Vanina Ickx signing contract with Head of Audi Motorsport Dr Wolfgang Ullrich

For the first time since 1995, a woman will star in the world’s most popular touring car race series. Belgian born, Vanina Ickx will contest the 2006 DTM in an Audi A4 DTM in the new DTM team run by Dr David Kolles, Managing Director Midland Formula 1.

Vanina is not the first female Audi works driver to give the men a run for their money - Michèle Mouton was the first, and to date, the only woman to win a World Rally Championship round in her Audi quattro, narrowly missing winning the World Championship title in 1982. In the 90’s, Tamara Vidali created quite a stir with her Audi A4 quattro in the Super Touring Car series.

"Michèle Mouton and Tamara Vidali demonstrated that a woman can come out on top in a sport dominated by men. We are convinced that Vanina Ickx possesses all the skills to be just as successful,” said Head of Audi Motorsport Dr Wolfgang Ullrich.

Daughter of former Formula 1 driver and six-time Le Mans winner, Jacky Ickx, Vanina started her career in 1996, at the age of 21. She caught the attention of the public following a class win and podium position at the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps. To date she has competed at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and in the Dakar Rally and narrowly missed winning the Le Mans Endurance Series (LMES) title in an LMP 1 sports car last year.

"I’m absolutely delighted about the prospect of starting for Audi in the DTM,” said Vanina.

Despite her petite figure, the qualified biologist weighs in at a little over 55 kilograms and stands 1.55 metres tall and is anything but timid.

Vanina thrives on speed and competition. She loves to parachute, was the first woman to cross the English Channel in an Ultra-Light plane and holds, at 136 kph, the speed record on skis down a ski jump.

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