In a surprising comeback to rally races this season, nationwide athlete Burcu Çetinkaya has set her sights on securing her seventh Türkiye championship title.
Çetinkaya, the reigning ladies’s rally champion, shared her ideas with Anadolu Agency (AA) following her participation within the third leg of the Petrol Ofisi Maxima 2023 Turkish Rally Championship, the Eskişehir Rally.
As a feminine competitor, Çetinkaya has devoted herself to breaking boundaries and leaving an indelible mark on motor sports activities.
Reflecting on her exceptional journey, which spans round 15 years of representing Türkiye on the worldwide stage, European and world rally championships, Çetinkaya expressed her pleasure in fulfilling her lifelong dream.
However, she additionally highlighted the significance of nurturing and empowering younger feminine athletes, remarking that witnessing their development brings her immense satisfaction.
“After taking a break from rallying following the birth of my child, it has been a delight to make a comeback and receive warm wishes and positive feedback from people. Concurrently, I am thrilled to witness the rise of our young female athletes. If we can cultivate a culture that fosters more female athletes, it would bring us great joy. The presence of female drivers and pilots has been increasing worldwide, especially in countries like France, Italy, Spain, Sweden and Norway. Türkiye should undoubtedly join their ranks. It would be an honor for me to have female pilots representing Türkiye in international championships. If there is anything I can do to support and inspire women on this path, I am more than willing to lend a hand,” she mentioned.
Çetinkaya additionally revealed that her 7-year-old son, Mehmet Celal, accompanies her in races and is current at virtually all occasions.
Their distinctive bond as mom and son provides an additional dimension to their lives.
“Most of the time, my son is not just my child but also my friend. He often helps me by shooting videos, and occasionally I support him. Sometimes, he does his homework in the service areas, and I’m there to assist him. Having my child by my side at all times makes life more enjoyable. Balancing both an athletic career and professional pursuits doesn’t feel burdensome when we’re together,” she added.
When discussing her objectives in rallying, Çetinkaya exuded willpower and ambition.
As a six-time winner of the Turkish ladies’s rally championship, she holds a document within the annals of Turkish motorsport historical past.
However, her aspirations prolong past that, as she shared her dream of clinching a seventh title.
Competing alongside her co-pilot, Murat Yılmaz, she at present leads the ladies’s drivers’ championship with a 12-point benefit.
Çetinkaya expressed her major goal of widening the hole even additional.
Additionally, she envisions the potential of collaborating in a single or two races with a quicker, extra aggressive automobile able to vying for a high place within the normal classification.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
