Ciara Duggan is a rally driver and co-driver from Ireland. Her whole family is addicted to motorsports and in this interview she tells us about her passion.
Ciara, please introduce yourself.
My name is Ciara, I am 17 years old from Ireland and I am a Rally driver and more recently became a co-driver on a national level.
Can you tell us your career path?
Motorsport has always been in my life. my dad rallies, my brother drifts so i am always surrounded and always have been surrounded by cars. It’s in my blood.
I am currently doing my apprenticeship to become a mechanic which will hopefully lead me to become a mechanic for a world rally team.
What has had the biggest impact on improving your racing skills?
Hmmm…Probably seat time. Nothing can beat being in the hot seat and constantly learning. even the pros are always learning.
What was the most impressive moment of your career so far?
I wouldn’t say it’s impressive but nothing felt better then getting my first win.
What aspects of it do you love the most?
Motorsport, rallying particularly just acts as a sort of a safe space (quite funny considering how dangerous it can be) once the lights go out of the clock that’s it. There is only you, the road ahead and your co-driver. you do not have time to be thinking of anything else bar the next corner.
What tips do you have for beginners?
Determination and resilience. you will have a lot of men and women telling you, you cannot do that. Of course you can!! why would you be able to? You have to be that little bit more determined and use their words of negativity as motivation. if it was easy everybody would be doing it. Also enjoy it more than anything. if you are not enjoying it you are wasting your time but do not let the negativity people stop you enjoying yourself.
What are your sporting goals in the upcoming months or years?
Next year, i hope to step it up into bigger machinery and again go for the national championship and progress from there.
