These four ladies are changing the face of Croatian autosport: ‘The audience is surprised that there are women under the helmet’

Autosport, adrenaline, speed, challenge – words that have always evoked the image of men behind the wheel. But it is time to change that image. More and more women are bravely entering the world of this dynamic sport, breaking down stereotypes and opening new doors for future generations. Ahead of us is the conference “Women behind the sports wheel – prejudice or the future?” which will be held at The Westin hotel in Zagreb, on Saturday, October 5, starting at 11 a.m., according to the announcement sent by the Croatian Auto and Karting Association.

– This event is not just a conference – it is an invitation to women to dare, to dream and to follow what they really love. The Croatian Auto and Karting Association, the organizer of the conference, wanted to enable female drivers of all profiles to join this industry, which encompasses much more than just driving skills. The conference also included four incredible women, drivers who now they are writing the history of motorsport in Croatia. Their stories testify to perseverance, love for cars and skill that destroys all prejudices. Dora Ravenščak, Karla Švec, Stella Bride i Tamara Sudarević Kos each pushing the boundaries in their own way, bringing their personal struggles and victories to the race tracks.

To date, Dora has competed in 58 rally races, of which there are four appearances at the World Rally Championship, 6 races at the European Rally Championship, the title of Croatian champion as a passenger. group S from 2019 and bronze in the Fiesta Rally3 Trophy in 2024.

Photo: Filip Popović

– In October, my last performance awaits me in Poland, where the last race of the European Championship is held and where I will fight for silver in the ERC3 category! – revealed Dora.

Karla started karting at the age of nine, and now, in her first autosport season, she feels that she has finally realized her dream:

– My passion for autosport shapes my identity and fills me with happiness and satisfaction. Although I am aware of the fact that there are many stereotypes and challenges in this sport, I choose to focus exclusively on my own progress! – she said.

Photo: Filip Popović

– Karla is currently competing in auto slalom and super slalom, she competes with a Peugeot 106 1.6 GTI in class 5. This is her first season in motor racing, and more achieved significant results. He is currently in 3rd place in the overall ranking of drivers for the Croatian Championship in auto slalom, while in the Zagreb Open Championship he is in 2nd place in the overall ranking of drivers.

“For me, motorsport is not a man’s sport”, he told us, “it is a world of skill, passion and dedication, where gender is not an obstacle, but additional motivation for success!” – says Tamara, who is olderć 20 years on the race tracks, and adds with a smile that today her talent is finally recognized and appreciated. Her passion for driving, which was born from her love of adrenaline and family weekends spent at race tracks, shows that persistence and dedication really pay off.

Photo: Filip Popović

– The audience is often in awe when I take off my helmet and see the woman. That’s why, my dears, come to this conference. No one prevents us from achieving our dreams! – said Tamara, who today is the current runner-up in the A10 discipline – acceleration races and drives a 600-horsepower car, which is one of the fastest front-wheel drive cars at races in Croatia. She is the only woman in that discipline.

Stella’s racing career began shamefully by volunteering at the WRC, and now the doors of autosport are wide open for her. Now, he says, he is in his own world.

Photo: Filip Popović

– When I sit behind the wheel, I feel enormous pride, I managed to achieve what I wanted. I am especially overjoyed when I see my family, who cheer me on in everything. She would like everyone to be able to experience that feeling – Stella is honest, and when all the pieces fell into place, she finally entered the rally water as a passenger. Međimurje rally was the first one where she experienced what it’s like to be in the right seat and what kind of responsibility you have to have. Her career will develop more and more in the direction of passenger, they write from HAKS.

These three women are the voice and future of motorsport in Croatia. Their stories inspire, motivate and serve as a model for all women, wherever they are, regardless of age or experience, to try this incredible sport. Because, as Tamara says: “If there are us, no one will be surprised when we take off our helmets!”