Cristina Gutiérrez is one of the great protagonists of the world rally-raid scene. In the end, the driver from Burgos is the current champion of the T3 category of the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies and the spearhead of the Red Bull project in the specialty. Besides, ‘Tortu’ competes for Lewis Hamilton’s X44 team in Extreme E, a structure in which he has Sébastien Loeb, a nine-time WRC champion, as a partner. Nevertheless, Gutiérrez also finds time to dedicate to another specialty that serves to complement your workouts.
To be honest, it cannot be said that it is a complete surprise to see Cristina in a speed rally, because she has already competed in this type of event in the past. Still, given her busy schedule, she is a bit unexpected that Cristina Gutiérrez is part of the Rally Island of the Volcanoesa test valid for the Spanish Rallies Super Championship (S-CER) that takes place between April 29 and 30. A high-level test in which the best riders on the national scene of the specialty will be.
For the occasion, The Burgos woman will be at the controls of a Volkswagen Polo N5 from the Sport&You Canarias team. Cristina will have Mario González Tomé as co-driver in a test in which she was already present in 2017. Although she will be the only participant with an N5 vehicle, ‘Tortu’ hopes to complete a good role against the great roosters of S-CER who come to Lanzarote in search of victory. Among them, it is worth mentioning the presence of Yeray Lemes, Efrén Llanera, José Antonio ‘Cohete’ Suárez, Pepe López, Surhayen Pernía or Alejandro Cachón.
Although it never hurts to rub shoulders with the best of the specialty, Gutiérrez’s objective in the Isla de los Volcanes Rally is to stay active and continue with her training facing the challenges that lie ahead in the short term. On the horizon is already the Andalucía Rally, third round of the new FIA World Rally-Raid Championship. ‘Tortu’ is expected to attend the Andalusian event to compete with his usual T3.
Just after competing in the Andalucía Rally, the Spanish driver will return to action with the double Extreme E round on the island of Sardinia. Following changes to the schedule made by the series promoter, Gutierrez and Loeb will ride the X44 team’s Odyssey 21 for two consecutive events taking place July 6-7 and July 9-10 on the island Mediterranean. Much of his chances of winning the title go through getting a good result in this double event.
Photos: ASO