# @femalesinmsport on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DTtAXohknqr
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/52430045-femalesinmsport-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/2929017793.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-01-19T19:00:14.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Females In Motorsport (@femalesinmsport) — https://gondola.cc/femalesinmsport

## Caption

As we’ve come to the end of dakarrally 2026, we’re taking a look at the career of the first and as yet only woman to win the infamous rally, Jutta Kleinschmidt 🙌

Although now an icon of German motorsport, she didn’t start racing at an early age, despite a love of the extreme as she participated in winter sports.

Jutta earned a degree in General Physics from the Isny University of Applied Sciences and went on to work at BMW as a development engineer. It was during her six years at the manufacturer that her interest in motorsport grew, and she gave up her job to become a full time racer 🏎️

She raced her first Paris-Dakar Rally in 1988 on a BMW motorcycle which finished in a retirement. Despite not finishing the demanding event, it fuelled her ambition to return and conquer the rally. She raced in the bikes again the following year, finishing in 23rd.

Jutta switched to cars in 1995 and finished her first rally on four wheels in 12th. Only two years later she became the first woman to ever win a stage at Dakar 🏁

Her background and knowledge in engineering also proved crucial as she was instrumental in the development of the Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution, a car she drove to the podium in 1999. Jutta achieved this podium with Tina Thörner as her co-driver, making them the first woman pairing to stand on the Dakar Rally podium 💪

In 2001 she made the history books once again, becoming not only the first woman to ever win the Dakar Rally, but the only German driver to win the car category 🏆

Jutta continued to compete in the Dakar Rally up until 2007, entering the event a total of 17 times and managing six top five finishes, four podiums and a win.

📸: Getty

#FemalesInMotorsport #DakarRally

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## Tags

femalesinmotorsport, dakarrally

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