Harpsichord or dragster, the same high standards for Samantha Fermond
To be excellent and rigorous. Everywhere. To commit oneself in a conscientious, thoughtful, and organized manner.
HIGH STANDARDS everywhere. Such could be the motto of Samantha Fermond, in her twenties, who is at once a former classical musician, an aeronautical engineer, and a dragster champion, whom we met at her home in La Valette-du-Var.
Often little-known to the general public, drag racing is a mechanical acceleration sport open to two- and four-wheeled vehicles. The goal? To determine exactly the time taken to cover the hundreds of meters (400 for Samantha) of the tracks on which the competitors face each other.
Too fast? You are disqualified. Too slow? You are given a penalty. This sport therefore requires formidable precision, carefully worked out, far from the spectacular image associated with it in the vein of the U.
S. A. from which it comes. And indeed, Samantha and her father, mentor, coach, and primary supporter, have been able to put precise and clear words to this iron discipline, which is particularly demanding.
A demand integrated since childhood, Samantha having started at age 8. "During a competition where I accompanied my father, one of his friends explained to me that drag racing also existed for children. I was curious, I tried it, and it was a revelation."
Her father continues: "It's quite simple, her mother and I told her: OK to the dragster, but you continue your harpsichord lessons and you focus on your studies. And then, she drove cars with increasingly higher horsepower, very progressively, year after year. Even today, I continue to watch over her, especially to make sure she is well supported."
To be operational on the racetrack, Samantha is followed by a sports psychologist – Alain Parra – who gave her an image she keeps like a talisman: having the precision of bees and the lightness of butterflies. For that is the whole point: a subtle balance between an implacable method, nourished by her scientific studies (studying the weather, ground temperature, humidity...) and the lightness of a feather.
In addition to a strict diet applied with the support of a sports coach and a dietitian, it is indeed a matter of estimating to the nearest centimeter where to position her vehicle, at the moment of departure, between cells and sensors spaced 2 centimeters apart on each side of the wheel. Better still, succeeding in positioning oneself within the sensors, then accelerating slightly to gain the remaining two centimeters to the second sensor; so many precious seconds taken from the competitor!
MENTAL APPROACH This mental approach took several years to be experienced serenely. The first lost podiums led to tears and disappointment. Now, Samantha sweeps first places and is making a name for herself in a male-dominated environment.
"Knowing the codes since childhood, being supported by my father, and above all, today, as an adult, proving it through facts, that helps!" concludes Samantha, all smiles, helmet in hand, in front of her new racing car. Goal: to reach full power (900 horsepower) and scoop up a new prize at the Trophée de France, in Clastres in Picardie!
PLEASE NOTE... You can help Samantha in her adventure because she is looking for sponsors and patrons.
Do not hesitate to get in touch via Facebook (Team Samantha Dragster France).
Photo PRESSE AGENCE.