Founded as groundbreaking project to inspire women in the world of motorsport and beyond, Iron Dames launch their latest program and enter the world of rallying with Sarah Rumeau and co-driver Julie Amblard.
Iron Dames pioneered and revolutionized the concept of all-female teams in motorsport - and now continue to put women to the forefront in the world of motorsport and beyond. Next to their ongoing commitments in WEC, IMSA, ELMS and, more recently, horse jumping, Iron Dames are now set to compete in rallying as well: the pink crew aims for more history making achievements as they will now tackle the world of off road with driver Sarah Rumeau and co-driver Julie Amblard.
"I am extremely pleased to open this new chapter in the exciting world of rallying and to welcome Sarah and Julie to the Iron Dames family", project founder Deborah Mayer said. "After endurance, Formula 4, karting and equestrian sports, the Iron Dames project is continuing its development by giving more and more women the chance to evolve and shine in sports whose beauty is that they compete on equal terms with men."
Iron Dames have now taken on the mission of changing the perception of women's sport through mixed-gender sports such as motor sports and equestrian sports, providing role models and achieving groundbreaking results.
"With their passion and determination to reach the highest level in their discipline, Sarah and Julie embrace the spirit and values of the project", Mayer continued. "We are delighted to benefit from the expertise and know-how of Stéphane Sarrazin and his teams. This guarantees that our drivers will be racing in the best possible conditions. We are all committed to helping them realise their dreams."
The duo is not new to working with each other, as both climbed the ranks of national competitions until the French Women´s Championship title - at Rumeau's debut season after she switched from handball to rallying in 2021. The success story continued in 2022 and 2023 as both entered the French Championship and ADAC Opel e-Rally Cup.
Sarah Rumeau started playing handball at a young age and reached national level before focusing on rally; her driving career started with a successful season in 2021.
"I am so happy to be able to join the Iron Dames project; it is a very important moment in my career, Rumeau commented. "It is an honour and an incredible opportunity to be the first representatives in rallying."
"Now I can't wait to start preparing and getting to know the whole family. Finally, I would like to thank Deborah Mayer for her confidence and support."
Julie Amblard had a more traditional start into the sport, by joining her father as co-driver in 2010 in regional and national rallies. In 2018 she won the FFSA Junior Rally Co-Driver selection to participate in multiple French Championship rallies. She then joined Sarah Rumeau in 2021. Among her experiences, Julie was also a route note car co-driver for Sébastien Ogier in the Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team in 2023.
"I am thrilled to start this new adventure within the Iron Dames family", Amlard said. "They have proved women belong in motorsport with amazing successes in endurance racing. It is therefore a great honour to represent Iron Dames in rallying and to be a part of this journey."
"2024 will be a year of discovery with our new Ford Fiesta Rally2. This is a big challenge, but we are determined to make the Iron Dames shine in our field. This is a big challenge, but we are determined to make the Iron Dames shine in our field." - she added.
Iron Dames are looking forward to a highly competitive new chapter in their innovative movement, as Rumeau and Amlard will enter the French Rally Championship and French Gravel Rally Championship. They will be supported by the Sarrazin Motorsport team, a well-known and established name in the world of rallying.
"I am delighted to be joining this project and very proud to have Deborah Mayer's trust", the French driver with experience of F1, sportscar and rally stated. "I'm also excited to welcome Sarah and Julie, whose development I have watched and whose potential I am well aware of. We will give them all the support they need to reach the highest level."
The Iron Dames' rally adventure will start from the Touquet Pas de Calais rally on March 14-16, as part of the French Rally Championship 2024 calendar.
