Irish rally driver Aoife Raftery has been selected for the prestigious World Rally Championship’s Beyond Rally Women’s Driver Development Programme.
A member of the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy, Aoife is one of just 15 female drivers chosen from across the globe to participate in this initiative, aimed at boosting female representation in the sport at the highest levels.
Currently competing in the Hankook Tires Junior FIA European Rally Championship, Aoife’s impressive application, including a detailed CV and a promotional video, secured her spot in this elite group. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I’m giving it everything I’ve got,” said Aoife, who is the only Irish driver to make the final assessment.
Next, Aoife will head to an intensive training camp at M-Sport Poland from September 16-18, where she’ll undergo rigorous assessments, including gravel and tarmac driving, pacenote-making skills, and media training. The programme will then narrow down to three drivers, who will compete in the Central European Rally this October, with the ultimate prize being a fully-supported 2025 Junior World Rally Championship entry.
Aoife expressed her gratitude to her family, friends, and the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy for their support, saying, “I wouldn’t be here without them.” This weekend, she continues her Junior FIA European Rally Championship campaign at Rally Ceredigion in Wales, buoyed by a class win at the Ulster Rally.
Aoife Raftery is supported by Des Lyons Plant | Kenny (Peugeot) Galway | O’Neill O’Malley Architects and Project Managers | Loughrea Auto Parts | Craughwell Tyre Centre | Sean Fleming Motors | Quinn Hardware |KG Motorsport | Kerry Motorsport News
