Ekaterina Stratieva in the spotlight 23.09.2012: Intercontinental Rally Challenge, round 11 of 13 Mabanol Sliven Rally, 28-30 September 2012 IRC’s leading female driver hoping to shine in front

Intercontinental Rally Challenge, round 11 of 13

Mabanol Sliven Rally, 28-30 September 2012



IRC’s leading female driver hoping to shine in front of her home fans
 


You start your home round of the IRC on the back of a strong result in Ukraine. How significant was your eighth-place finish there?


“Yalta was a good event for us. And at the end I made my mission to finish more than 3m30s better than I did on the rally last year.”
 


What does it mean to you to be competing in front of your home fans?

“I am really happy because I drive for Bulgaria, for Bulgaria automobile sport and for the Bulgarian fans. But every event is important for me because I learn something new for the future.”
 


How tough are the stages around Sliven?

“The mountains are full with surprises and like in Yalta all the time the drivers will need good concentration and also very good pacenotes. T


here are places that are narrow, others that are very bumpy, some big downhill sections and slippery roads – even fog is possible. But it will be pleasure to push on the stages and I am sure that it will be the same for the other competitors.”
 



What’s your target for this rally?

“I try to go more and more better than before. I believe that one day I will find a big sponsor and with Carmen Poenaru, my co-driver, we will make one full season in the IRC.”
 


Bulgaria is hosting the IRC for the first time. What can fans expect from the Sliven Rally?


“The Bulgarian people are very warm and all the fans will be well received, especially in Sliven, which is the heart of the rallies in Bulgaria. Everybody here is very passionate and they all try their best that everything works out good.”
 


- Richard Rodgers -  photo IRC