Craughwell rally driver Aoife Raftery made history in April, becoming the first Irish competitor, male or female, to drive an electric rally car in competition. Contesting the opening round of the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup 2025 at the ADAC Actronics Rallye Sulingen in Germany, she achieved an impressive eighth-place finish with co-driver Hannah McKillop.
Now supported by Opel Ireland, Raftery returns for the fourth round of the Cup at the ADAC Saarland-Palatinate Rally in Germany on August 15 to 16. This will be her first time competing on former World Rally Championship stages, renowned for their challenging asphalt roads.
The ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup, the world’s first electric rally brand cup, began in 2021 to promote sustainable motorsport and nurture young talent. All competitors drive identical Opel Corsa Rally Electric cars, 100 kW (136 hp ) with 260 Newton metres of torque, ensuring a level playing field. Reliable and fast, the Corsa Rally Electric has proven its suitability for rallying’s tough demands.
Since its launch, the Cup has attracted 63 drivers from 13 nations, competing in 33 races across six countries. Raftery’s debut was not only her first electric rally but also her first German rally.
"There was a lot to learn," said Rafterty. "I was really satisfied with the good performance of the Corsa Rally Electric, especially the high grip level that the car offers. It's important to take the speed with you and let the car run. We will benefit from that newfound experience in the next round and indeed in other rallies. We felt very comfortable in the Cup during the opening round. Everything is well organised, all crews have the same material, so everything is fair.
The ADAC Saarland-Palatinate Rally begins Friday at 16:25 CEST with four special stages. Saturday’s schedule features six more before the finish in Sankt Wendel at 18:35 CEST.
This round will also see the debut of the new battery-electric Opel Mokka GSE Rally, the first rally car built to FIA eRally5 regulations. Driven by Opel racing legend Volker Strycek with co-driver Conny Nemenich, the Mokka delivers 207 kW (280 hp ) and 345 Newton metres of torque, offering spectators a glimpse into rallying’s electric future.
Raftery sees the event as another step in her development: "It was a great experience. I'm really looking forward to competing for a second time in the 2025 cup."
