Drivers count their best four scores and with Inessa Tushkanova not starting in Cyprus, Stratieva’s current total of 11 points cannot be surpassed, thereby underlining the former art student’s status as one of Europe’s top female rally drivers.
“After almost 10 years in motorsport it’s amazing to win this trophy,” said Stratieva, 31. “But I must thank some very important people, without whom this would not have been possible. My parents have been amazing to me and I have to say a big thank you to Marco Tempestini. He has helped me out so much and also introduced me to my co-driver Carmen Poenaru. The guys from his team have done so much to help me as well. Big thanks also to the Ministry of Sport in Bulgaria and all my other partners. And, last but not least, my co-driver Carmen. She has always been there on the road to me winning the ERC Ladies’ Trophy.”
With Poenaru, Stratieva has tackled seven ERC rounds this season, using a Citroën C2R2 and a Subaru Impreza. “This year has not been easy! I did a lot of mistakes with the Subaru and other things but it was great on Barum Czech Rally Zlín that we did our job by scoring maximum points. I was ready to fight with Inessa in Switzerland for first place. Now after we win I hope to find the money to start there and then have the possibility to be in the ERC again next year with all the people I know there and all the fans.”
Stratieva wasn’t the only driver celebrating ERC title success at the weekend: Kajetan Kajetanowicz became the inaugural ERC Gravel Master following his impressive run to second overall on the CNP Asfalistiki Cyprus Rally last weekend.