This weekend Ramona and Miriam made their gravel premiere with their Skoda Fabia WRC, in the third round of the Swedish Championships; “South Swedish Rally”. Their lack of gravel routine with their new WRC car did not affect the girls speed at all. From first stage they were fighting for top times. After the first day and seven stages, Ramona and Miram were in third place in the Swedish Championships top class. And it was a tough and close fight, with 1,5 seconds up to 2:nd place and close behind Ramona and Miriam were the 18:th Swedish Champion Mats Jonsson, 2,8 seconds behind. It was going to be a exhiting Final day.
But at the Final day it started with trouble for Ramona and Miriam. With brake problems and a puncture at the first stages, they lost over a minute, and dropped to 5th place . ”It was a very sad start of the day. But in rally you learn to never give up!” Ramona says. And the girls definately did not give up. The following two stages they sat fastest stage times, and they came closer and closer to the top. Before last stage, Ramona and Miriam were only 3 seconds after Eddie Hörbing that was in 1st place with his Ford Focus WRC. Hasse Gustafsson were close behind, only 2 seconds. Last stage should be critical. ”We decided to drive tactic. On the first round we were faster than both Hasse and Eddie, and this round the road had become very rough. We decided to try to drive with same attack as last time, and to not take any risks. We really wanted to secure this podium place” Ramona says. Ramona and Miriam ended up with third stage time, and with both Eddie and Hasse in front of them. Ramona and Miriam ended at third place in the Swedish Championships top class, only 0,6 seconds from 2:nd place. ”Of course it felt a bit frustrating to be that close to the top, but we are very satisfied with a podium place in the first gravel competition with our Skoda Fabia WRC. This looks very positive for the remaining season!” Ramona and Miriam says. The girls also made a historic result, and are the first women to take a podium place in Swedish Championships top class. Ramona and Miriam is now on a total 3rd place in the Swedish Championship, with three remaining competitions.