In this interview, I sit down with Nicole Willems, Team Manager of the first and only all-female racing team to compete in endurance racing. The team has a successful first year with four podium finishes and taking home the trophy for the 2019 SP3T Class Championship. The Giti Angels were poised for a strong 2020 when the Coronavirus Pandemic struck, ending all motorsports globally. This interview was conducted before the season was canceled.
To keep the team active Willems signed up drivers Carrie Schreiner and Celia Martin for the Digital Nürburgring Endurance Series in a virtual Giti liveried Audi RS3 LMS TCR. The team finished a respectable 10th in the TCR Class in the three-hour endurance race. The WS Racing simulator, supplied by the Nürburgring eSports Lounge was fitted with cameras that live-streamed Carrie and Celia throughout the race, which you can watch HERE. The following are edited excerpts from my conversation with Nicole Willems.
Michael Satterfield: The team has a lot of major races coming up, what are the chances of the team bringing home a victory?
Nicole Willems: We think that we have a good chance to bring home a victory in 2020. During the season 2019, we achieved three second and one first position in the VLN. Besides a new driver line-up with we have now one-year experience as the Girls Only team.
Michael Satterfield: The team is all-female, including drivers, crew, management, and technical support?
Nicole Willems: Yes, the team is a complete female team. Only during the 24h race, we get male support by our Grid Boys.
Michael Satterfield: Grid Boys, that's awesome, I guess if there are Grid Girls, there has to be Grid Boys. Has operating as an all-female team been more challenging than anticipated?
Nicole Willems: No, exactly the opposite is the case. During the casting phase, we had a lot of volunteers and we never experienced anything like discrimination. During our first season as the Girls Only team, we received unbelievable positive feedback from many, many people. The support of our fanbase was incredibly high and we are very proud of this great support. It was in the interest of every team member to prove the skills of the Girls Only team in this male-dominated sport.
Michael Satterfield: 2019 was your first season and you won best in class at the Nürburgring VLN Race tournament? How have you built on that success going into the 2020 season?
Nicole Willems: The team was the basis for the success in 2019 and therefore the development of the team is one key success factor for this season.
Michael Satterfield: What changes did you make for 2020?
Nicole Willems: We have beside Carrie Schreiner with Laura Kraihamer and Célia Martin two new drivers inside our team. For 2020 we have a brand new livery for our racing car. We improved with the suspension, brakes and some other components.
Michael Satterfield: A lot of race teams describe themselves as being like a family, did most of the team members know each other before the Giti Angles were formed? How does the team get along?
Nicole Willems: The team members and the driver were recruited during an online casting. After the final assessment, we had an initial team building. But the team had really become a team during the season 2019 with all the different challenges. Some of them already make holidays together.
Michael Satterfield: What is the mission of the Giti Angels? What’s next?
Nicole Willems: We want to stick to our successful season end and to keep this success for the new season. For the 24h race, we want to stay at the track for 24h and to see the checkered flag.
For more on Giti Angels visit www.corp.giti.com.
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