Year after year she says she might not compete next year, yet she shows up at Dakar every year—and almost always becomes its most eye-catching star. This is French female racer Isabelle PATISSIER.
Isabelle and her co-driver
As a rare woman in the desert, what’s even more interesting is that she is also a two-time world climbing champion ! This year marks Isabelle’s 10th Dakar Rally. France’s “Auto Hebdo” magazine said that in the absolute desert of men, 45-year-old Isabelle shines like a brilliant Desert Rose.
In Stage 13, which concluded on the 16th Beijing time, Isabelle finished 48th, while her overall ranking is 29th—a quite remarkable achievement for a female racer.
Former two-time World Climbing Champion
“Dakar is about the spirit of adventure, about those who truly understand the charm of the desert. It attracts not just men, not just wealthy, time-rich, adventure-hungry middle-aged people, but also women—like me.” This is what Isabelle said in an exclusive interview with French media before this year’s race. At the starting city of Mar del Plata, she practically dominated all local media headlines because she is unique enough, knows Dakar well enough, and brings a gentle brightness to the brutal competition. “A French woman—you know, the kind of elegant, romantic, life-loving woman you Chinese admire—has endured so much hardship in this desert for so many years. I think you should ask her what drives her,” said Serge Henninot, the French driver of the work vehicle ridden by reporters from Chengdu Business Daily. With as many as 17 Dakar experiences (as media car driver, organizer, co-driver, etc.), and having guided almost every Chinese car racer (in the auto category) in Dakar, Serge introduced Chengdu Business Daily reporters to this legendary woman.
“Let’s not disturb her now, she’s studying the roadbook with her co-driver.” Serge knows Isabelle well, but it’s better to avoid interrupting her while she’s working. The bivouac is dusty, but fortunately the tents are okay—we waited for her for half an hour. As a non-racing-sports celebrity who transitioned into Dakar, her background is thrilling. Before her, multiple former world champions in skiing and boxing had also come for the challenge. Despite her petite frame, Isabelle’s credentials are far from modest—before joining Dakar, she won the world climbing championship twice, in 1991 and 1992.
Nicknamed the “Buggy Goddess”
Since childhood, competing in the Dakar Rally has been Isabelle’s dream. “I just love speeding through the desert—I enjoy it so much.” With a thick French accent in English, Isabelle described her bond with Dakar. In France, there aren’t many female racers, and after spending 25 valuable years in climbing training and competitions, even she didn’t expect to enter the racing world.
“‘Do you want to know what real adventure is? It’s Dakar!’ I was pretty much thrown into the desert by that slogan.” That’s how Isabelle described the Dakar she had dreamed of. After months of preparation, in 2002 she rented a Nissan Pathfinder from her hometown team in Normandy, made some basic modifications, and set off on her first long Dakar journey. To date, this is her 10th attempt at the Dakar Rally (with 5 finishes, her best result being 16th place last year; in 2008 when Dakar was canceled, she competed in the Dakar Series instead).
“I gradually fell in love with Dakar. At first I thought it was magical, then I felt I should come back every year. I only worried about the racing and funding.” The Buggy Isabelle drives is a common type at Dakar, but just one of the vehicle types. It’s wide-bodied, with distinctive hill-climbing capabilities, but being rear-wheel drive, it has some limitations in off-road performance.
After gradually mastering the ins and outs of Dakar, Isabelle switched from four-wheel drive to two-wheel drive Buggies. In fact, apart from manufacturer teams like Volkswagen, BMW, and former Mitsubishi, if you want to truly compete for the top spots, the Buggy is your only choice. Normally, such high-performance American off-roaders plus modification costs can go up to 6 million RMB, earning them the nickname “Gods of the Desert.” Now, all Dakar racers who know her call her the Buggy Goddess. “The thrill a Buggy gives you is unmatched by any other racing vehicle,” Isabelle said, clearly fascinated by the ruggedly masculine Buggy. She loves adrenaline-pumping sports—if men can drive it, so can she. In fact, in the 2009 Dakar, she even raced on a four-wheel motorcycle—and beat many male drivers !
Isabelle: I Love Everything About Here
This year’s Dakar saw the No. 320 Buggy performing strongly, often crossing the finish line early at each stage. This surprised the reporters covering the event. On Rest Day 8, the Dakar official website even did a special feature on Isabelle, titled “Go, 320!” In the interview, she spoke about the challenges female racers face in this male-dominated world. Her words were moving: “In terms of strength and decision-making, male drivers may have an edge—that’s a general trend—but it doesn’t mean female drivers can’t achieve equally outstanding results. Although the majority of Dakar participants are men. Even in the motorcycle category, there are excellent female riders.”
This year’s Dakar saw the No. 320 Buggy performing strongly, often crossing the finish line early at each stage. This surprised the reporters covering the event. On Rest Day 8, the Dakar official website even did a special feature on Isabelle, titled “Go, 320!” In the interview, she spoke about the challenges female racers face in this male-dominated world. Her words were moving: “In terms of strength and decision-making, male drivers may have an edge—that’s a general trend—but it doesn’t mean female drivers can’t achieve equally outstanding results. Although the majority of Dakar participants are men. Even in the motorcycle category, there are excellent female riders.”
Reporters recently met Isabelle again at the bivouac. “I love Dakar, I love everything about it. Compared to the African version of Dakar, South America is more passionate, more incredible. Of course, Africa is more complex and unpredictable, even more thrilling.” Isabelle said, “I’m aiming to beat my personal best this year.”