Christine GZ, Thibaut Cortois, Dakar…At first glance, the combination arouses interest. And a lot. It is a mix that, due to “things of fate”, will lead the Tenerife native to fulfill her great dream: to participate in the emblematic rally – between January 5 and 19, 2024 -. Apart from being a goalkeeper for Real Madrid and the Belgian national team, Courtois has her own team. It is called TCRacing and, in addition to making its way in F4, it will be present in the Dakar. At the command of a buggy Can-Am, Christine Giampaoli Zonca will cross dunes for the first time in an official competition. The challenge, reaching the goal, because completing such a demanding test “is already winning.” This is said by someone with extensive experience. Among her latest challenges, the Baja 1000 and the Cross-Country World Championship. This time it will be about 8,000 kilometers through the sands of the Saudi Arabian desert. “And it’s just the beginning,” Chris warns.
How did the possibility of participating in the rally Dakar as a member of Courtois’ team, TC Racing?
Let’s say it was all a bit of fate. We met through some mutual friends and we started talking about working together on the project they already had underway for Formula 4 in Spain. The passion for motors united us from the first moment. And that’s how it all came about. Shall we go to Dakar? Come, with TC Racing to the Dakar. And here we are. Ready.
We know Thibaut Courtois’s role as a football player, but not so much as an entrepreneur in the motor world. What has he transmitted to you?
He is very passionate about motor sports and, on top of that, he is very humble and friendly. Apart from all this, he wants to work hard to make the project go ahead. I was very excited to meet you and be able to exchange ideas. Now you just need to become very passionate about it orff-roadand I think it’s something that will happen as soon as I go for a walk.
What does running a Dakar rally mean to you? Did you have it as one of your goals?
It is opportunity, with capital letters. I’ve been trying to go for about seven years. It is a dream, although in recent years it had become a goal. Finally we can be in the Dakar and experience this challenge that is so tough, but surely so rewarding.
How has the preparation been for this competition? What details are taken into account?
Well it’s all been a bit last minute. We have dedicated a lot of effort in recent months to prepare well. This is a very big budget and there are many things to organize and plan before running. To carry out the preparation, I was able to spend a few days in Morocco and Chile with my co-pilot Ricky to learn how to run on dunes, because he had never done it before, and it was literally a dream come true. I fell in love with this experience, so we are really looking forward to arriving in Saudi Arabia and starting the Dakar.
Under what conditions do you participate? With what vehicle, with what companions, supports…?
We participate in the SSV category with a T4, which is a buggy Can-Am. We are in the TC Racing team and we have the technical assistance of FN Speed, which already has many years of experience in this competition.
Do you imagine the Dakar rally very different from other events in which you have already participated?
Everyone has spoken to me very specifically about the Dakar. They have told me how hard it is, the number of hours and days in a row that you spend in the competition, which leaves you very, very tired… In addition, they have told me that 2024 will be the hardest of all. But I am mentally prepared for the challenge. I want to reach the goal. I have the reference of my participations in the Bajas, in Mexico. I think it will be a bit like the Baja 1000, but this time for 15 days in a row.
He commented that he starts with the idea of reaching the goal. Is that the essential challenge in the premiere?
Yes. As I said before, the goal is always to finish. Finishing a Dakar is already winning. But we already know that, at the end of the day, we are pilots and as soon as you put on the helmet, you forget everything, so my co-pilot – the Argentine Ricardo Torlaschi, who has more than ten participations in the Dakar – will have to guide me, and I will surely have to relax in many moments with his stupid, brake.
What will you do after racing the 2024 Dakar? Will you still be linked to the TCRacing team?
We will work together with TC Racing with the F4 team, so yes, we will continue with them as an ambassador and in everything that can be helped by giving my vision and experience within the world of motorsport. With respect to off-roadWe’ll have to see what happens. But I am very sure that, in addition to the circuits, they will love the land.
He has always carried his Tenerife origin with pride. Will he show off his flag at the Dakar?
Completely. Every time they ask where I’m from, I say I’m from the Canary Islands. I love the Islands, especially Tenerife, which is where I grew up. I have a very special bond with the Canary Islands, with Tenerife. Being able to take the Island with me will be a great pride, I am very excited.
What is your assessment of the sporting year that is ending? Are you happy with what you experienced in 2023?
We already know what racing is like: there are continuous ups and downs and, indeed, this year has been a bit like that. But I am convinced that if you work hard, with passion, and fight until the end, you will achieve very good things. In fact, here we are, on the way to the Dakar with the great TCRacing team. And this is just the beginning.
2023-12-17 11:31:56
#Christine #rally #driver #Finishing #Dakar #winning
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