Podiums are the buzzword for Aoife Raftery right now.
The DirtFish Women in Motorsport driver secured one at last month’s Olympus Rally, was cruelly denied one at last week’s Rally Hungary in the Junior ERC, and is seeking another at this weekend’s Oregon Trail Rally.
The Irishwoman is as busy as ever, jumping between the Peugeot 208 Rally4 she rallies in Europe and the DirtFish Subaru WRX she’s campaigning in the States.
But there’s a tinge of disappointment as she reflects on a seventh place finish that could’ve been so much more last week.
“I think for me, I showed the best pace I’ve had so far in the Juniors,” Raftery tells DirtFish, reflecting on her Hungarian result.
“Our stage times were really improving so there’s something really positive to take from that; we were actually fighting for and holding third in the Juniors. But on Sunday morning, unfortunately, there was a small hole in the radiator which caused the coolant to leak. We had to stop on the stage and let the water pressure come down. We lost over six minutes which dropped us back to seventh.
“It’s really mixed feelings because we consistently showed we had the pace, but when a weekend is looking that promising, it’s really hard to take when it doesn’t work out because I think we were deserving of it. We were third place on pace alone, not because someone had any problems.
“I really want to say thank you to the HRT Racing team and Hannah [McKillop, co-driver] who did a fantastic job all weekend.”
Raftery was set for a Junior ERC podium before a cooling issue hit her Peugeot in Hungary last week
However the 24-year-old’s speed did not go unnoticed, and she’s looking to carry that into this weekend’s Oregon Trail Rally, round four of the ARA National Championship presented by Kubota. Her target this week is to match, if not beat, her standout result of a L4WD podium third place on her four-wheel drive debut in Olympus.
“This weekend I want to have a really strong result, that’s the aim,” says Raftery.
“It was good to get the podium last time, but I think the roads here at Oregon Trail Rally will suit the Subaru a bit better. They’re a lot faster stages and a little less technical, which I think with the weight of the Subaru will be an advantage.
“And with my own experience of getting to know the car and doing a second rally with Krista [Skucas, co-driver], there’s something in the backpack now that we can put together and use to our advantage.
Raftery was taking tips from the best when she caught up with triple ARA champion Brandon Semenuk at Olympus
“To be back on the podium is the goal this weekend and hopefully we can get at least one step higher if not two! We’ll just see how it goes.”
Raftery is benefiting from extra seat-time at DirtFish Rally School this week, ahead of the three-day event
“Coming to DirtFish Rally School for the test ahead of the rally is ideal for me,” she explains, “and for drivers who want the seat time because there’s so many different and good roads here that we can use for testing.
“It’s the best way to get a good feeling in the car and give it a shakedown from the last rally before we head to the next. Driving at the School gets me in the zone and irons out any problems that could have serious consequences on the rally.”
Raftery will, undoubtedly, be one of the stars of the show at Oregon, but also the week after when she joins a star-studded panel at the DirtFish Women in Motorsport Summit, held at LeMay – America’s Car Museum on Saturday May 24.
“To be a DirtFish Women in Motorsport driver is a dream come true – I still can’t believe it,” Raftery beams. “When I say it or when I see my name next to DirtFish, it’s quite special. To actually get this chance and work with Josie [Rimmer, WiM coordinator] and Michele [Abbate, WiM driver] is special. We’re here to grow women in motorsport but we’re also here to show that we can do it.
“To be staying on after Oregon for the DirtFish Women in Motorsport Summit is so exciting as there’s some fantastic guest speakers involved – to be a part of it is such an honor. It’s going to be an inspirational day and one not to miss.”
