency, specialized in adventure sports. (www.maienga.com)
Promotor of the event is Mitime Sports which also operates golf’s Volvo China Open and the China Formula Grand Prix. (www.mitimegroup.com)
Official website of Aicha des Gazelles Rallye Morocco: www.rallyeaichadesgazelles.com
Official website of Annie Seel: http://www.annieseel.com
Helin-Seel finished 10th in class, Saaremaa Rally Estonia
Super happy to finish 10th in our class (out of 34 cars) after a tough and challenging rally!
We were the only historic rally car, and the black Opel Ascona A 1975 gave the modern cars a good fight. Out of almost 160 competitors, we proudly finished 60th overall.
Stefan Helin and I had a clean drive, and no real mechanical issues. Team mechanic LP served us perfectly.
Thanks to Helins Motorsport, I love to be part of the team. We have fun and do great results!
Thanks to Saaremaa Rally, very friendly and well organised.
Saluki Motorsport takes a first in class and 6th general in the Emirates Desert Championship
Mark Powell of Saluki Motorsport and Annie Seel teamed up again for the Emirates Desert Championship.
A foggy morning delayed the start of the race but as the sun climbed the visibility cleared. The first lap had to be driven carefully. The course was very technical in small sharp dunes with drops and steps, and suited the smaller buggies perfectly. The big green beast of Saluki Motorsport had a new gearbox put in since last race in October where it ceased just before the finish line, and was only out for shake down.
Overall winner was Khalid Al Jafla in a Can-Am turbo buggy.
Mark and Annie took a first in class and sixth overall.
Annie in Mercedes-Benz magazine
Wow! I’m interviewed in the Mercedes-Benz magazine Sweden!
I used to own a black Mercedes… sold it to afford my racing.
Now I’m in the Mercedes magazine because of my racing.
Annie joins team Saluki Motorsport in the Emirates Desert Championship
Annie Seel is teaming up with Mark Powell of Saluki Motorsport this weekend’s for the first round of the 2017-2018 Emirates Desert Championship in Dubai.
On the starting line the team will enter a total of five vehicles.
Coming up – Dubai International Baja rally 9-11 March. Let’s blast the desert.
Next rally for me and team Saluki Motorsport is coming up this week.. The Dubai International Baja!
I’m co-driving for Matt Telling in a Nissan Patrol, in class T2 Auto.
The Dubai International Baja rally is one of the rounds of the FIA World Cup championships.
http://www.salukimotorsport.com
http://www.dubaiinternationalrally.com
Winter coaching new drivers Only Women’s training course
Coaching happy new race drivers in winter conditions at Only Women’s training course. Great track and weather conditions. All drivers graduated
More women in Motorsport, now ready to race!
Annie Seel åter på startlinjen i Emirates Desert Championship
PRESSMEDDELANDE
Annie Seel åter på startlinjen i Emirates Desert Championship.
Dubai, 8 Nov 2016
Nu på fredag 11 november är det dags för deltävling två i Emirates Desert Championship. Och det är dags igen för Annie Seel att tävla i ökenrally. Hon har fått förnyat förtroende av Saluki Motorsport att köra i deras team. I första deltävlingen körde Seel en Ssangyong Musso och lyckades ta en tredjeplats i bilklassen trots lite tekniska problem.
Denna gång kommer hon att köra en Polaris RZR i buggyklassen.
– Jag är så glad att få komma hit igen. Teamet tyckte jag gjorde ett bra jobb förra gången, och erbjöd mig nu att testa deras Polaris som de håller på att utveckla. Jag har en del erfarenhet i en Polaris från Merzouga rallyt och Dakar 2014, men jag har inte åkt den här versionen som är lättare och mer sprintpreppad, berättar en förväntansfull Annie Seel.
Buggyklassen är största klassen vilket kommer att innebära ett större motstånd. Värsta motståndaren kommer från egna teamet, där Salukis teamchef Mark Powell själv vann förra tävlingen. Men en annan toppförare i Polaris är sugen på revansch då han rullade i premiärrundan. De flesta kör utan kartläsare i sin buggy för att spara vikt, vilket Seel också kommer göra nu.
– Det ska bli kul att få testa att köra en ny klass. Jag var imponerad av hur Mark flög över sanddynerna i sin Yamaha buggy förra tävlingen. Mitt mål är att lära mig av honom, och kanske lyckas hänga på om det går. Dock, den Polaris jag kommer köra har inte den värsta fjädringen, så jag kan inte hålla full fart eller hänga med toppförarna, förklarar Annie Seel vidare.
Saluki Motorsport är baserade i Dubai och är specialiserade på att bygga och anpassa tävlingsbilar för ökenrally. Teamchefen Mark Powell har många års erfarenhet som bilbyggare och förare. Dessutom har han en 23e plats i Dakar 2015 som codriver åt polske Marek Dabrowski.
– För oss är det en tillgång att ha förare med Dakarrutin i vårt team. Annies mentalitet att alltid lösa problem är viktigt när man ska utveckla och testa bilar. Hon ser även små detaljer som kan vara de avgörande svaga punkterna. Det är den erfarenheten man får under långlopp som Dakarrallyt, menar Mark Powell.
Mer information:
http://www.salukimotorsport.com
http://www.emiratesdesertchampionship.ae
Annie Seel - Rally Princess of Dakar 