AOIFE RAFTERY Makes AWD Rally Debut with DirtFish Women in Motorsport Program

March 24, 2025

GRRL! SUMMARY:

AOIFE RAFTERY becomes the first DirtFish Women in Motorsport Driver to compete stateside, trading her European Rally Championship experience for American soil in a Subaru WRX STI. The 24-year-old Irish driver will make her all-wheel drive rally debut at next month’s Olympus Rally, marking a significant career milestone that demonstrates how international talent exchange is elevating women’s rally programs.
Her test session at DirtFish’s Snoqualmie facility clearly impressed coordinator JOSIE RIMMER, who noted RAFTERY’s immediate comfort with the WRX and progressive speed improvements throughout the day. The program represents a first for both driver and organization – no one has previously run dual campaigns in both American Rally Association and European Rally Championship, creating unprecedented visibility for women’s rally talent across two continents.
Beyond the four-rally American campaign including Olympus, Oregon Trail Rally, Tour de Forest, and Mike Nagle Rally, RAFTERY will serve as an ambassador for DirtFish Women in Motorsport, appearing at their May summit and related events. This dual role of competitor and advocate positions her to influence the next generation while proving Irish drivers can excel at America’s highest rally levels alongside established names like MICHELE ABBATE.