Have you had to change a wheel after a puncture or simply to put on some new rubber? It’s simple enough, but when you have the pressure of a competition on your shoulders it’s completely different…
When you look at drifting from the exterior of a team you have the impression that everything is cool and that there’s not much stress – but the moment comes when it is just as intense and constant as during a racing pit-stop in a series like FIA GT.
I’m a mechanic by trade, which for my part is a bit like like working in a traditional garage – but for the French Air Force! Like anyone who loves what they do and has a passion to realise, I’ve dreamt about one day being able to work in a racing team. From my point of view that would be the pinnacle of my career as a mechanic and what I’ve always been aiming for.
Before working with Speedhunters I had never assisted during a drift competition or GT race, so to have the opportunity to work with Fredric Aasbø was a bit like a dream come true for me.
When I arrived at the circuit on Sunday morning the pressure was enormous and I was so afraid of making a silly mistake that my legs were trembling!
It was only after the drivers’ briefing that I was sure of what my responsibility would be: recovering the rims and getting them back to the tyre technician. Just as with any kind of racing, taking care of tyres is crucial in drifting.
Of course it’s not complicated in principal, but it’s a different thing when the place is packed and the 100 metres I needed to negotiate was like an assault course – especially with wheels that were almost half as tall as I am and weighed as much as a dead donkey…
No word of a lie that I could still feel it in my right shoulder two days later…
For removing the wheels I had to follow a simple enough technique: there were five nuts to loosen with the cross-wrench and then more quickly remove with a drill with a nut attachment, so I could dismount the rim and tyre.
The important thing was to replace the nuts back on the wheel hub’s screw heads so they didn’t get lost and to avoid a catastrophe.
I’d change the wheels and mount the new ones, then move tyres to one side that were still in good condition and mark them by writing ‘Keep’ on the rubber – they could be used for testing later.
I also set the pressures and cleaned fresh rims and tyres so they were ready to be immediately fitted correctly in place as soon as they were needed.
Apart from changing wheels, my other role was to accompany Fredric’s mechanics on the starting grid. We had Fredric’s van parked up by the side of the track in case of anything going wrong, with spare wheels piled up in the back.
Unlike FIA GT where everything is ready to hand on trolleys and there’s normally a big team equipped with everything imaginable, here everything has to be done using just a jack, basic tools and a cross-wrench – and as fast as possible, whether changing wheels, altering pressures, fuelling if necessary and any engine checks.
The pressure began to ease off on the team as Fredric put in an excellent performance during practice, and it was with great joy that after the qualifying runs were finished we learned that he was at the head of the classification for the Top 16 – but that just meant having to maintain the advantage.
So, after some final tyre changes we were ready to get in the starting blocks for the Top 16 and were soon back out again on the grid.
It was actually impossible to see the runs in their entirety after the start from where we were stationed under the bridge at Silverstone, so we had to listen to the commentator over the PA to find out what was going on. However, our solution was to climb up the catch-fencing to see more of the course and therefore to ‘live’ the race a little bit more. Don’t try this yourself as the security will rap your knuckles!
After several runs Fredric had a coming-together with another car as they were running so closely into the initiation point – there was a brief moment of panic for everyone and the team were ready to work their magic if necessary, but when Fredric made it back we could see that thankfully it was just bodywork that would need repairing and a bit of paint damage.
The last round was not as straightforward as the rest of the day: at the end of Fredric’s first run we changed the tyres as planned, but it was after the second run that things got complicated as we’d asked too much of the rubber and had to change the wheels again – and in double-quick time. But fighting our beating hearts all the team kept their cool and with smooth organisation everything was executed perfectly.
So despite this we got all the work done in time, and with the finals complete we joined Fredric and the other drivers at the podium to hear the judges’ result.
On the announcement of the result all of our worries disappeared as we heard that Fredric had won.
The whole day was an incredible experience that I wish everyone could have.
I want to say a big thank you to all the people who helped me realise my dream. I’m already looking forward to the next event!
Camille Sebaoui
OFFICIAL SPEEDHUNTERS SUPPLIERS
why cant there be more women like this around the world, awesome stuff, keep up the good work
Is that an actual Speedhunters varsity jacket or a sticker attached to it? Lol
Why would a woman do men's work? And still smile after that...?
Riiiiiiiiiiight.
so camille is not spokemodel anymore but a part of Aasbo crew ??
It is nor men's nor woman's work, it is just work. Refreshing article Camille.
Man's work? Woman's work? It is just work. Refreshing article Camille.
There are ZERO women like that where i live.
So, no difference in knitting socks, and lifting weights?Seriously? Now Camille may enjoy this kind of activity, but still, i'd consider it not normal for a woman to carry around heavy wheels, while over-manly guys take pictures at the track.
how about making your wife building a house or fix plumbing.
@Dwright She could use some help lifting those wheels, but so would a skinny guy. I have no problem cooking my food, cleaning my house and working on my car, I am not very good at knitting socks though. LOL
@Dwright She's a professional mechanic in the French Military (she's a Sergeant actually!(. Not an issue for her.
@Dwright Not sure what you mean. Who says what men and women get to do?
@Frozzy One off custom jacket.... the rest of the team are very jealous!
It's one reason we like working with Camille.
@kokotorrio Exactly.
@vinzx This was a little test project... obviously she should do a lot more than just change tires but it was the best way to try out a role like this.
Dream woman.
Camille = MEGA BABE!!!
Rod, what do I have to do to get Camille's phone number?
haha nice try
i want one.....more where she comes from??? what a girl
RUssian girls (not glam useless meat) can do all kinds of this stuff.
When is the speedhunters clothign going to be avalibel for sale online ?
I really want one of those hoodies
i didn't know we were still living in 50's....
Doesn't matter if shes a girl/guy, the last photo says it all - she did it and absolutely loved it!
As a former tire technician for a very large chain of tire dealers (that may or may not sponsor a certain 2011 FD champ), I can say with absolute certainty that tires are meant to roll. In other words, as someone who's spent years changing tires, my advice for Camille is that next time, ROLL the tires and wheels around. Yeah, it'll be awkward for a little bit, but pretty soon you'll understand the balance and how to make a wheel and tire roll on edge anywhere you want it to go. Lean the tire towards your waist with the face pointing outwards and you'll find that while it's rolling it will naturally stay upright and roll. Save your shoulders and your back and just try rolling them around for a bit and pretty soon you'll look like a pro.
Good luck!
Totally awesome!
#waifumaterial
It's nice to see her helping out. Too bad no one told her wheels roll and she doesn't have to carry them every where she goes (Seriously not one picture of here rolling the tire to the car everyone she is carrying it.). When working on cars work smarter not harder. Great article though.
this is cool. i always take my girlfriend out to watch and understand, and to explain what i'm doing when i work on my car. now she has the confidence and know how to change her own oil, tires, and spark plugs and then some.
Girls with cars... A rare specimen... ^_^
Just read the comments here: 50% sexist arseholes, 50% horny desperadoes. Makes me proud to be a man.
I apologise on behalf of my sex Ms Sebaoui! Thank you for the great post and please just ignore our stupidities... which i'm sure you're well used to doing
nice!! i saw you running around holding a tyre and then i was like hey i know her from somewhere!
@RodChong @Frozzy not just the rest of the team!! would we be able to see it in your 2nd series of clothing line?! :p ..... Please!
Sacré ptit bout de femme... Bonne continuation chez Speedhunters !
@RodChong
What the.... mr.Rod you should featured her when she is in duty as mechanic for french Military !
mon premier commentaire sur speedhunters, malgré que je suives le blog depuis assez longtemps, pour dire qu'une fille, qui aime les voitures, est mécanicienne, et qui est, en plus, ABSOLUMENT MAGNIFIQUE, c'est juste un rêve (non, je ne suis pas amoureux ! quoi que ...?)
bon, sur ce, je vais continuer de rêver avec les autres articles
Je te souhaite une très bonne continuation !
"You've heard of beauty & the beast? She's both." – Blade Runner
Much respect, very impressive stuff. She's setting the bar high for the Speedhunters crew!
I'll marry you Camille Sebaoui!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Arghhhhhhhh
I'll marry you Camille Sebaoui!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Arghhhhhhhh
I'll marry you Camille Sebaoui!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Arghhhhhhhh
This girl is awesome!!!
I like how this post has one of the most comments on SH.
But seriously, much respect. You're basically everything a guy could want.
Make the hoodie for fatties like me please!!!
i wish i could just be there, wisconsin just isnt the same...
Is Camille taken?
isn't it kind of sexist?
she's got a entire post for changing his rear wheels? it shouldn't be any different because she is a girl.
if this was a entire post about her making lunch for the entire team it would get a totally different response.
worst post in the history of speed hunters.
lol. naw bro its cool.
@Dekro because everything a guy wants is someone who can change wheels?
@RodChong @Dwright everyone knows women belong in the kitchen
i knew when they got the vote the would end up doing crazy shit like that.
@ZachFrench I think having her make lunch would actually be more sexist.
GEEZZZ you guys and your comments. Some of you act like you never seen a vagina before. You would be creeping me out if i was her ..
@ZachFrench coz when it's a gurl doing it it's always different.... and specially if she's the spokeperson for speedunters (isn't she?) I agree with your comment. big deal... I change my own tires at autocross and don't post brag on it on any forum, let alone speed hunters...
@ZachFrench coz when it's a gurl doing it it's always different.... and specially if she's the spokeperson for speedunters (isn't she?) I agree with your comment. big deal... I change my own tires at autocross and don't post brag on it on any forum, let alone speed hunters...
Wouls Camille stay on the speedhunters crew as a spokemodel or she will no more be in and get with Frederic in his team ?
P.S. Camille tu est génial, et oui, tu as même des admirateurs québecois (au canada) :DDD J'espere te rencontrer un jour meme si c'est presque impossible x)
Sorry for my english i speek french :$
Wouls Camille stay on the speedhunters crew as a spokemodel or she will no more be in and get with Frederic in his team ?
P.S. Camille tu est génial, et oui, tu as même des admirateurs québecois (au canada) :DDD J'espere te rencontrer un jour meme si c'est presque impossible x)
Sorry for my english i speek french :$
@ZachFrench
et bon travaille au passage ^^
hey ZachFrench, if you speak french;
C'est quoi ton ost* de probleme avec les filles qui changent des pneus, ?! Jsuis certain que tu va voir un mécano pour changer les tiens alors tu ferme ta gueules svp surtout que je suis certain que cette fille la a plus de couilles que toi
Sans offence a camille
@ZachFrench
et bon travaille au passage ^^
hey ZachFrench, if you speak french;
C'est quoi ton ost* de probleme avec les filles qui changent des pneus, ?! Jsuis certain que tu va voir un mécano pour changer les tiens alors tu ferme ta gueules svp surtout que je suis certain que cette fille la a plus de couilles que toi
Sans offence a camille
@ProTireBurner je ne parle pas français, mais google translator est grande, il n'y a rien de mal à cela, mais il en fait un articule vraiment ennuyeux parce que rien intresting en tout cas à ce sujet. je vois tu as un peu agressif là si je ne vais pas en dire plus. garder à bascule et assurez-vous que vous le prenez mal.
@ProTireBurner je ne parle pas français, mais google translator est grande, il n'y a rien de mal à cela, mais il en fait un articule vraiment ennuyeux parce que rien intresting en tout cas à ce sujet. je vois tu as un peu agressif là si je ne vais pas en dire plus. garder à bascule et assurez-vous que vous le prenez mal.
More and more like youtube comments...
More and more like youtube comments...
Be still my heart......:)
Be still my heart......:)
I love her..
I love her..
@ZachFrench Look at it this way: if Larry Chen was given a role changing tires for Fredric Aasbo for a weekend, we would also give him a separate story to talk about his experiences.
@ZachFrench Look at it this way: if Larry Chen was given a role changing tires for Fredric Aasbo for a weekend, we would also give him a separate story to talk about his experiences.
Nice post. Shame about all the people claiming its some kind of sexist thing, but strangely they were cool with any post that referred to her as a spokesmodel? lol.
Anyway, nice read. Camille seems really sweet, I bumper into her a few times at Trax (our club stand was next to the starting grid for BDC) and also kind of got in her way whilst looking down my viewfinder, looking up and seeing Camille patiently waiting for me to get my shot whilst she holding two tyres, still smiling. (sorry Camille!)
It's so refreshing to see a woman who's not afraid to get her hands dirty, and a very pretty one at that! I'm lucky that my girlfriend is the same way
It's so refreshing to see a woman who's not afraid to get her hands dirty, and a very pretty one at that! I'm lucky that my girlfriend is the same way
Camille is such a cute girl.
Camille is such a cute girl.
@ZachFrenchGoogle translator really sucks x) but that's not the point
I'm surprised one of those wheels didn't fall off.
can i marry her?
can i marry her?
I remember seeing Camille at Gatebil in july and thinking, "one more of those team girls", but now I think I know what kinda girls she is, the kind that works as a mecanic in the Airforce!! PS, Im a mecanic in the airforce too! Rock ON !
I remember seeing Camille at Gatebil in july and thinking, "one more of those team girls", but now I think I know what kinda girls she is, the kind that works as a mecanic in the Airforce!! PS, Im a mecanic in the airforce too! Rock ON !
I remember seeing Camille at Gatebil in july and thinking, "one more of those team girls", but now I think I know what kinda girls she is, the kind that works as a mecanic in the Airforce!! PS, Im a mecanic in the airforce too! Rock ON !
I remember seeing Camille at Gatebil in july and thinking, "one more of those team girls", but now I think I know what kinda girls she is, the kind that works as a mecanic in the Airforce!! PS, Im a mecanic in the airforce too! Rock ON !
I remember seeing Camille at Gatebil in july and thinking, "one more of those team girls", but now I think I know what kinda girls she is, the kind that works as a mecanic in the Airforce!! PS, Im a mecanic in the airforce too! Rock ON !
i realized if i go down i'd find proposals
You people should really get off your high horse... she is a beautiful lady who happens to be a mechanic, and we appreciate that.. how does that in anyway make someone sexist?!
I wish more females would take on risk for what they have passion for, even if it may seem to be more male dominated in terms of career or sport. Amazing that she as a mechanic was able to live an opportunity that she has always dreamed about. This is what life and this culture is about. Cool write up, and glad to hear you are a bit closer to forfillment Ms. Sebaoui.
I wish more females would take on risk for what they have passion for, even if it may seem to be more male dominated in terms of career or sport. Amazing that she as a mechanic was able to live an opportunity that she has always dreamed about. This is what life and this culture is about. Cool write up, and glad to hear you are a bit closer to forfillment Ms. Sebaoui.