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Leoni Stiem, a promising young lady on the German rally scene

12 novembre 2011 posted by: Federico Fattori

leoni stiem

Sometimes on holiday you meet some amazing people, like what happened to me a couple of days ago when I met a young German lady, Leoni Stiem, who races in German rallies driving a Ford Puma.

Leoni is extremely promising and equally determined to make her name on the racing scene along with her team, SPEED CAT Racing, which is actually the only women’s team competing in the German championship.
She lives on the shores of the Bodensee and when she’s not racing she makes the best pizza in the northern Alps at her restaurant the Fischerstüble. I’ve tried it so I assure you she’s not kidding.

I asked her a few questions to get to know her a bit better.

How and when did you start to race?

I started racing in 2006 – the first 2 years as navigator and since 2008 as driver.

Can you give us a summary of your race career?

During the first two years I clocked up my first special stage miles and got a lot of experience in the hot seat as co-pilot of a Ford Puma. Then came the chance to swap seats and finally my big dream came true, so I’ve been successfully driving the Ford Puma around Germany since 2008. I spent the first year just getting to know the car and all the situations you get into in a rally because unfortunately there are no training facilities here, just “on-the-job”. By the second year I was already winning my first races, and since then I’ve notched up several class victories and really honed my skills.

How was your championship this year?

I ran in eight rallies with my Speed Cat Racing Team in 2011. Four of them were valid for the German Rallye Mastership, during which I clocked up an incredible mileage, not to mention the experience.
Let’s say the balance of the last racing season was three class victories, three 2nd places, but a couple of failures due to technical problems as well, unfortunately.

What are your goals for the next year?

Keep on proving that women can be fast and kick some men’s butt!

Leoni and her team have won a lot of women’s trophies and championships in their category, so she’s pretty certain to keep her promise.
Good luck for next year Leoni!