Delia Stegemann and Anette Meeuvissen
This series was a one-make saloon competition for women drivers, using identical Ford Fiesta XR2s. It ran in Germany between 1982 and 1986, with a few races in adjoining countries. There were separate points awarded for German and international drivers, but only one winner per championship.
The championship was organised by Ford of Germany and was unusual in that it offered fully-funded drives to its entrants. Over 1400 women applied to be a part of it, initially through their local Ford dealer. The numbers were gradually winnowed down to 120, who were then assessed. The final driver selection took place at the Nurburgring, judged by a panel including Dieter Glemser, Klaus Niedzwiedz, Marc Surer, Manfred Winkelhock and Klaus Ludwig. They were assessed in a variety of ways, including on-track testing and interviews. Twenty made the final list.
The 1982 joint victors were Delia Stegemann, who went on to race in Formula Three, and Anette Meuvissen, who went on to race in the DTM. Entry lists, have proved hard to find, but Beate Nodes was the 1984 champion, succeeded by Traudl Klink. Beate went on to become the first woman to finish in the top three of a DTM race, and Traudl later managed her own racing team.
Champions
1982 Anette Meuvissen/Delia Stegemann
1983 Claudia Ostlender
1984 Beate Nodes
1985 Traudl Klink
1986 Marion Beule
Towards the end of its lifespan, the Ladies’ Cup became less popular and grid sizes declined. It was retired after the 1986 championship, which did not feature the fully-funded entries. From 1985, drivers had to bring a set amount of their own sponsorship to the table.
In 1990, the Ford Fiesta Mixed Cup, a two-driver mini-endurance series for male/female driver partnerships, replaced the Ladies' Cup. Both Sabine Schmitz and Claudia Hürtgen tasted their first motorsport success in this championship, alongside Thomas Marschall and Michael Funke respectively. A large number of female VLN and German saloon racing regulars got their start in either the Ladies’ or the Mixed Cup.
The Mixed Cup was cancelled after the 1992 season.
Champions
1990 Beate Nodes/Thomas Meyer
1991 Claudia Hürtgen/Michael Funke
1992 Sabine Schmitz/Thomas Marschall
(Image source unknown)
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