Lifestyle Profile - Special Feature
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First lady of motorsport is not for waiting

Having gained vital World Championship experience in Group N, for the remainder of 2002 Natalie focused on driving a Hyundai Accent WRC. The car was built and run by Motor Sports Development (MSD) and it's a team and car in which Natalie feels very much at home in.

Together with co-driver Roger Freeman, a former British and Team's Cup Champion, a three event programme was established and Natalie made her WRCar competition debut on the 2002 Catalunya Rally. Although a mechanical problem forced her to retire on the final stage of the first day, the race around the Costa Brava had been a largely positive one. The sporting and commercial benefits and potential of rallying a Hyundai Accent WRC were clear, and the decision was made to extend her programme beyond the two European World Championship rallies that had been initially planned.

The final three rounds of the 2002 FIA World Rally Championship (Rally New Zealand, Rally Australia and Rally GB) were thus added to her programme; all to be contested in the very latest MSD-built Hyundai Accent WRC³. Natalie became the first non-works Hyundai driver to rally such a car when she contested the Rally New Zealand. Setting stunning times comparable to the professional drivers, she finished the fast and furious four day event in 21 st position overall.

Fair minded and honest, generous and gracious, the only thing Natalie expects is the same of her friends and work colleagues. With energy levels permanently on full and an infectious love of life, for those who can keep up, Natalie is great company. Her parents, Frank and Doreen, are incredibly proud of their daughter, but Natalie won't let them admit so in public, for she has not yet achieved what she has set out to do. Natalie knows the road to becoming a professional rally driver is a long and difficult one, but she is fully committed and is giving it her very best shot.

Competing at the highest level in both World Rallying and British circuit racing is certainly bringing out the best in her, and with increased confidence comes more speed and better results. You get the feeling her peers haven't seen anything yet.

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