Tag: Martine Ackermann

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Students shine at ‘influential’ women and motorsport event

The first Monaco edition of International Women’s Sports was celebrated on Friday, January 24, at the Prince’s Car Collection with what FIA called an “influential Monaco event celebrating women in motorsport”.

The not-for-profit conference introduced female students in Monaco, ages 14-22, to possible careers in motorsport with World Rally Vice-Champion Michèle Mouton as the guest of honour.

Iron Dames go-karter Vicky Farfus, 13, interviewed race car driver Marta Garcia (Iron Dames and F1 Academy 2023 Champion), which was followed by a panel on roles in motorsport.

Speakers included (photo R:L) key note speaker Delphine Biscaye (F1 Academy Competition Manager); Sara Mariani, (FIA sustainability, diversity and inclusion director); Liz Roberts (founder Sportsunite Monaco); Cathy Muller (Iron Dames Young Talents Management); and Laurie Clog (Formula E Partnerships & Business Development Mahindra Racing).

Video participation integrated a welcome from Burcu Cetinkaya, Chair of the FIA Women in Motorsport Commission, Ella Häkkinen Champions of the Future go-karter and Iron Dames rally driver, Sarah Rumeau, who was participating in her first Rallye Monte-Carlo.

The event rounded off with a special thank you to Michèle Mouton by Tiffaney Perlino, President of Women in Motorsport Commission ACM, and Lacey Da Costa, co-founder Carob Tree Publishing.

BeSafe Monaco co-founders Camille Gottlieb, Margaux Grundstein and Laura Dias were also present. Founded in 2017, BeSafe Monaco is a non-profit Association for the Prevention of Drink Driving.

BeSafe Monaco co-founders Margaux Grundstein and Camille Gottlieb with Nancy Heslin.

Although supported by Iron Dames and FIA Women in Motorsport Commission, this independent event to provide access to students with women in Monaco working motorsport was co-organised by (picture below with Prince Albert at event: R-L) Martine Ackermann (Child CARE Monaco), Valérie Closier (Director Prince’s Car Collection), Tiffaney Perlino (President of Women in Motorsport Commission ACM) and Nancy Heslin (Co-founder Carob Tree Publishing).

Students from FANB, ISM, IUM and ITM were gifted a copy of the new release 100 Years of Women: Motorsport & Monaco by Nancy Heslin and Lacey Da Costa. The not-for-profit book was printed in Monaco and published by Carob Tree Publishing, Monaco’s first 100% female-owned publishing house.

Many of the women featured in the book were guests and there was an opportunity to meet and greet speakers, and have books signed.

Following the student event, a cocktail with HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco marked the official launch of 100 Years of Women: Motorsport & Monaco. The Prince wrote a preface for the book and was presented with a copy by Lacey Da Costa.

On behalf of the Automobile Club de Monaco, Prince Albert presented Michèle Mouton with a lifetime club membership.

100 Years of Women: Motorsport & Monaco writers L-R: Suellen Grealy, Rebecca McVeigh, Paula Farquharson, Nancy Heslin, Lanie Goodman and Chrissie McClatchie. Absent: Carla Ackermann, Suzanna Chambers and Annette Ross Anderson. Photo: P/ Farquharson.
“100 Years of Women: Motorsport & Monaco” writer Carla Ackermann with ACM Steward Sophie Bensa (left) and ACM Secretary to the Monaco Marshals Joanna Luong.

This 240-page hardcover in English features the world’s greatest female drivers, from rally to F1, who have competed in Monaco since 1925. Some 65 timeless stories of women written by 9 women offer an inspiring narrative filled with glamour, adventure, and triumph in a male-dominated sport. There is also an unprecedented chapter on the women in Monaco and their roles in motorsport.

As Iron Dames founder Deborah Mayer wrote in her introduction: “This book is not only an important reminder of how far we’ve come, but also a beacon of hope and unlimited potential for the next generation and for all women who face obstacles in any traditionally male-dominated field.”

The book retails for €50. A portion of sales will support next-gen female talent in motorsport. Buy or donate a copy here.

Article first published January 30, 2025. All photos copyright Ed Wright Images.

Prince Albert speaking with Iron Dames go-karter Vicky Farfus in front of her cart.
L-R: Lacey Da Costa, Valérie Closier, Laurie Clog, Tiffaney Perlino, Sara Mariani, Michèle Mouton, Christine Dacremont, Delphine Biscaye, Cathy Muller Ehrlacher and Anne-Charlotte Remy. Front: Martine Ackermann and Nancy Heslin.
Legend Michèle Mouton with MyCrown Collection founder and book sponsor Sophia Vaharis
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Simona Bonazzi & Tiffany Mengers

Watch the interview with Simona Bonazzi and Tiffany Mengers as they talk about their upcoming adventure in the all-female off-road Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles in Morocco. No phones, no GPS and sleeping in the desert – all in the name of charity.

Monaco residents Simona Bonazzi, an artist, Tiffany Mengers, a realtor, met two years ago and instantly became fast friends. At a dinner party one night, Tiffany told Simona how she had long wanted to participate in the Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles du Maroc, but couldn’t find a co-pilot. She asked Simona if she would want to team up for the April 2024 race and they shook on it.

Shortly after, a wide-eyed Simona started watching YouTube videos about the all-female 4×4 off-road rally that takes place in the desert in southern Morocco over nine days of competition. She had no idea what she was getting herself into – there is no GPS, no phones – but would not go back on her word.

Now the two are getting ready to go to Morocco to test drive on the terrain and work on their navigation and orientation skills. The goal is to use maps to drive the shortest possible distance in the shortest time to reach a series of predefined checkpoints without speed. This can mean driving around a mountain or crossing over it or driving through the dunes or avoiding them altogether.

They will do a second week of training again in Morocco before the official departure date of April 13. For the first time since the Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles launched in 1990, it is starting from Fontvieille in Monaco..

Simona Bonazzi and Tiffany Menders as Team SiTi RAG24 for the 2024 Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles.

As Team SiTi RAG24 (Simona/Tiffany/Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles/2024) Simona (left) and Tiffany (right) want “to promote values that are close to their hearts, such as solidarity, surpassing oneself and social commitment.”

The “Gazelles” have chosen to participate in the rally to actively support Child CARE Monaco, the association founded by Martine Ackermann, that works to improve the living conditions of disadvantaged children by providing access to education, health and other essential needs.

The dynamic duo kicked off their fundraising efforts on January 18 with a cocktail and tombola at G&M Design Gallery, where Simona’s art photography was on display.

They will be setting up a GoFundMe page, and will share the link on Instagram.

Created in 1990, the Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles du Maroc is committed to women (“our participants inspire others and have a strong positive impact”); committed to the environment (“the only motorsport event in the world with ISO 14001 environmental certification”); and committed to social action (“We are proud to be actively involved in promoting solidarity by carrying out positive social actions in France and in Morocco.”). Participants range in ages from 18 to 71.

You can visit Simona’s art photography exhibit at G&M Design Gallery at 11 avenue Princesse Grace, until Monday, January 22.


Article first published January 18, 2024.



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Child Care Monaco launches appeal to help supply food kits in Covid devastated India

While Covid figures in Monaco and France are falling as more of the population gets vaccinated — 36.33% in Monaco and 30% in the Alpes-Maritimes have had at least one injection — the situation in India is heart-wrenching. On Wednesday May 5, the country set a new record with 412,000 new cases and nearly 4,000 deaths (3,980) in 24 hours.

Monaco resident Martine Ackermann, founder of Child CARE Monaco which offers education to underprivileged children in India, has been personally moved by the situation and describes it as “catastrophic.”

Martine shares, “I have been going to India for over 20 years, it is my land of wisdom. I have only met wonderful people there and I feel I have to help them … this is my second country, my second family.

“With the new virus, people are afraid to leave home. Hospitals are saturated and there is not enough oxygen for everyone. So those with Covid are dying from lack of oxygen and are immediately burned one by one.

“A 38-year-old friend of mine who helped me distribute food to the poorest in his neighbourhood has just committed suicide. He could no longer run his business or pay his bills.”

Martine says a dad of another family she knows is a tuk tuk driver and doesn’t have any tourist clients. “They have nothing to eat and tell me it’s getting harder and harder to get by. I send them food parcels that they then share with the whole neighbourhood. They are united even in famine.”

Lockdown has made the situation worse because people cannot go out and look for food. “Our team on site has authorisation to go to very poor neighbourhoods to distribute survival kits. They take people’s temperatures and teach them how to wear masks and wash their hands properly,” she explains.

Since setting up in 2012, Martine’s association has opened a girls’ school in the Udaipur region. The SNEH school provides education, food, basic healthcare, school uniforms — and, most recently, bicycles — for 110 girls. Across Europe, non-profits like Child Care Monaco have not been able to host fundraisers.

“It’s a blow to everyone,” Martine states. “We cannot leave people in imminent famine. I hear from so many people how much they love India – the colours, temples, culture, yoga, gastronomy, music …  it is time to give back.”

A friend of Martine’s who has an association in a slum in the poorest province of India has reached out to her for help. “Malnourished mothers cannot produce breast milk so their babies are deficient and will not survive. In the streets, pregnant women are losing their babies and old people are dying.”

Child Care Monaco is launching a special appeal for donations to supply food kits for families. Any amount is welcome by cheque or transfer and 100% of the sum goes to a kit and for poor families. See the site for more info.

“I thank everyone for their help and support,” Martine says heartfelt.

Martine Ackermann, founder of Child CARE Monaco.