Strong Female Representation Highlights Weekend Action Across Rallying and Circuit Racing
Female drivers and co-drivers delivered notable results across multiple motorsport disciplines last weekend, highlighted by podium finishes on the Cork 20 Rally, history-making performances in circuit racing, and international championship leads.
On the Cork 20 Rally, the final round of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship, Catherine Walsh and Ava O’Driscoll produced a standout display in the Junior category. The pair mounted an impressive drive to climb from fifth place up to second overall, securing maximum championship points and taking the lead in the Southern 4 Rally Championship.
The Junior podium featured strong female presence, with Sophie Byrnes claiming third overall alongside driver Darragh Mullins. In the Historic class, Grace Walsh achieved a successful result co-driving for her father, Peadar Walsh. They were joined on the event by co-drivers Avarina Jeffreys, Megan Costello, and Natasha Murphy, who all successfully navigated the demanding Cork stages.
In circuit racing, Róisín Sweeney made history at Kirkistown in the Formula Sheane Championship. The former karting competitor, in her first season in the category, secured a second-place finish before taking a race victory—becoming the first female driver to win a Formula Sheane race since the class was established over 20 years ago.
Overseas, Nicole Drought kept up her strong title push at Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Spain during the latest round of the Iberian Supercars Endurance Championship. Sharing driving duties with Lucas Fothergill, the duo secured runner-up finishes in the GTX Am class across both races, maintaining their position at the head of the championship standings ahead of November’s fixture in Jerez.
In rallycross, Leah McManus extended her lead in the BTRDA BMW Mini Championship following the 5 Nations BRX event at Pembrey in Wales. Driving her signature orange R53 Mini Cooper, McManus picked up two second-place finishes and a race win. A post-race penalty later rescinded a second victory in Sunday’s final, but her points haul preserves her championship lead going into the season finale at Lydden Hill on November 7–8.
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