“An exotic woman in car motorsport”: Mariana Dillogah cracks the male domain
Mariana Dillogha, who lives in the northern district of Altenkirchen and is also no stranger to the neighbouring Siegerland, has made a name for herself as a woman in male-dominated motor sport. In an interview with the couriers, she talks about her racing career, her beginnings and her love for her poison green “Elliott”.
“Mariana Dillogah, who hails from the northern district of Altenkirchen and is well-known in the neighboring Siegerland, has established herself as a prominent figure in the male-dominated world of motorsport. In an interview with the couriers, she reflects on her racing journey, her humble beginnings, and her profound affection for her striking poison green “Elliott”.
Q: Mariana, when did your interest in motor racing ignite?
Mariana Dillogah: To be completely honest, it all began when I was just four years old. I sat on my dad’s lap for the first time, gripping a steering wheel, and was allowed to take control. That experience was like a key turning in the ignition, and from that moment, I knew racing was where I belonged.
Q: What happened next?
Mariana Dillogah: I distinctly remember laying eyes on a white Porsche 911 during my primary school years, and instantly, I knew it would be my dream car. Unfortunately, my parents seemed to favor the brand with the three-pointed star, but that never stopped me from dreaming of owning a Porsche 911. I pursued an apprenticeship as an automotive clerk at the Knebel car dealership in Siegen and successfully completed it. Whenever I had a free moment, I would rush from the office to the workshop, eager to observe the mechanics and their craftsmanship. It was an unusual interest for a girl, and one day, my boss asked me what I truly desired in the workshop. My answer was resolute: “I want to be a racing driver.”
Q: Despite having three children, did you pursue your dreams?
Mariana Dillogah: Even as I grew older and started a family, my passion for racing never wavered. Life had its ups and downs—I separated from my partner after a few years, had three children to support, and it became a juggling act to provide for my small family. At times, I held three jobs, including work at a pub in Siegen. I saved every tip I received just so I could have a few laps on the Nordschleife at the Nürburgring. My children were always there, captivated by the thundering engines. They preferred joining me at the Nürburgring over visiting amusement parks. During that time, I drove a Corrado G60 and had the chance to meet Jürgen Alzen from Alzen-Motorsport. Jürgen Alzen recognized my love for motorsport and advised me to obtain my racing license, allowing me to officially participate in races.
Q: Mariana, that sounds incredibly exciting. What happened next?
Mariana Dillogah: I will never forget the moment when I completed my license course at the Sachsenring, with heavy rainfall pouring down. It was there that I acquired my international C license. On that very same day, under pouring rain, I won my first ever race at the Sachsenring. From that point onward, nothing could stop me. I began competing in the VLN Endurance Championship at the Nürburgring, driving a Suzuki Swift. My journey continued from there—I raced with the Autobecker team from Düsseldorf in the Lotus Elise Cup, achieving respectable results. I also participated in sprint races across various racing series, but my heart always drew me back to the cherished Nordschleife.
Q: Surely, your achievements weren’t confined to what you’ve mentioned so far?
Mariana Dillogah: From 2003 to 2006, I worked as a team principal for a private Porsche team spanning Europe. Following that, from 2007 to 2013.
My son Julian, who in the meantime had made it to Porsche as a trained mechatronics technician specializing in air-cooled vehicles and racing cars, knew about my dream of owning a Porsche 911 one day. Finally, the time had come. He called me and said, beaming with joy, “Mom, I think I have something for you here!” I immediately drove to my son, and there she stood: My dream, a Porsche 911 SC built in 1978, in great need of restoration. But nevertheless, we managed to make the Porsche 911 SC suitable for racing through joint work.
What did you have to change and retrofit on the Porsche? Mariana Dillogah: “In order to be able to race, a cage, a racing tank, racing seats and brakes, as well as a rear spoiler, had to be installed at a later date. The Porsche now has 275 hp, and I had it painted poison green in my favorite color. From 2014, my car was ready for use, and I began to take part in historic rallies with the Porsche, which were calculated to target times. The first successes were achieved very quickly, including overall victories as well as class and group victories in various racing series, including international events. I affectionately named my Porsche 911 ‘Elliott’ because it breathes fire, hisses, and flies like a dragon.”
How did you get through the COVID-19 pandemic? Mariana Dillogah: Unfortunately, due to the pandemic in 2020 and 2021, historic rallies were very limited. Initially, five historic rallies are planned for 2022, and it will also be back on the beloved Nordschleife of the Nürburgring. There, however, I will start for a North German team on an Opel Astra as part of the RCN Rundstrecken Challenge Nürburgring.
Mariana, now the last question for you: How would you sum up your career in motorsport so far? Mariana Dillogah: Motorsport is my life, and it is inconceivable for me without racing. It’s not just a hobby, it’s a passion, a philosophy of life, and my great love.
