Female Daimler Employees Enter Rally in a Viano

Bettina Singhartinger and Andrea Spielvogel, two female Daimler AG employees, will join the official lineup for the Aicha des Gazelles women's rally. The two will enter competition in a Mercedes-Benz Viano 4matic, Daimler announced today. The rally kicks-off on March 27, 2010 in on Morocco's Atlantic coast.

All the takings from the rally go to a charity which subsidises mobile clinics, orphanages and the construction of wells in Morocco. The king of Morocco has also confirmed that he will be present to welcome the rally participants in person.

"I have enormous respect for the challenges to come," said Andrea Spielvogel, who works in information technology.

"This is probably the greatest adventure I have ever let myself in for," added Bettina Singhartinger, a communications employee.

The all-wheel drive, standard specification vehicle has only been given a complete technical overhaul and minor racing modifications for this year's event.

Extras include a rollover cage, bucket seats, harness seat belts, an aluminium underbody guard and special sand tires. The car was also used in last year's rally.

"Last year the team won the event in this vehicle, and the Viano stood up to the challenge with no problems," stated Singhartinger.

The second rally vehicle, a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4x4, will be driven by Jeanette James and Anne-Marie Ortola, last year’s winners.

This Sprinter panel van is powered by the standard three-liter diesel engine developing 140 kW (190 hp), and has an automatic transmission, all-wheel drive available ex factory, and open centre and inter-axle differentials. Modifications include special sand tires, rollover cage, bucket seats, underbody guard.