Raftery is being assessed during a three-day evaluation, which concludes today (Wednesday), to decide the three recipients of a drive in a Ford Fiesta Rally3 on next month’s Central European Rally, the penultimate event of the 2024 FIA World Rally Championship. From there, one driver will be selected for a full FIA Junior WRC campaign in 2025.
Created by WRC Promoter, the Female Talent Development Programme is part of the company’s Beyond Rally initiative, which outlines its commitment to shaping the future of the sport. By focusing on key areas such as climate action, biodiversity protection, innovation, responsible management, and social impact, Beyond Rally is driving rallying towards a more sustainable future.
The three-day evaluation has been designed to test each participant’s driving skills, mechanical knowledge, and media presence. The drivers are undertaking a series of challenges, which range from practical and theoretical technical knowledge to the all-important driver evaluation on both asphalt and gravel.
Several skilled mentors are on hand in Poland, including 2023 FIA Junior WRC champion William Creighton and two-time Norwegian title winner Eyvind Brynildsen. Reeta Hämäläinen, the 2022 WRC2 champion co-driver, has been overseeing the pacenote, recce and regulation evaluations.
All modules are taking place under the watchful eye of an assembled panel who are responsible for selecting the three contestants to go forward to the Central European Rally. The panel is made up of Burcu Çetinkaya, chair of the FIA Women in Motorsport Commission, FIA WRC Rally Commission president Pernilla Solberg, M-Sport Poland managing director Maciej Woda, former WRC driver Isolde Holderied and WRC Promoter senior director of sport Peter Thul.
Twenty-three-year-old Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy driver Raftery said: “This programme will help raise awareness of the opportunities that exist for women and that they can compete at the highest level. It will also raise awareness at club and entry-level and encourage more young women into our motor clubs and the sport.”
The Female Talent Development Programme results will be announced at approximately 21:00 CET today (Thursday). Visit WRC.com and follow the WRC’s social media channels to find out more.
Japan
Poland
Turkey