Nathalie Richard is one of the codrivers I really wanted to interview for this series. Her CV is like a who’s who of both drivers and championships. Having codriving for Antoine L’Estage, John Buffum and Pat Richard. Nathalie has had a fantastic 2012 but we’ll let her tell you about her year.
What made you want to become a co-driver, and how did you make it happen?
I was pretty fortunate when I was first introduced to rally. Growing up in Canada, it wasn’t as popular as it is in many other places in the world. I had absolutely zero idea what it was when my brother decided to take his street car and prepare it for rallying. We lived almost 4000km apart so even then, it’s not like I realized right away what he was up to. Eventually, a couple of months later, he had a rally less than 1000km from me so I decided to go watch. My parents also made the trip and we all met there. I loved it, was hooked right away, and knew I somehow had to get involved. Two weeks later, by the final round of the season, I was his team manager and logistical planning started for his assault on all of the national events in Canada and the US the following year. I used up all my vacation days to go to rallies with his team and during the year, there was one event where his regular US co-driver couldn’t make it and one event that his usual Canadian co-driver couldn’t make it. I got to step in and that’s where my career started!
How could we encourage others to become co-drivers?
I think anytime people see in-car footage, they can help but get interested in what co- drivers do. Driving obviously takes a lot of skill and it’s the more ‘obvious’ of the two jobs in the car … but co-driving isn’t anything to shake a stick at!
What makes a successful co-driver?
I’m a type-A, control freak, kind of girl! I don’t know if that actually helps but I imagine it does at least a little bit. To be a good co-driver, I think you need to have a combination of a lot of traits. Not saying that I have them all, nor saying it’s restricted to these, but it’d be helpful to be organized, fearless, somewhat of a leader, intelligent, confident, multi-tasker, quick-thinker, competitive and versatile. You can be all that and never win championships, though.
What makes a successful co-driver is a good co-driver, who sits with a good driver. Even though co-drivers are often omitted from kudos (i.e. So many headlines say that LOEB won his 9th WRC title!!) drivers don’t actually win any rallies by themselves! Just like co-drivers can’t win a rally by being the best co-driver out there.
What has been your most memorable experience beside a driver?
I’ve had SO many great experiences in rallying.
1). My first win, in 2004, with my brother, which was our first rally together since I moved back from Australia.
2). Coming out on top of a hard fought 2005 season again David Sutton’s team of Stig and Ana, including two results that separated us by less than a second.
3). Winning a rally in 2005 with John Buffum, which would prove to be his last career victory. 4) Winning multiple titles with Antoine L’Estage and an amazing trip we took to see the famous fifteen at the Colin McRae stages to pay respects, cheer on our friends, and meet several former champions. All these are memories, I wouldn’t change for a thing.
Have you ever been tempted to swap seats?
What’s important for me is trying to perfect what I do on the right side of the car. I’ve only sat in the driver’s seat once after an awards banquet and I couldn’t even really reach the pedals! I was the only one on the team who wasn’t drunk so I was the voted driver. There were twice as many occupants in the rally car than usual and even though we were only going a few kilometers, it was an interesting ride for everyone. Let’s just say that a little wine was spilled – but that’s their own fault for bringing full wine glasses into the rally car! I doubt I’ll ever drive at speed – I’d probably scare the poop out of myself and anyone brave enough to sit with me.
What’s the achievement you’re most proud of whilst co-driving?
I can get a feeling of pride when we finish a stage and I know I’ve done a great job. Some rally wins also mean more than others because of either the things we’ve overcome to get to the end or because of a tight battle won. A lot of time, people ask me what I do and end up explaining what rally and co-driving is – often I get asked if I compete against guys. I’m a far cry from being a feminist but I like being able to say that the titles I’ve won and the records that I hold are because I’ve beaten everyone, regardless of what picture is on the public bathroom door they use! But without toot-tooting too much, something very special to me is the Triple Crown. When you win the Canadian championship, the Rally America championship, and the North American championship, you’ve won the triple crown. It’s only happened twice in history – the first driver was my brother, Pat in 2004 and the second driver was Antoine in 2010. I was their co-driver both times. Toot toot !
Co-drivers are often overlooked with drivers receiving most of the attention, could their role be promoted more within the sport?
Haha … I do my best! But seriously, I was appalled when the WRC chose to remove the co-drivers’ names from the rally cars. As a co-driver, I took that as a sign of disrespect. We may not hold the steering wheel and we may not need their instincts or driving ability but rallying is not an individual sport. Without a doubt our role could be promoted and acknowledged more within the sport. I think the drivers and the media need to tackle this one a little more.
What event past or present would you most like to compete on?
I’ve competed in Australia a bit at the beginning of my career. I did WRC Mexico and I’ve done all the national events in Canadian and the US, which include some awesome rallies. A LOT still eludes me but I’ve always wanted to do some events in Europe. I’ve been to several WRC events but unfortunately not as a competitor –I’d love to change that but it’s very hard to pick just one. My father’s Swiss and my uncle played a big role on the governing side of the sport there for many years – he’d love to see us over there. Ireland and Scandinavia are still un-ticked on my travel bucket list so maybe I could kill two birds with one stone! We don’t have any tarmac events in the premiere championships here in North America so ideally I’d prefer to stick to gravel, given the option. So many great options out there!
How important is the relationship between driver and co-driver?
The relationship between driver ad co-driver is hugely important. The top teams in the world see each other more than they see their families and that’s so easily believable. There’s no way it would work if they didn’t get along. I’ve always said that it’s important to enjoy what you’re doing because if you don’t, it’s either time for something to change, or it’s time to get out. While nothing’s ever perfect, Antoine L’Estage and I have a great relationship. We like each other, we respect each other, we work well together, and we generally see rally things very similarly. If I wasn’t enjoying my time in the car, both on stage as well as during our transits, it wouldn’t be worth it to me. Luckily, we also get along on the plane, in the recce car, and at the gym. At least most times!
You can find out more about Nathalie at www.nathalierichard.com
