6 March 2025, Ronalds

CrossCar driver Ares Lahoz Rubio has gained valuable lessons from the challenging 2024 season, setting the stage for success in 2025. Read below to discover how Ares relentlessly fought through tough moments and obstacles and what we can learn from her journey.

"The 2024 season was challenging. I was taken by ambulance from the racetrack twice a personal record. In the second race in Bauska, I had a minor crash that injured my hand and impacted my entire season. Additionally, luck was not on my side; despite frequently starting from the front rows, I often found myself out of the race due to contact with other drivers, preventing me from reaching any finals.

Despite these setbacks, I learned valuable lessons about resilience and maintaining a positive mindset to keep moving forward. One key area for improvement is achieving better results in timed practice, which would allow me to start from the front rows right from the beginning of the weekend. While I typically perform well in the heats, starting from the second or third row due to poor timed practice results makes it harder to secure a strong finish and avoid trouble at the start.

I cannot take pride in any major achievements this year, but I am proud of my personal growth and resilience staying motivated in every race despite the challenges I faced.

One of the toughest moments came in Saint Igny. After many disappointing races, I finally secured a front-row start for the second heat. However, right at the beginning, contact with another driver forced me out of the race. It was a devastating moment after feeling so motivated for a great weekend, my hopes were crushed as I ended up classified last in that heat, meaning I had to start from the back row in the next one… yet again.

Despite everything, I am proud that these experiences have pushed me to reconsider my approach for next season. I am committed to working with a great team to develop a new and improved car and putting in significant effort during the pre-season to be fully prepared for 2025.

This season, my plan is to compete in the full championship in the same category. My main goal is to enjoy every race to the fullest, give my best effort to reach each final, and fight all the way to the checkered flag."

This article highlights that girls are just as capable of competing in the grand European autocross arena. We hope to see more women joining our incredible sport, making it even richer and more competitive. Wishing Ares the best of luck on the track!