The Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy’s rising star, Aoife Raftery, will make a special appearance at Munster Technological University (MTU) in Tralee on Monday, November 4, delivering a guest lecture as part of an extended collaboration between Kerry Motor Club and MTU. The timing of Raftery’s visit aligns perfectly with the Rose Hotel Kerry Winter Rally, taking place the day before, on Sunday.
Adding to the excitement, this year marks the first time the rally’s service park will be based at MTU, offering students an up-close look at the rally operations. Earlier in 2024, MTU’s North Campus was selected as one of three potential sites to host a World Rally Championship (WRC) round, should the iconic series return to Ireland—a project that both the university and Kerry Motor Club are heavily invested in.
Raftery’s visit to MTU serves as a unique opportunity for students to learn from an emerging talent. As the first and only female driver in the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy, Raftery’s career in the Junior FIA European Rally Championship (ERC)—one step below the WRC—has cemented her reputation as a driver to watch.
Her recent third-place finish in the Junior British Rally Championship segment of the Cambrian Rally in Wales further underscores her growing international stature. On Monday, she will offer students insights into her journey and provide a deeper look into the mechanical, technical, and mental challenges of international rallying.
“I’m really excited to be talking to the students at MTU about rallying and what’s involved mechanically and technically behind the scenes,” Raftery shared ahead of the event. “A lot of work goes into the engineering side of rallying, and I’m looking forward to being able to give an insight to the students into what’s involved.”
Bridging academics with motorsport expertise
Raftery’s appearance resonates across all three of MTU’s schools. During her visit, she will engage with students from the School of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), discussing her experience with engineering, data analysis, and mechanics, crucial elements in her success as a driver.
She collaborates closely with engineers from PCRS Rallysport and Broderick Motorsport to optimise the performance of her Peugeot 208 Rally4. Students will gain insights into how data-driven decisions help her team fine-tune the car’s handling and reliability for each rally stage.
The logistical demands of international rallying will also be explored, offering valuable lessons for students from MTU’s School of Business, Computing, and Humanities. Topics like event management, business acumen, and sponsorship strategies are integral to maintaining a competitive presence on the international stage.
For students in the School of Health and Social Sciences, Raftery will dive into the role of sports science, fitness, and nutrition in her daily routine. Maintaining peak physical fitness and mental strength is essential in a sport as demanding as rallying. This makes Raftery an ideal role model for students studying fields related to sports performance and psychology.
Anne Looney, External Services Manager at MTU, expressed her excitement for the event, stating: “We are delighted to welcome Aoife to MTU and appreciate her time in delivering this guest lecture. This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to hear from a professional driver on all the aspects involved in motorsport—from data analytics to engineering and event management, and physical fitness and sports psychology—all of which closely align with our course provision.”
A day packed with learning and engagement
Raftery’s itinerary at MTU includes lunchtime talks and a photo session at the Kerry Sports Academy in the afternoon. Additionally, she will explore the university’s virtual reality suite, where MTU’s road safety demonstrator will be showcased. This experience ties into her role as a road safety ambassador for Motorsport Ireland and the Road Safety Authority (RSA), where she promotes the “Keep the Race in Its Place” campaign.
Her message of safety and responsibility aligns seamlessly with her work in motorsport, and the opportunity for students to meet an advocate of safe driving alongside a professional rally driver offers an inspiring learning moment.
A stellar 2024 season
Raftery’s 2024 season has been marked by several standout performances. She secured a fourth-place finish in Rally Hungary and impressed at the Rally Islas Canarias, Rally Latvia, and the Royal Rally of Scandinavia in Sweden. Closer to home, she celebrated a class win at the Ulster Rally in August, further demonstrating her versatility across different terrains and competitions.
Her momentum continues into the weekend with the Rose Hotel Kerry Winter Rally, where the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy driver is set to be one of the standout participants.
Building momentum towards the WRC in Tralee
The Rose Hotel Kerry Winter Rally is an essential step in Tralee’s long-term ambitions to host a round of the World Rally Championship. The rally weekend will showcase the region’s capacity for world-class motorsport, as MTU and Kerry Motor Club continue their efforts to attract the WRC to Ireland.
Ahead of Sunday’s event, Sean Hegarty, Clerk of the Course, shared his enthusiasm: “I’m just delighted to be welcoming Aoife to Tralee for The Rose Hotel Kerry Winter Stages Rally. And we’re looking forward to hearing about her journey with the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy and her experiences in the Junior FIA European Rally Championship.”
As MTU opens its doors to one of Ireland’s most promising rally drivers, students are set for a day of invaluable learning, inspiration, and insight. With motorsport, education, and community engagement converging, the collaboration between Kerry Motor Club, MTU, and Aoife Raftery embodies the spirit of Irish rallying’s future.
The road to the WRC in Tralee starts here.