Le Mans 24 Hours event debutant and Iron Dames driver Celia Martin opened up about her first-hand experience in this year’s 93rd edition.
Iron Dames driver Celia Martin drove for the programme in the Le Mans Cup’s ‘Road to Le Mans’ support package last year, in a Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2 with Karen Gaillard.
This year, as an FIA World Endurance Championship season debutant, she took on the main event in the Manthey-run #85 Porsche 911 LMGT3.R with Sarah Bovy and Rahel Frey.
On the Le Mans test day, the #85 Porsche dropped on Michelle Gatting‘s right foot during pit stop practice, during which driver changes are rehearsed in preparation for the main race.
After she suffered a fractured foot, Bovy stepped in to replace Gatting, who entered the Iron Dames’ six Le Mans starts beforehand with Frey.
Martin reflected emotionally after her maiden start:
“Michi, I was not expecting to race without you […] I was looking forward to it.
“I was very sad, but then I was very happy to have Sarah racing here. Honestly, the girls did amazing. I drove a bit more than expected.
“I was racing for the first time, so I really saw what this race was [and] have even more respect, and I’m even more proud to be a part of it and to have made it to the finish line and to have done this first adventure for me with these girls.”
Iron Dames potential hampered by gearbox issues
The Iron Dames ran promisingly within the top five during the opening four hours of the race, having climbed from the rear of the grid.
Despite keeping themselves towards the higher end of the LMGT3 category, they showed potential but were hampered by gear-shifting issues in the 15th hour.
This prompted repairs in the garage, before returning and finishing the gruelling race at 4 pm on Sunday, 15 June, albeit seven laps down on the winning Manthey Porsche.
Even so, the Iron Dames beat the eight LMGT3 entrants – out of the 24 which started the race – to the checkered flag.
“It’s not how we wanted to finish, but that’s racing,” added Bovy.
“24 Hours of Le Mans; it’s part of the game, and I think we can be very proud.
“With Iron Dames, I think so far I’ve finished every single participation, always crossing the line because we never give up.
“I’m super proud of both my team-mates and the entire team.
“It was an absolute honour to join you for this race.
“Michi, you know we love you, and she was with us the entire time supporting us, but we still missed her.”
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