Jutta Kleinschmidt

Off Road racing // German

My victory at the Dakar was the best feeling in the world

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nickname:

Queen of the Desert

Birthday:

August 29, 1962 (63)

Birthplace:

Cologne, Germany

racing type:

Off Road racing

team(s):

racing status:

Retired

height (cm):

150

residence:

Monaco

inspiration(s):

Clärenore Stinnes, Pat Moss, Elly Beinhorn.

guilty pLEASURES:

FOLLOWING:

GRRL! Number:

GRRL-0254

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profile updated: June 12, 2025

Jutta Kleinschmidt is a pioneering German racer who made history as the first and only woman to win the prestigious Dakar Rally, breaking barriers in the male-dominated world of motorsports.

EARLY YEARS

Born on August 29, 1962, in Cologne, Germany, Jutta grew up in Berchtesgaden with an adventurous spirit, famously declaring, “I’d rather have a tree house than a doll house.” Her childhood was marked by challenging gender norms, as she preferred exploring old houses and competing in activities considered “boy’s stuff” at the time. While pursuing her physics degree at Isny Polytech from 1982 to 1986, Kleinschmidt’s fascination with motorcycles led her to compete in her first cross-country endurance rally in 1987.

EARLY SUCCESS

Jutta’s motorsport journey began when she followed the 1987 Paris-Dakar Rally uninvited on her motorbike, covering an impressive 10,000km from France to Senegal. This daring adventure sparked her racing career, leading her to officially compete in her first Paris-Dakar Rally in 1988 on a BMW motorcycle. After gaining experience on two wheels, she transitioned to cars in 1994, driving the Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution. Her engineering background proved invaluable in developing this vehicle, which became one of the most successful cars in Dakar Rally history. In 1997, she achieved a breakthrough by becoming the first woman to win a stage of the Dakar Rally.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

1988: Competed in her first Paris-Dakar Rally on bikes[1].
1992: Placed 23rd at the Paris-Dakar Rally on bikes[1].
1995: Switched to cars in the Dakar Rally, placing 12th driving the Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution[1].
1997: Became the first woman to win a stage of the Dakar Rally using the Buggy Schlesser[1][2].
1999: Secured third place in the Dakar Rally and became the first woman pairing (with Tina Thörner) to stand on the podium[1][4].
2001: Became the first and only woman to win the Dakar Rally and the only German to win the car category[1][2][4].
2002: Achieved second place in the Dakar Rally with co-driver Andreas Schulz in the Mitsubishi Pajero[4].
2005: Placed third in the Dakar Rally with co-driver Fabrizia Pons in the Volkswagen Race Touareg 2[4].
2013: Named an FIM Legend for her achievements in motorsport[1][2].

REPUTATION

Kleinschmidt is revered as a groundbreaking figure who shattered gender barriers in motorsports. Her historic 2001 Dakar Rally victory stands as a watershed moment for women in racing, cementing her legacy as one of the sport’s most influential competitors. Beyond her racing prowess, Jutta’s background as a development engineer at BMW adds technical credibility to her achievements. Her resilience in the face of extreme challenges has earned her recognition as an FIM Legend and respect throughout the motorsports community. Currently serving as President of the Cross Country Rally Commission at the FIA, her influence extends beyond competition to shaping the future of the sport.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

Jutta remains committed to promoting female participation in motorsports, with plans to continue her advocacy work long-term. As President of the FIA’s Cross Country Rally Commission, she aims to further develop sustainable practices in off-road racing series. Kleinschmidt intends to expand her impact as a keynote speaker, using her remarkable story to inspire the next generation of women in motorsports and technical fields. Her partnership with environmental racing series like Extreme E reflects her ongoing commitment to sustainability in racing.