Deborah Kibble

Racing around after cars, not kids, has seen New Zealand rally driver Deborah Kibble make history when she became the first woman to win a New Zealand rally championship.

Deborah, who took out the 2001 Group N Rally Championship in a close finish over reigning champion Chris West, says she and husband Jamie are so committed to the sport, they have opted not to have kids.

She became interested in rally driving after marrying into the motorsport-mad Kibble family in 1992. She started competing in 1993 and has been the only woman driver competing at National level for the past three years.

The extended Kibble family has been involved in rallying for many years, and Deborah says there have been some events with six Kibbles competing. They even have their own 'Kibble Trophy'. "It gets extremely competitive!" she says.

But the decision for her to drive and Jamie to move over to the passenger seat was made two years ago.

"We decided that I was good enough and sponsorship is easier to find for a woman."

Current sponsorship by Caltex Havoline Racing, Falken Tyres Japan and Mitsubishi Motors New Zealand helps them continue their rallying at the highest level in New Zealand.

"Rallying in New Zealand, like the majority of sports, is an amateur sport. You're never going to make any money out of it."

But Deborah does it for the love not the money and when asked how long she plans to continue, her answer is definite. "Always".

Deborah, her husband and the Caltex Havoline Racing Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI will defend their title in 2002.

KIBBLE MOTOSPORT GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGES SUPPORT FOR 2002 FROM:
Caltex New Zealand Limited - Caltex Havoline Racing
Falken Tyres Japan
Mitsubishi Motors New Zealand
Cable Price (NZ) Ltd
MacLennan Performance Centre
Aviemore Irrigation Co Ltd Earthmoving