Jennie-Lee Hermansson
Jennie-Lee was born into a family who have had strong connections with rallying for many years.
Her father specialised in manufacturing tyres for some of the biggest WRC teams participating in the Swedish Rally, and through this he has worked with such prominent drivers as Kenneth Eriksson,
Tommi Makinen and Colin McRae.
Jennie-Lee’s mother has worked for the organisers of the Swedish Rally for many years, so she too has been involved in the sport for a long time. Not surprisingly Jennie-Lee quickly developed a keen interest in the sport.
As well as her family connections to the sport, the other main inspiration to Jennie-Lee has been Kenneth Eriksson. Jennie-Lee followed his career over a number of years and spent many hours watching him test and compete up close. He is her mentor and offers valuable guidance and advice in driving techniques and car set-up.
Jennie-Lee began rallying in 1999, in a Renault Clio 1300cc. During 2000 she drove a Suzuki Swift and eventually, in the summer of 2001, upgraded to Volkswagen Polo 1400cc which was the first purpose built rally car for her.
Jennie-Lee had several impressive results in her Polo, which lead to the opportunity for her career to explode onto the international scene in the spring of 2003. When invited to attend a Prodrive test, promoting the new Subaru GpN Impreza, she was asked to drive the car. She quickly impressed the test driver and doors began to open.
Through this test opportunity and due to Jennie-Lee’s obvious natural talent she came to the attention of the UK rally company 22 Motorsport. Jennie-Less was chosen to represent the team in the 2004 British Rally Championship, and had many impressive results.
2005 and 2006 was two hard years when Jennie-Lee didn’t drive any rallies because of no car and no sponsor money. Bur hard work gave results, and 2006 it was decided that Jennie-Lee was going to be the new rallydriver for Mitsubishi Motors Sweden during 2007.
Future:
To become a works driver in the World Rally Championship.
“My life is rallying, so I am fighting for what I want and you will have to wait and see whether I achieve my biggest goal” says Jennie-Lee with a big smile on her face!
Best results:
1st in her group in 3-Städte-Rallye 2002 in the German
Championship.
Several victories in the Swedish Championship and Swedish Junior Championship
3rd in Gp N in the British Rally Championship 2004.
Mentor – Kenneth Eriksson
One of Sweden’s most talented rally drivers, and former World Rally Championship driver Kenneth Eriksson is responsible for Jennie-Lee´s tutoring of driving techniques. He is also assisting Jennie-Lee with setting-up and testing of her car.
Kenneth about Jennie-Lee:
When Jennie-Lee started to practice rally, I could see that she had enormous talent in car control, that’s why I have continued to help her.
I feel that Jennie Lee has the car control, talent and determination to succeed in the sport. I have been involved with a few drivers and I have learned that one of the most important things is the determination. Without that it’s impossible to have success. And Jennie-Lee has the extreme determination to achieve what she wants in the sport.
One more thing which is in my thoughts its the change of advertising result in motorsport of today. 10 years back was it the car which won the rallies, today it’s the driver/personality.
That’s why if you have a girl team witch can match the boys in the Championship it would have a much more higher interest for media!
