Nicole Drought

Nicole Drought is Ireland’s top female racing driver who has achieved numerous firsts for women in motorsport, including becoming the first woman to win in the Irish Touring Cars, the UK Citroen C1 Challenge, and the UK EnduroKA series.

EARLY YEARS

Born and raised in Ireland, Nicole grew up surrounded by motorsport, largely influenced by her father Owain’s passion for rallying. Her childhood was filled with family days out supporting her father’s racing activities, where she would cling to ditches and peer over hedges to watch the cars race by[1]. Her earliest driving experiences came on her grandparents’ land, where she practiced advancing up lanes and reversing down, developing skills that would later serve her racing career[1][5].

EARLY SUCCESS

Nicole’s racing journey began with formative experiences at circuits like Mondello Park, Kirkistown, and Bishopscourt, where she quickly progressed to securing her first podium finishes[4]. Her breakthrough came when she became the first woman to win races in the Irish Touring Cars championship, showcasing her natural talent and determination. She also found success in rallycross and endurance racing, demonstrating versatility across different racing disciplines[3]. A significant achievement was clinching the overall MSVT Trackday Championship title at Brands Hatch in 2024, driving a Honda Civic Type R for Motion Motorsport[2].

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2016: First woman to win in the Irish Touring Car Championship, taking victory in the Production Class in her Honda Integra[4].
• 2016: Voted Irish Sportswoman of The Year at sportswomen.ie[4].
• 2018-2019: Class 1A Endurance Trial Champion[4].
• 2019: Dominated the Strykers Championship with six wins from six starts[4].
• 2019: Drove the ex-Derek Daly Guinness sponsored March 811 Formula 1 car at the Historic Festival at Mondello Park[4].
• 2020: Drove the Jordan 193 Formula 1 car at Palm Beach International Raceway in Florida[4].
• 2020: Won three races and secured five podiums in the Britcar Endurance Championship with co-driver Sean Doyle[4].
• 2024: Secured the MSVT Trackday Championship title at Brands Hatch[2].

REPUTATION

Nicole has established herself as a trailblazer in motorsport, breaking barriers as the first woman to win in multiple racing series. Her versatility across different racing formats has earned her recognition as Ireland’s top female racing driver[1][2]. Beyond her racing achievements, she is known for her commitment to promoting safety in motorsport as the Irish Ambassador for the Sean Edwards Foundation. Her success has made her an inspiration for young girls aspiring to careers in motorsport, demonstrating that gender is not a barrier to achievement in racing[4].

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

Nicole aims to compete in prestigious racing series such as the European Le Mans Series (ELMS), with the ultimate goal of someday racing at iconic endurance events like the Daytona 24 Hours or Le Mans 24 Hours[2][3]. She remains committed to advocating for increased female participation in motorsport through her involvement with initiatives like 20×20.ie and Formula Female, which aim to empower young girls to pursue careers in motorsport and STEM fields[2][3]. Despite setbacks, including the disruption of her three-year deal with CJJ Motorsports due to the pandemic, she is determined to continue progressing in her racing career and honoring the legacy of her late mentor, John Campion[2][3].

References:

With speed in her DNA, Nicole Drought continues fast track to the top
Nicole Drought secures MSVT Trackday Championship title at Brands Hatch
About Nicole
Women in Sport: Motor racing driver Nicole Drought
Nicole Drought continues fasttrack to the top

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