martedì 25 febbraio 2014

THE AÏCHA DES GAZELLES RALLY: 13 WOMEN FROM THE RENAULT GROUP TAKE ON THE DESERT

 
* On March 15, seven women@renault teams will set out from the Place du Trocadéro in Paris (France) behind the wheel of Dacia Dusters to take part in this year’s Aïcha des Gazelles Rally. * Thirteen “Gazelles” – all employees of the Renault Group – will compete in the crossover category and the 4x4 category.
* To follow the results, impressions and anecdotes of Renault’s “Gazelles”, log on to the Vent de sable (“sandstorm”) blog: http://gazelles-womenrenault.com/blog/?lang=fr.

 
Inaugurated in 1990, the Aïcha des Gazelles Rally is the only international rally raid for women only. Every year, the rally attracts 320 contestants (160 teams) to the Moroccan desert for an orienteering race that showcases endurance, ingenuity and mutual assistance. At the finish line, the “gazelles” will be judged not on speed but on mileage – and indirectly on carbon emissions.

 
By entering Renault in this demanding event, we are giving thirteen of our employees an opportunity to demonstrate the qualities of Duster in extreme driving conditions, and the values of excellence and team spirit that we want to promote in the company through the women@renault plan to promote a gender mix,” explains Claire Martin, Director of Renault Corporate Social Responsibility and a member of the ethnics committee of the Aïcha des Gazelles Rally.
 
RIGOROUS PREPARATION BASED ON SOLIDARITY
Thirteen Renault employees have been selected for the crossover section of this year’s rally, which will take place over nine days from March 19 through 27. Of the 130 initial volunteers, 50 applicants were shortlisted by an in-house panel in November. Those 25 two-member teams from all over the world then vied to be one of the selected teams!
From November 22 to 24, they took part in a selection weekend. Their physical and mental capacities were put to the test: sporting talent, tenacity and determination, resilience, bravery, solidarity … as well as joint decision-making, stress management, and a tactical approach to the terrain. They were all coached by Karine Baillet, the multisport race champion: physical exercises (bodybuilding, running, orienteering, etc.), motor maintenance (checking water and oil levels, etc.), an obstacle course, and psychological workshops.
Proud to represent their company at the rally, the Gazelles are a source of inspiration for the women and the men who work at the group. The experience, which encourages the personal and professional development of our female employees, is in line with the women@renault plan to promote a gender mix in the company. With a social network of 4,000 members across 13 countries, as well as a human resources component, with targets in terms of the percentage of women in the workforce and advancement of women, the plan has already delivered concrete results.

 
DACIA DUSTERS SPECIALLY PREPPED FOR DESERT CONDITIONS
The aim of the rally is to clock up the least miles possible between two points on different terrains.
To handle desert conditions, make the vehicles last and ensure the occupants’ safety, the Dacia Dusters (crossover category) were prepared at the Renault Prototype Center at the Technocenter in France. The vehicles have received specific technical adaptations (reinforced suspension or aluminum skis under the rear deck). To make a difference in the race, extra equipment was added, such as a luminous compass on the dashboard, a second spare wheel, and a Terratrip tripmeter to measure precise distances (to within 20 meters) of less than a kilometer.
The Dacia Duster 4x4 prototype was also specially designed for the rally. The structure was completely rewelded and hoops were placed around the front and rear suspension. The prototype is raised by 80mm to 120mm (depending on the daily adjustments required), and the wheel arches have been widened by 25mm on each side. Enlarged wheels have been fitted with 225/75R16 all-terrain tires. The engine, delivering almost 200 bhp, is mated with a six-speed sequential gearbox. Finally, limited slip differentials were added at the front and rear.
 
KEY FIGURES
- 17.6% women in the group workforce (up from 10% in 1999),
- 20% of key group positions held by women in 2013 (up from 17% in 2012).
- 34% of women in the new vehicle sales force in France (up from 14% in 2009)
- 80% female new hires for the Dacia sales force
- since 2010, roughly 400 women have benefited from the women@renault program: leadership training (250), a diversity interview (180) and/or mentoring (80).


THE RENAULT 2014 CONTESTANTS
CROSSOVER CATEGORY
  Women@Renault 315 Team 
Sophie Chevalier-Viollet and Christel Le Berre (Technocentre, France)
“We know we can rely on each other. We can’t wait for the training session in navigation and driving in sand dunes!”

Women@Renault 316 Team
Stéphanie Camau and Mihaela Georgieva (Head Office, France) 
“Neither of us takes a confrontational approach to things, which makes it so easy: there’s no risk of arguments, even in the most stressful moments!”

Women@Renault 317 Team
Afaf SEMLALI et Zineb MAOUDOUD (Renault Morocco)
« We know each other very well. We each know each other’s physical capabilities and limits. »

Women@Renault 318 Team
Emilie BEAUBESTE et Delphine DESCOTES (Flins plant, France)
«Complementary skills: she’s diesel and I’m gasoline… we’re used to each other’s different styles»

Women@Renault 319 Team
Raphaëlle GOMEZ et Isabelle BEHAR (Head Office, France)
« Helping others, pushing ourselves and loving life are three qualities we will demonstrate throughout this sporting and human challenge.»

Women@Renault 322 Team
Clara-Cécilia LOPEZ et Maria-Victoria GIRALDO (Renault Colombia)
« We don’t think anything is impossible. The secret is never to let go of your dreams. Every time a new challenge comes up, we look for a new solution.»

 CATEGORIE 4x4 
Women@renault 122 Team
Isabelle CHARLES (Technocentre, France) and her co-driver Valérie THIEBAUT
«We want to be in the Top Three. Having reached podiums before (victories in crossover in 2010 and quad in 2013), we are ready to defend Renault’s colors in the Duster 4x4 specially designed for the rally. »

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