AOIFE RAFTERY Returns to ADAC Opel Electric Rally After Making Irish History

August 14, 2025

by Seán Creedon // from avondhupress.ie

GRRL! SUMMARY:

AOIFE RAFTERY made Irish motorsport history by becoming the first Irish competitor—male or female—to drive an electric rally car in competition at the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup’s opening round in Germany. Partnered with co-driver HANNAH MCKILLOP, she quickly adapted to the 136hp Opel Corsa Rally Electric and delivered an impressive eighth-place overall finish, proving that when you give talented drivers equal equipment, they’ll show you exactly what they’re capable of.
The Craughwell driver returns to the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup for round 4 at the ADAC Saarland-Palatinate Rally on August 15-16, bringing valuable experience from her groundbreaking debut. This time she’ll tackle former World Rally Championship stages on asphalt—the same roads that hosted WRC Germany from 2002-2019. It’s exactly the kind of high-level experience that builds championship-caliber drivers, and RAFTERY is positioning herself right where the action is.
What we love about RAFTERY’s approach is her focus on the technical advantages of electric rally cars rather than getting caught up in novelty factor. She specifically praised the Corsa Rally Electric’s grip levels and emphasized the importance of carrying speed—showing she understands that electric doesn’t mean different driving fundamentals, just different power delivery. Her partnership with MCKILLOP in this one-make series proves that when the playing field is truly level, talent rises to the top regardless of background or nationality.