24 January, 2025

Motorsport Ireland President Aidan Harper and Rally Academy member Aoife Raftery made a high-profile visit to Munster Technological University (MTU) in Tralee on Monday 4th November.

              Aoife Raftery, Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy Driver

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 Kerry Campus 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.

Pictured: Sean Moriarty, Kerry Motor Club; Aidan Harper, President of Motorsport Ireland; Ben Slimm, Marketing Officer, MTU; Sean Hegarty, Kerry Motor Club, Aoife Raftery, Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy Driver, Ciara Looney, Vice President for Corporate Affairs, MTU; Tim Daly, Head of Strategy & University Performance, MTU

"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 a road safety simulator. “I was very impressed with the road safety simulator, a great way of educating 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."

If you are interested in learning more about how your organisation can collaborate  with MTU staff students or researchers contact us on: extended.campusCork@mtu.ie