Aoife Raftery
Rally racing // Galway, Ireland
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Aoife Raftery, from Craughwell, Galway, Ireland, is a rising star in motorsport. She became the first female to lead a Junior British Rally Championship round. Raftery is part of the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy and has competed in events like the Hankook Tires Junior FIA European Rally Championship. She received the JJ Fleming Perpetual Cup and the Rosemary Smith Award. Raftery was selected for the FIA Beyond Rally Women’s Talent Spotting Programme, showcasing her talent and dedication.
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It was a great honour to have John Haugland and his wife Julie support me in Sweden.
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FULL BIO: Aoife Raftery
Irish motorsports racer Aoife Raftery has made an impressive mark in rally racing, emerging as one of the most promising female drivers in the European circuit through her achievements in the FIA Junior European Rally Championship and beyond.
EARLY YEARS
Born in County Galway, Ireland, Aoife was raised in a family deeply immersed in motorsports, with her brother Dean Raftery being a significant influence as a winner of the prestigious Billy Coleman Award. Growing up as the third of four siblings, she began learning to drive in a field at just 11 years old and was changing tires by age 13 at her family’s Craughwell Tyre Centre business. A pivotal moment came in 2020 when she visited the Canaries to watch her first European-style rally event, which sparked her determination to become a professional rally driver—a goal she pursued intently during the COVID-19 pandemic.
EARLY SUCCESS
Aoife began her competitive racing career in 2021 with her debut at the Nicky Grist Stages in Wales. After joining the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy in 2022, her trajectory accelerated significantly. In 2023, she competed in both the FIA Junior European Rally Championship and various national events, showcasing her versatility. A significant breakthrough came when she dominated the class battle at the 2024 Irish Tarmac Rally Championship-counting Ulster Rally, leading from start to finish in her Peugeot 208 Rally4 and securing an impressive 24th overall position.
NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS
- 2023: Debuted in the Hankook Tires Junior FIA European Rally Championship while also competing in events across Ireland and Britain[1].
- 2023: Secured a class win in the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship-counting Ulster Rally and third-place finish in the Cambrian Rally[1].
- 2024: Selected as one of 15 female drivers for the World Rally Championship’s Beyond Rally Women’s Driver Development Programme[2][4].
- 2024: Won the inaugural Rosemary Smith Award at the Motorsport Ireland Awards Luncheon[4].
- 2024: Named Galway Motor Club’s champion driver and recipient of the JJ Fleming Perpetual Cup[1].
REPUTATION
As a member of the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy, Aoife has established herself as a rising star whose talent transcends national boundaries. Her selection as one of just 15 female drivers globally for the WRC’s Beyond Rally Women’s Driver Development Programme solidifies her standing among elite female racers. The prestigious Galway Bay Sports Star award in Motorsport further recognizes her exceptional performances throughout 2024, while her position as the first female driver accepted into the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy demonstrates her groundbreaking role in a traditionally male-dominated sport.
FUTURE GOALS/PLANS
For 2025, Aoife aims to secure a fully supported Junior World Rally Championship entry through her participation in the Beyond Rally Women’s Driver Development Programme. She will continue competing at international events with PCRS Rallysport support, focusing on gaining more experience across diverse terrain types while serving as a Motorsport Ireland Road Safety Ambassador promoting the “Keep the Race in its Place” campaign.
References:
Aoife Raftery’s first Irish Tarmac Rally Championship class win
Rallying brings Raftery from Craughwell to Canaries
Triple header for Galway rally driver Aoife Raftery
Ireland’s Aoife Raftery honoured with selection
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