Setting The Pace: Aoife Rafferty's Path to Motorsport Stardom
When did your passion for rallying and interest in cars begin?
Growing up, I was always surrounded by cars – from working in a local tyre shop at 12, changing tyres, to going to rallies for as long as I can remember to support my dad and brother, who competed before me.
I was only ever there to watch, my main interests at the time were camogie and soccer. But some surgeries meant I couldn’t return to field sports, so I ended up co-driving in a rally. When I sat inside the rally car that the first time, I believed I could be a rally driver. In 2021, when I was 20, I competed in my first rally as a driver, the first round of the British Rally Championship.
What are the most rewarding and most challenging aspects of working in motorsports?
The lows are low, but the highs are incredible. It’s like being on a rollercoaster, always on the edge and never knowing what is coming next.
The most rewarding feeling you can get is being on the podium after a tough event. So much unseen hard work goes into it, with weeks of preparation before any rally. There is a massive amount of teamwork involved in rallying, and when we can get that result, it feels like it all paid off.
Challenging aspects are the risk of accidents and being able to bounce back afterwards. The toughest issue is often the financial cost of having an accident and being able to continue in your championship. An accident at some point in your career is unavoidable, though you’re pushing a car to its limits, with constantly changing conditions.
It’s like being on a rollercoaster, always on the edge and never knowing what is coming next.
What has been a recent career highlight?
One of my proudest moments was placing third overall in Tennessee at a round of the American Rally Championship. This was my first year competing in the United States and in only our third rally there, in a new car, with a new team.
It was a special one to remember. I was racing the likes of Travis Pastrana, a multiple American Rally Championship winner. Competing in the US has been such an exciting new experience, and being announced as a DirtFish Women in Motorsport driver earlier this year was incredible recognition of my progress and a huge step forward in my career.
Growing up in Craughwell, how has living in the West of Ireland shaped you?
I loved growing up in the West of Ireland. I loved the teams I was part of and the community.
Growing up, we were put to work at a young age in my family, and this really helped to shape me as a person today, both in how I talk to people and in ensuring I do the best job I can.
What do you enjoy doing when back in Galway?
I enjoy going out for dinner with friends and family. Galway at night is lovely and I don’t get fed up of that (when it’s not raining!).
Oranmore is not too far from me, so I like to visit The Thatch, the team there are great and have come on board with me this year to help support my rallying.
It’s so important to show what is possible and to encourage the next generation of younger girls that they too can do it. If they can see it, it makes it easier for them to believe in it.
You are passionate about encouraging more women into STEM and representing women in motorsport; who or what inspired and motivated you?
I am in a very male-dominated sport, with little representation for women in motorsport, whether that’s in competing or as mechanics, engineers, and similar roles. It’s so important to show what is possible and to encourage the next generation of younger girls that they too can do it. If they can see it, it makes it easier for them to believe in it.
Earlier this year I had the incredible opportunity to be a speaker at the iWish event in the RDS, Dublin. Over 7,000 female secondary school students attended, where I spoke about the role of STEM in motorsport and the career opportunities available.
And finally, what are you looking forward to this year?
I am looking forward to resetting and refocusing for next year. Over the winter, I will be working on my fitness and working on putting a budget together for 2026.
There is a lot of work behind the scenes to approach potential sponsors and to see who wants to be part of the journey. It’s an exciting time: I feel this year I have taken some big steps forward, and I hope to carry that momentum into 2026.
Aoife is supported by Spain’s Mini Bus and Coach Hire, O’Neill O’Malley Architecture, Loughrea Auto Parts, Cannon Concrete Oranmore, Lateralus B, Des Lyons Plant, Thatch Bar Oranmore, Kenny Galway, M. Fitzgibbon Contractors and PW Plant Sales.
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