Model and actress Verena Mei, who is also an accomplished drifter, drag racer and car stuntwoman, has co-driven her first rally ahead of an all-out assault on the category.

Known for her performances in the movies "Rush Hour 2" and "The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift," the Hawaiian also hosted a special car programme on cable TV after first working as a model and brand ambassador in the automotive industry in 2000, which sparked her initial interest in cars and her desire to race. The woman who passed stunt driving and drag racing school acquired a driving technique that made her stand out in NHRA (National Hot Rod Association), Drift and Time Attack events.

Mei decided to move from California to New Hampshire to enroll in the famous Team O'Neil Rally School. She is being taught by founder Tim O'Neil, and made her debut on the Sno* Drift rally, the opening round of the Rally America Championship, at the end of January. On her inaugural event Mei handled the notes for O'Neil instructor and Rally America regular Wyatt Knox. It appears she has already learned a lot about rallying through co-driving under the master guidance of Tim O'Neil. Running a 2008 MazdaSpeed3, she finished an impressive 4th in the 2WD class on her rallying debut.

Becoming a rally champion and competing in the XGAMES are Mei's current targets. She added, "I also want to become a positive role model for young women, and contribute to safe driving education programmes for teenagers."