The Caluirarde team at the Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles
What is the Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles?
The Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles is a 100% all-women's rally, involving women aged between 18 and 71, which takes place in the Moroccan desert. The rally embodies many values, including tolerance, solidarity, perseverance and sharing. We are very proud to sponsor a team, the caluirarde team.
They arrived...
Our two Caluirarde Gazelles, Sandrine and Stéphanie, finished the 32nd Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles in style. On 18 March, our Gazelles crossed the finish line on the beach at Essaouira in Morocco. After several hundred kilometres and 6 stages covered in 7 days across the dunes of the Moroccan desert, Team 216 was reunited with its loved ones on this magnificent beach. Together, they celebrated this timeless human adventure with festive hearts. Well done to them for their journey, it takes courage and daring to take part in this experience, and they rose to the challenge with flying colours. No podium for our Gazelles, but plenty of memories...
In this interview, we'd like to introduce you to Stéphanie and Sandrine, the Caluirarde team:
Who are you? Why did you want to take part in the Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles?
Sandrine: "I'm a 36-year-old mother of 3 children (Nathan aged 8 and a half, Lucas aged 7 and Quentin aged 4). I manage all the administrative side of my husband's business, and we both run a second company. Taking part in the Rallye is all about pushing yourself to the limit, really seeing what you can do. And to be able to show that even as a woman and a mother you can do it, and that you can get your hands dirty just like the men. To be able to face my fears by leaving my comfort zone, my landmarks, my balance, which is my family. Discovering a completely unknown landscape, with all its differences in heat and relief.
Stéphanie:" 40 years old and mum of Laura, aged 3, entrepreneur in the events sector. Sportswoman (tennis, etc.). In love with Morocco and the desert, I've always dreamed of taking part in the Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles. I hate monotony and boredom, I'm always in action, looking for adrenalin and ready to take on challenges and risks. I'm scared, of course, but that little bit of madness inside me always pushes me to surpass myself."
Have you ever taken part in this kind of event before?
Sandrine: "No, this will be a first for me. Just like discovering the Moroccan desert.
Stéphanie: "It'll be a first for me too.
Tell us about a typical day of Preparation for a Rally like this...
Sandrine and Stéphanie: "What you need to know is that we live like gazelles all day long, because we eat like gazelles, we sleep like gazelles... That's all we talk about! It's all we talk about!From morning to night, we chat with Stéphanie when we're not spending the day together. Either because we have some ideas or because we have some feedback on potential sponsors. Some days, the morning after dropping the children off at school, we go looking for companies or shops to find sponsors or prizes for the winners of our events. Immediately afterwards, we send out our sponsorship application. We reply to emails, post the good news we've received that day on our social networks, pick up the prizes prepared for us by the shopkeepers, contact our friends and family to sell our raffle tickets, organise our events (we have to think of everything!)... make appointments... Our days and evenings are packed!
What did you want to achieve with this project?
Sandrine: "I want to discover more about myself, that mysterious part of me, because I've never had the opportunity to take part in such a challenge. I want to show people my determination and prove that if you really want something and put in the effort, you can achieve it.
Stéphanie: "Looking for adrenalin, taking on a new challenge, the call of the desert!
What are your goals after signing up for the Rally?
Sandrine: "We're lucky enough to have the same objective, which is to finish the race and not give up.
Stéphanie: "And to have fun!
Who is the Caluirard Gazelles team? Tell us about you and how you met...
Sandrine: "We've known each other for 16 years, because we're sisters-in-law.
Stéphanie: "We'll be alternating between driving and co-driving the 4X4. We're both good friends and go-getters, so we'll stop at nothing and support each other through the tough times.
What are your core values?
Sandrine: "One of my main values would be helping others. I like helping out and looking after other people. That's why I wanted to be a nurse... It's something I can't wait to do, because I know I'm going to experience it during the Aicha des Gazelles rally. I think that's what really stands out in the testimonials and videos. There's a certain complicity and solidarity between the girls and that's something that moves me. The second would be my generosity. Taking part in the Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles allows us to support the Cœur de Gazelles association. Every year, it helps a lot of local people."
Stéphanie: "They are mainly humanistic: sharing, exchange, conviviality, solidarity, tolerance and curiosity. Other people and their well-being are at the heart of my life."
What will Carross bring to this wonderful adventure?
Sandrine and Stéphanie: "Financial support and visibility thanks to its high profile. An exchange of shared values: promoting self-improvement and defending the place of women in motor sport".
When you think of your Carross sponsor, do you have a phrase to remember?
Sandrine and Stéphanie: "The special charm of bodywork!
