curated by GRRL! updated: February 14, 2026

Bio Excerpt: Kari Bates carved out her space as a British rally navigator through sheer determination and steady nerves. Starting with junior events in 2015, she proved her mettle by 2017 with a podium-topping performance at Grizedale navigating a Ford Escort Mk2. Her 2018 international debut at Sol... (full bio below ↓↓)

Kari Bates

Rally racer

click to enlarge

Kari's Socials:

I never really had any desire to drive – I was happy to co-drive

Kari's Details:

nickname:

Birthday:

Unknown

Birthplace:

racing type:

Rally racing

series:

team(s):

racing status:

Pro

height:

residence:

inspiration(s):

guilty pLEASURES:

FOLLOWING:

FACTIOD:

GRRL! Number:

GRRL-1045

Kari's Sponsors:

Claim this profile to add your sponsor logos + links.

YOUR SPONSORS LOGOS HERE

Kari NEWS:

(1) news stories

HANNAH MCKILLOP & CHARLOTTE WAINWRIGHT Race Yorkshire’s Riponian Rally Field

February 13, 2026

Got a story we missed? Send us the URL!

load the next 10 stories...

Kari on YouTube:

Got a video we missed? Send us the URL!

load more videos...

Kari's full bio:

Kari Bates is a British rally navigator who has competed across the UK rally scene and internationally, making her mark as a steady co-driver in both historic and modern rally cars.

EARLY YEARS

Details about Kari Bates’ early life and birthdate are not publicly available in the research materials provided. What is known is that she developed her skills in rally navigation within the competitive UK rallying community, where she built her foundation as a co-driver.

OTHER INTERESTS

Information about Bates’ interests outside of motorsport has not been documented in available sources.

EARLY SUCCESS

Bates began establishing herself in the UK rally scene through events like the Solway Coast Junior Rally and various stage rallies across England and Scotland. By 2015, she was competing in junior events, gaining experience that would serve her well in more competitive machinery[1]. Her early navigation work helped her develop the precision and communication skills essential for success in rallying’s demanding environment. Like many navigators breaking into the sport, she cut her teeth on smaller regional events before progressing to higher-profile competitions.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

2015: Competed in the Solway Coast Junior Rally with driver Bill Bates[2].
2017: Navigated for Graham Haigh in a Ford Escort Mk2 at Grizedale, finishing on the podium’s top step[3].
2018: Made her international debut at Sol Rally Barbados, competing as a UK newcomer to the Caribbean island’s challenging stages[4].
2019: Competed at the Crail Summer Stages Rally in Scotland with driver Bill Bates[5].
2025: Returned to competition at the Jack Frost Stages Rally[6].
2025: Competed at the R Kings Down Rally[7].
2025: Participated in BCIC Rally Barbados, demonstrating her continued commitment to international rally competition[8].

INSPIRATIONS

Specific information about Bates’ motorsport inspirations and influences has not been documented in available sources.

REPUTATION

Bates has built a reputation as a reliable navigator who can adapt to different cars, drivers, and rally formats. Her ability to compete in both historic rally cars like the Ford Escort Mk2 and more modern machinery demonstrates versatility—a quality highly valued in the co-driver’s seat. The fact that she was selected as part of the Sol Rally Barbados UK contingent speaks to her standing within the British rally community[9]. Barbados Rally Club specifically highlighted her participation as part of their coverage of women in motorsport, recognizing her contribution to female representation in rallying[10]. Her podium finish at Grizedale in 2017 showed she could deliver results when it mattered, and her return to competition in 2025 after a gap suggests the sort of determination that keeps navigators coming back to a sport that demands absolute focus and nerves of steel.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

Based on her 2025 competition schedule, which included events like the Jack Frost Stages Rally, R Kings Down Rally, and BCIC Rally Barbados, Bates appears committed to maintaining an active presence in both UK and international rallying[11][12][13]. Her return to Barbados in 2025 suggests she may be focusing on building experience in overseas events alongside her domestic UK rally program.