FIA supports young female racers with karting trophy

Filed under: Motorsports

2011 CIK-FIA Karting Academy Trophy

CIK-FIA’s nine finalists (above) and contest winner (below right) – Click for high-res image gallery

Women in racing are few and far between. Sure, a smattering of notable names comes to mind – like Danica Patrick, Sabine Schmitz and Susie Stoddart – but in this male-dominated sport, they’re the exception. The FIA is taking steps to fix that, however.

2011 CIK-FIA Karting Academy TrophyTwo of the regulatory body’s organs – the Women & Motor Sport Commission and the Commission Internationale de Karting (CIK-FIA) – teamed up to award the most outstanding young female talent a helping hand. They held a shootout among nine candidates, all below the age of 16, who were tested for their physical and mental capabilities over the course of two days in Geneva before pitting them against each other in a track competition.

At the end of the process, the jury – consisting of commission president Michèle Mouton (a former WRC runner-up); two-time WTCC champ Yvan Muller and his karting-champion sister Cathy; and CIK-FIA executive secretary Vincent Caro – selected Lucile Cypriano, 15, of France. As a result, she’ll receive a fully funded ride in the 2011 CIK-FIA Karting Academy Trophy, where she’ll face off against 50 contenders, each representing a different country, on her climb up the motorsport ladder. Follow the jump for the full press release.

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FIA supports young female racers with karting trophy originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 07 May 2011 14:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jeep and Tommy Hafey both 70 years young

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Jeep, Australia, Celebrities

2011 wrangler tommy hafey 70th anniversary commercial

Jeep 70 year anniversary commercial – Click above to watch the video after the jump

Jeep is celebrating its 70 year anniversary this year, and the festivities won’t be relegated to these United States. The off-road capable brand is celebrating its milestone anniversary in Australia with the help of 79-year-old Australian rules football legend Tommy Hafey.

The retired football star is also a very motivated exercise aficionado with a can-do spirit; attributes Jeep marketing types are hoping translates well to the brand’s “Don’t Hold Back” mantra. Hit the jump to watch the one-minute ad.

Hafey may be 79, but the commercial shows that he can likely kick some serious butt if the need ever arose. After all, the man appears to have more energy than most men half his age, and it’s not like he’s famous for his knitting skills. Jeep is hoping utility buyers will see the ad and think that Hafey’s Wrangler is almost as tough.

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Jeep and Tommy Hafey both 70 years young originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 May 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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