Motorsport Ireland President and Rally Academy member Aoife Raftery visit MTU Tralee

6 Nov

Motorsport Ireland President Aiden Harper and Rally Academy member Aoife Raftery made a high-profile visit to Munster Technological University (MTU) Tralee on Monday.

The visit coincided with The Rose Hotel Kerry Winter Rally, which was held the previous day and used MTU's campus as its service park for the first time.

The event was a significant step towards a larger goal: bringing the World Rally Championship (WRC) to Ireland.

MTU Tralee has been shortlisted – along with venues in Waterford and Limerick - as a potential host location for the WRC.

The collaboration between the university and Winter Rally organiser Kerry Motor Club was another step in the process.

"We're working closely with the Major Bids Department, which is based in Killarney, to secure government funding," said President Harper. "Our dream is to have Ireland on the WRC calendar in 2026 or 2027. This is a major opportunity for the country, and we're determined to make it happen."

Raftery, the first female driver in the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy, shared her experiences in the Junior FIA European Rally Championship with MTU students.

"It was fantastic to be at MTU and to inspire the next generation of engineers, business leaders, and sports scientists," said Raftery. "Rallying is a complex sport that requires a wide range of skills, from driving and navigation to engineering and team management. I hope to encourage more young people to pursue their passions in motorsport."

Harper and Raftery also visited the university’s virtual reality suite where they were introduced to the school’s road safety demonstrator.

“I was very impressed with the road safety simulator, this should be rolled out to schools and colleges around the country and use it educate drivers in the dangers of using a mobile phone while driving and how speeding and lack of concentration are all contributory factors in road traffic accidents,” she said.

Raftery also recorded a road safety message on behalf Kerry County Council where she emphasised the importance of road safety, particularly for young drivers.

"I'm a strong advocate for the 'Keep the Race In Its Place' campaign," she said. "It's crucial to remember that driving is a serious responsibility, and we must always prioritise safety."

Other guests included Collete O’Connor of Tralee Chamber Alliance and Kerry County Council’s recently appointed road safety officer Declan Keogh.