Doha: The FIA Women Cross Country Selection programme in Qatar is turning out to be a ‘fantastic experience’ and ‘a big adventure’ for the drivers and co-drivers, says instructor Jutta Kleinschmidt.
The 18 participants were set for some theoretical instructions followed by practical training and navigation practice on the second day of the training programme at Sealine but in the end it turned out to be an enjoyable and a great experience for all of them.
“I think it was a big day for the girls. We started with a good exercise this morning and with the practical training and then in the afternoon the real life started. I think that they realised by now how hard it is. It took much longer that what I expected actually, but I think it was a fantastic experience and we will continue tomorrow very early. I think that it will be a big challenge for them and I think day by day they will learn a lot. We really hope that at the end of the selection they are used to drive in the desert like the way we want them to do. I am very convinced, as they are very active, they love it, it was a big adventure for them,” Kleinschmidt, one of the two instructors at the course said at the end of the second day.
For some of the drivers and co-drivers it was the first time they were tackling the challenging situation of driving in the desert and on sand dunes.
“Today it was a very good experience to send 18 persons in the dunes that they never saw in their life before, so it was very good experience for them and very nice feeling for us. Because, driving in the desert is very difficult. Either you love it or hate and actually all love it. I am very much pleased and of course there are a lot of things to learn and hope to have the time to teach everything to them. But a very good and positive feeling,”’ said Pons, an instructor at the programme.
The day started with theoretical instructions and the training process for the 18 participants.
During the morning session, the participants were divided into driver and co-driver groups, practical training, theory and practice navigation.
In the afternoon, they got the first contact with the terrain with the first stage of the programme followed by practical training of how to change a tyre. At the end of the day the participants were very positive and enjoying the learning experience.
Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) President and FIA Vice-President MENA Nasser Khalifa bin Al Attiyah is very happy with way the participants responded to the desert challenge in a positive way.
“Always the first day is the hardest one, and the girls were a little bit worried ahead of their first experience. Strong start with the navigation and GPS and road book information, it is not easy for the navigation side and also for drivers to deal with this terrain and the dunes, but I think they managed admirably, some of them got lost at the beginning a little bit but after that they started to relax and more focussed.
“I think the second day of training it will be a more tougher programme. For sure they have learnt something. I am sure the whole atmosphere is good and the progress is moving in the right direction.”
For the participants the general impression is very positive and all of them are enjoying the experience. “Today it just been amazing, starting with the morning session. Doing some basic skills on the sand with Jutta, was just a lot of fun, but then going out this afternoon and actually doing the stage, it gave a new appreciation for how disorientating it is when you are out at the desert, and it is so difficult, a different type of motorsport that I have done, but big challenge. It was the first time for me in the desert , the driving was OK, we got stacked in one of the dunes but it was more for the navigation, it is very important for the co-driver, difficult task,” said Emma Gilmour of New Zealand.
The Peninsula
