Short Description
Claire Schonborn wins a fully funded drive in the Junior World Rally Championship after competing in the Beyond Rally Women’s Driver Development Programme, showcasing her talent at Rally Sweden.
Read Time
Approximately 3 minutes and 30 seconds.
Main Article
In an exciting turn of events, German driver Claire Schonborn has secured a fully funded drive in the Junior World Rally Championship (JWRC). This achievement follows her impressive performance at Rally Sweden, where she triumphed in the Beyond Rally Women’s Driver Development Programme shootout. The initiative was an extensive global search aimed at discovering emerging female talent in rally racing, culminating in a fierce competition in Sweden.
Claire Schonborn, alongside two other finalists, Lyssia Baudet from Belgium and Suvi Jyrkiainen from Finland, faced off in challenging conditions at the Central European Rally last October, each driving a JWRC-spec Ford Fiesta Rally3. After a rigorous evaluation, the jury found it difficult to distinguish between Schonborn and Baudet, which led to the ultimate shootout on the snow-covered stages of Sweden. With her background as a hillclimb racer, Schonborn adapted swiftly, finishing seventh in the JWRC class, a remarkable feat considering it was her first experience driving on snow and her subsequent lead over Baudet by nearly three minutes.
Despite facing technical challenges like an intercom failure during her opening stage, Schonborn remained unfazed. She expressed her disbelief at her success, emphasizing the competitive nature of the event until the very last moment. “It was a big pleasure to be part of Rally Sweden… the main goal was to finish without any damage, and now the hard work starts,” she stated, highlighting her determination for the upcoming races.
Looking ahead, Schonborn and co-driver Jara Hain are set to prepare for their first gravel rally in Portugal from May 15-18. Schonborn acknowledges the steep learning curve, admitting she has minimal experience on gravel; "I have never really driven on gravel before… that is a new challenge I have and I can’t wait," she added enthusiastically. With subsequent rallies in Greece, Finland, and Central Europe on the horizon, the duo aims to make their mark in the JWRC series this season.
Short Summary
Claire Schonborn’s victory in the Beyond Rally Women’s Driver Development Programme, culminating at Rally Sweden, has earned her a spot in the Junior World Rally Championship. Her journey underscores the potential and talent within the realm of women’s motorsport, paving the way for future competitors. As she prepares for upcoming gravel rally challenges, the motorsport community eagerly anticipates her progress.
