Cyndie Allemann ready for Dubai 24H challenge

For the Dubai 24 Hours, the Swiss driver is behind the wheel of a Renault Clio entered by Springbox Concept, with an all female driving squad. After her first few laps, Cyndie shared her impressions.

"I'm discovering everything here: track, team, teammates, car (laughs). My first laps went well. This is my first time driving a front-wheel car and I'm not used to such a small auto. That said, I'm confident for the rest of the event."

It's a good opportunity for me to participate in a 24 Hour race in January.

Cyndie Allemann

"The track is quick and technical," Cyndie continues. "The Clio handles like a go-kart but that's not all bad (laughs). There are a lot of cars on track and it's not something that's easy to manage, especially when you're in a slower class that won't allow you to win overall. It was something that I experienced last June in Le Mans where prototypes pass you on the Mulsanne Straight at crazy speeds. I like that sort of challenge and I think what I saw at the 24 Hours of Le Mans was more complicated to manage."

A ride for the Dubai 24 Hours was a last minute call

"It's a good opportunity for me to participate in a 24 Hour race in January. I always enjoy competing in endurance races and I'm used to an all female squad."

About last season's run with Matech Competition: "It was a pleasure to run in the GT1 World Championship, even if I wasn't able to finish the season. The Ford GT is a great car and it's very different from what I've known so far, since a GT1 has nothing to do with open-wheel racing. I quickly adapted to the car and the GT class.

"It's a nice championship with race cars that fans can easily identify with. I'm sure the concept will work. As for my debut at Le Mans, I have lasting memories of a fantastic race with an incredible atmosphere and a mounting tension that gets bigger as the week progresses."

As for the rest of her 2011 schedule, nothing is finalized yet. "It's still in the works but my program should be confirmed soon. Nothing is set but I'm doing my best to seize the best opportunity. Of course, returning to experience Le Mans would be really great."

Author: Laurent Mercier, Endurance-info.com
English translation: Rainier Ehrhardt