Belgium and the 24 Hours of Le Mans share a long and storied history…one that resulted in an extraordinary record. For 43 years, two Belgian drivers succeeded each other as win record-holders at the race: Olivier Gendebien from 1962 to 1980, then Jacky Ickx from 1981 to 2005, not forgetting Lucien Bianchi's victory in 1968. This exceptional legacy also included contributions by women in the 1970s thanks to Christine Beckers and Yvette Fontaine (four and two participations, respectively). Sarah Bovy: "Belgium is a small country in terms of size, but significant in terms of sporting disciplines and culturally as well. I am very proud to offer what I can to auto racing. It is very inspirational to me to see that for years Belgian drivers have climbed the highest ranks of motorsport, and I am thrilled to be a part of that. I know Jacky Ickx, his wife and daughter Vanina well. Jacky served as Grand Marshal for the opening round of the 2022 FIA World Endurance Championship at Sebring. He came and took a photo with us which made us so happy. Obviously, Jacky is the most well-known Belgian driver in motorsport, and it was wonderful for someone like him to come support us before a race."

The other connection between Le Mans and Belgium is the Spa-Francorchamps round at the country's legendary circuit now considered the final dress rehearsal before the 24 Hours. Bovy's passion for Le Mans began in fact in the Belgian Ardennes: "Early on, I was a huge 24 Hours of Spa fan because it was the first long endurance race I went to see when I was a kid and had just started out in karting. I quickly realized I love 24-hour races the most. I appreciate the element of surpassing oneself, the strategy. I think those races demand the most of drivers, teams and cars. I remember the great Audi years with Tom Kristensen. I grew up with all of that on T.V. and then went to Le Mans for the first time in 2009. I sat in the bleachers and told myself I absolutely had to do this race one day. In 2018 and 2019, I went as a consultant for Total Racing which was one of the main sponsors of the event. I made videos for their social media and loved it because I got to see behind the scenes at the 24 Hours. So I was able to experience the 24 Hours from inside and it was all the more special for me to do the race since I'd been dreaming of it for so long."

Bovy joined the Iron Dames early last year and her dream of taking the start in the 24 Hours came to fruition in August 2021. "During Test Day and the first official testing at the circuit, I told myself I was going to do a lap for me so I could say here you are, Sarah, on the 24 Hours of Le Mans track, you are officially entered (smile, Ed.)! After that you get to work, slowing down braking and decreasing times." Ironically, the strange atmosphere and tight schedule between Test Day and the race due to the global health crisis seemed to facilitate Bovy's ability to focus on the race. "In one sense, my rookie 24 Hours was pretty calm as last year they didn't have Scrutineering or the Drivers' Parade downtown and that gave us and the engineers the time to take things one step at a time. It was a very good thing for me doing my first 24 Hours because it allowed me to take the start with a bit more energy and perhaps a little less pressure. The traditional race week schedule is back this year and I am very happy about that. I race cars as a passion and have been a spectator at the 24 Hours."

Along with teammates Rahel Frey and Michelle Gatting, Bovy finished her rookie 24 Hours in ninth place in the LMGTE Am class. "We experienced a few problems that delayed us during the night just as were on our way to achieving a great result. I came out of it feeling very positive because mechanical troubles are part of the race and you have to accept that, but I can't wait to go back (laughs, Ed.)! Le Mans is an incredible challenge and a beautiful circuit, but I expected it to be harder physically and technically. I think my preparation and friends in our driver line-up helped me to adapt very quickly." After the 24 Hours, Bovy finished the 2021 European Le Mans Series season with two consecutive podiums before finishing in the top 5 in LMGTE Am at Sebring and leading the LMGTE class at the opening race of the 2022 ELMS at Le Castellet. So hopes are definitely high for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. "At Sebring, we knew it was very difficult to go after the Aston Martins and Porsches regularly without them having reliability concerns. Also, to be the first Ferrari on the grid proved the potential of an all-female line-up given that all-male crews also drive a Ferrari in LMGTE Am. We were thrilled with the result and know we have the pace for podium finishes in the FIA WEC, which is our goal before the end of the season. I am convinced we can do it."

PHOTOS: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES, 2021 24 HOURS OF LE MANS. From top to bottom: Sarah Bovy sporting her helmet and ready to hit the track; Bovy flanked by teammates Michelle Gatting (left) and Rahel Frey (right); the Ferrari shared by the Iron Dames.