Competitors
The Cars
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2009 Dodge Challenger
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Division:
Targa -
Driver:
Ralph Gilles - Addison Twp, Michigan, United States -
Co-Driver:
Karen Wagner - Sacramento, California, United States -
Description:
Ralph Gilles - Vice President
Jeep®, Truck, Advance Interior and Component Design, Chrysler LLC
Ralph Gilles was appointed Vice President - Jeep/Truck and Advance Interior Design, in 2006. Previously, Gilles was appointed Director - Truck Exterior/Interior Design Studio, Chrysler in 2005.Gilles served as the primary interior designer for the, Viper GTS/R, Dodge Intrepid and the Jeep® Jeepster concept vehicles; and the production versions of the 2002 Jeep Liberty, 2003 Dodge Viper. He also served as director of the 2005 Dodge Viper Coupe, Dodge Magnum, Dodge Charger, the Chrysler 300C, the 2008 Dodge Caravan, Chrysler Town & Country minivans and most recently the all-new 2009 Dodge RAM. At Chrysler, Gilles also leads a group of volunteer auto enthusiasts - called the Mopar Underground - that creates niche concept cars for specialty aftermarket shows and related corporate events. Gilles sits on Chrysler's Street & Racing Technology (SRT) Board of Directors and serves as a Team Leader in the company's Leaders of Today & Tomorrow Program.
Gilles' serves on the Board of Trustees of Pontiac Osteopathic Hospital (POH) Medical Center in Pontiac, Michigan and on the Advisory Board of The School of Industrial Design at his alma mater, The College for Creative Studies (CCS) in Detroit, Michigan, where he also taught Senior Transportation Design from 2003 to 2005.
Gilles was born January 14, 1970, in New York, N.Y.Karen Wagner
For many years now Karen Wagner has been involved with rally racing in the U.S. She first started working on a rally team crew, then as a team manager, and currently is competing in the Rally-America National Rally Championship series. With only three races remaining she is leading both the 2wd and G5 classes as a co-driver and has her sights in winning both championships this year.
Her first full year rallying was 2006 where she competed in the Rally America Regional Championship where she finished all seven events entered as a co-driver and finished 8th in the 2wd Western Region Championship. In 2007 she wasn't able to enter many events due to work conflicts, however she still finished 8th in the Rally American National Championship 2wd class. She has raced in most of the different classes and has gained a wealth of experience, especially from her mentor and teammate Doug Shepherd (who has won numerous championships himself as both a rally driver and co-driver).
Karen teamed up with Ralph Gilles for her first Targa Newfoundland in 2006 in the debut of the Dodge Caliber SRT/4. They worked well together through some tough moments, and got their first class win. She absolutely loved the event from the friendly people, to the beautiful scenery, and most importantly the awesome but very challenging stages. This year Karen and Ralph are teaming up once again, and with their 2006 experience they are looking forward to a top overall finish as well as a class win.
"Targa Newfoundland is by far one of the most challenging endurance races out there and I feel very privileged to be back this year. I can't wait to take what I learned in 2006 and apply it this time around. My goals are pretty much the same as last: to have a blast and have a good finish." explained Karen.
