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French star Sarrazin completes Veloce Racing driver line-up

Published

5 years ago

January 21, 2021

George Miller

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Versatile French legend joins W Series Champion Jamie Chadwick for Season One
Sarrazin aiming to add Extreme E success to impressive career CV
Cross-country specialist Lance Woolridge appointed reserve and development driver

Veloce Racing has completed its driver line-up for the inaugural season of Extreme E, after signing successful French all-rounder Stéphane Sarrazin to partner reigning W Series Champion Jamie Chadwick. In support of this duo, South African cross-country and off-road specialist Lance Woolridge joins the team as reserve and development driver.

Sarrazin has enjoyed a long and diverse career in the sport, and arrives at Veloce boasting an impressive résumé. Whilst perhaps best-known for his sportscar racing exploits – with six podium finishes in the legendary Le Mans 24 Hours, two Le Mans Series titles and multiple victories in the FIA World Endurance Championship to his name – he has a far more versatile CV than many of his Extreme E rivals, which should serve him well in the pioneering new electric off-road racing series.

In 1999, Sarrazin contested the Brazilian Grand Prix and continued to carry out Formula 1 testing duties until the end of 2002. Four seasons in the FIA Formula E Championship yielded three rostrum visits and 21 points finishes, while in 2011 and 2012, he tested his mettle in Australia’s V8 Supercars Championship.

Since 2004, the Gard native has also made successful appearances in the FIA World Rally Championship, increasingly honing his off-road expertise. From 22 starts at the highest level, he has achieved ten points-scoring results – highlighted by a brace of fourth places – and in both Germany and France in 2005, he finished just one position behind Subaru World Rally Team stablemate and 2003 World Champion Petter Solberg.

Sarrazin’s first international rallying triumph came on the 2014 Tour de Corse – the finale of that year’s FIA European Rally Championship season – and from three Monte-Carlo Rally outings as part of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, he has never finished lower than fourth, with a podium to his credit in 2009. That experience makes him well-equipped indeed to deal with the variety of surfaces and conditions competitors are likely to encounter in Extreme E.

Stéphane Sarrazin, Driver, Veloce Racing, said:

“I am delighted to have agreed terms with Veloce Racing to contest the first season of Extreme E. This is a hugely appealing new series that has already attracted a lot of international attention – and all before the racing has even begun! As a driver, the concept is tremendously exciting and motivating – both on a competitive and personal level – and the challenge will be like no other.

“I’ve driven a lot of different types of car during my career, but the ODYSSEY 21 really is something special and it’s going to generate some incredible action. When we went testing together, it did not take me long to ‘click’ with the Veloce Racing guys – like me, they arrive in Extreme E with a lot of experience from different disciplines in the sport, and that can only be to our advantage over the forthcoming campaign. I can’t wait to go racing!”

Sarrazin and Chadwick will be supported throughout the forthcoming campaign by Lance Woolridge, who has established a fearsome reputation for his off-road endurance skills in his home country.

Born into a motorsport family – his father Neil Woolridge is a multiple cross-country champion on both two wheels and four, and tackled the iconic Dakar Rally in 1998 and 1999 – Woolridge already has 12 seasons of competition under his belt at the age of just 29. Not only that, but he has been breaking records every step of the way, including becoming the youngest driver in South African history to win a national championship cross-country event.

One of the leading protagonists in the South African Cross Country Series (SACCS), he secured consecutive Class T championship crowns in 2018 and 2019.

Lance Woolridge, Reserve and Development Driver, Veloce Racing, said:

“I’m thrilled to be joining Veloce Racing as reserve and development driver. Having tested the ODYSSEY 21 a couple of times now, I can vouch for the fact that it is a seriously impressive piece of kit and I’m confident that my background in cross-country rallying and with similar vehicles will enable me to offer valuable feedback to Stéphane, Jamie and the engineering crew. I’m looking forward to playing a key role behind-the-scenes to help give the whole Veloce Racing team the best possible chance of success.”

The 2021 Extreme E season will travel to five remote locations around the world, all of them damaged by climate change, as the series aims to shine a spotlight upon global environmental issues. The action will begin in AlUla, Saudi Arabia (3-4 April) before moving on to Dakar, Senegal (29-30 May), Kangerlussuaq, Greenland (28-29 August), Para, Brazil (23-24 October) and Tierra Del Fuego, Argentina (11-12 December).

Ian Davies, Team Manager, Veloce Racing, said:

“We are delighted to announce Stéphane as our male driver for the first season of Extreme E and to confirm Lance’s reserve and development role within the team. Both of them tested with us at MotorLand Aragón last month, and to be honest, they gave us a real headache in terms of who to choose. Since we didn’t want to lose either, in the end, we decided to sign them both.

“Both Stéphane and Lance worked extremely well with Jamie and Veloce’s engineering team at the test, and their different skillsets and experience complemented each other perfectly. Stéphane is very much an all-rounder – a master of endurance racing but also clearly extremely adept in sprint and off-road competition – while Lance is well-accustomed to vehicles like the ODYSSEY 21 from his cross-country racing and has a very well-developed mechanical understanding.

“Both guys were quick out-of-the-box in Spain, and we believe both will bring a great deal to Veloce Racing as we aim to hit the ground running in Saudi Arabia. We are confident that with Jamie and Stéphane driving and Lance working hard behind-the-scenes, we have a very strong team indeed.”

anti-quit challenge

HIPTHER Movement Launches the 2026 Run Challenge to Help Runners Stay Committed Beyond January

Published

5 hours ago

January 22, 2026

Wladimir P.

hipther-movement-launches-the-2026-run-challenge-to-help-runners-stay-committed-beyond-january

With the new year in full swing, HIPTHER Movement is kicking off its 2026 season with a fresh twist on its community-powered running challenges. From January 26 to April 5, the HIPTHER Movement: Anti-Quit Running Challenge will push runners to stay active and consistent well past the typical drop-off period in February.

Why This Challenge Matters

Every year, millions of runners lace up in January, but by early February, many resolutions fade. According to global fitness statistics, over 70% of runners abandon their goals before spring.

HIPTHER is taking a different approach — by creating a challenge designed specifically for this dropout window, promoting long-term consistency and fun competition in a supportive, global community.

A Two-Tier Challenge to Make It Fair and Fun

To make things even more exciting and inclusive, the 2026 running challenge introduces two separate leaderboards:

1. Tier 1 – “The Titans”

This is where the top 10 runners from previous editions will battle it out. These are the athletes who consistently top the weekly charts and push the boundaries of mileage. It’s a high-stakes leaderboard for elite-level fun and endurance.

2. Tier 2 – “The Momentum Makers”

The rest of the community – from weekend joggers to returning runners – will compete in their own leaderboard. This tier is about building momentum, staying motivated, and celebrating personal bests – no matter the distance.

“We’ve seen the same five to ten names dominate the top spots, which is amazing – but we wanted to give everyone else a space to thrive, especially newer members or those coming back from injury or burnout,” says Zoltan Tundik, Co-Founder of HIPTHER.

Challenge Period: January 26 – April 5, 2026

Participants can log their runs via Strava and automatically appear in the weekly leaderboard updates published across HIPTHER’s channels.

How to Join

Already a member of the HIPTHER Run Club on Strava? You’re automatically enrolled.
Not yet in the club? Join here – it’s free and open to all.

Weekly Highlights, Spotlights & Prizes

Weekly shout-outs for standout performances
Surprise giveaways for participation, not just podiums
Social media badges & stickers for personal sharing
Featured runners in the HIPTHER Talks Podcast and newsletters

No Dropouts This Time

The mission? To create a habit, not a spike. Runners who complete at least 8 weeks of the challenge will receive a virtual certificate and earn a chance to be featured in HIPTHER’s growing digital health and wellness community.

Don’t Worry, Cyclists: Your Time Comes This Summer

While this first 2026 challenge focuses on running, the HIPTHER Summer Ride-Off Challenge will return in June 2026, covering both road cycling and indoor sessions.

Final Word

Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or just getting back into running, this is your chance to be part of something bigger. The HIPTHER Movement isn’t just about leaderboards – it’s about consistency, community, and crushing that February slump.

Follow HIPTHER Movement on:

Let’s start strong — and stay strong. See you on the leaderboard!

The post HIPTHER Movement Launches the 2026 Run Challenge to Help Runners Stay Committed Beyond January appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Latest News

WinSpirit receives Special Recognition as Most Innovative Online Casino Operator

Published

6 hours ago

January 22, 2026

Zoltan Tundik

Online casino brand WinSpirit has received Special Recognition in the Most Innovative Online Casino Operator category at the European iGaming Awards, held on January 19 — a respected industry event celebrating excellence and innovation across the global iGaming sector.

Since launching in 2022, WinSpirit has rapidly gained attention for its dynamic approach to product development, player engagement, and platform growth. The brand blends innovative tools with entertainment-driven experiences, earning recognition from both users and the wider industry.

Over the past year, WinSpirit has introduced interactive formats like WinSpirit Stories and Threads, expanded its real-time Gift Shop loyalty system, and continued to invest in smart personalisation features. This has contributed to significant growth across key areas, including retention, session frequency, and VIP activity.

The award adds to the brand’s growing list of accolades, which already includes Rising Star (SBC Awards), Voice of the People (Casino Guru Awards), and World’s Best Online Casino (World Casino Awards). WinSpirit also maintains top-tier player ratings across major review platforms, including 4.6/5 on Trustpilot and 8.9/10 on AskGamblers.

With this Special Recognition from the European iGaming Awards, WinSpirit further reinforces its position as one of the most innovative and dynamic brands in modern online gaming — driven by rapid evolution and a clear player-first vision.

Casino Industry News

WinSpirit receives Special Recognition as Most Innovative Online Casino Operator

Published

6 hours ago

January 22, 2026

Wladimir P.

winspirit-receives-special-recognition-as-most-innovative-online-casino-operator

WinSpirit, the rapidly ascending online casino brand, has been awarded Special Recognition as the Most Innovative Online Casino Operator at the prestigious European iGaming Awards. The ceremony, held on January 19 in Barcelona, brought together the global iGaming elite to celebrate excellence, technical evolution, and industry-leading innovation.

Since its market debut in 2022, WinSpirit has carved out a distinct identity by prioritizing dynamic product development and immersive player engagement. This latest recognition highlights the brand’s successful efforts to merge cutting-edge technology with entertainment-driven user experiences.

Redefining Player Interaction

The award specifically acknowledges WinSpirit’s aggressive roadmap over the past twelve months. Key milestones that caught the judges’ attention include:

Interactive Content Formats: The launch of WinSpirit Stories and Threads, which bring a social-media-inspired engagement layer to the gaming platform.
Loyalty Evolution: The expansion of its real-time Gift Shop loyalty system, rewarding players with tangible value in a seamless, instant-access format.
Smart Personalization: Continued investment in AI-driven personalization features that tailor the gaming environment to individual player preferences.

These innovations have driven measurable success for the brand, with WinSpirit reporting significant growth in player retention, session frequency, and activity within its VIP tiers.

A Growing Legacy of Excellence

This Special Recognition is the latest addition to a mounting trophy cabinet for the brand. WinSpirit’s previous accolades include:

Rising Star (SBC Awards)
Voice of the People (Casino Guru Awards)
World’s Best Online Casino (World Casino Awards)

Beyond industry awards, the brand maintains exceptional standing with the players themselves, boasting a 4.6/5 rating on Trustpilot and an 8.9/10 on AskGamblers.

As WinSpirit moves into the remainder of 2026, the company reaffirms its “player-first” vision, positioning itself as a primary driver of the next generation of digital gaming.

The post WinSpirit receives Special Recognition as Most Innovative Online Casino Operator appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.