TALK TIME: First of all, I should ask how you first got involved in rallying?My father owns a garage in Letterkenny and he would have dabbled in the sport a bit himself in the 1980s. So, I suppose my own involvement would have stemmed from mucking about with him in the garage and going along to rallies with him. But it's funny – I have two sisters and a brother and, of the four of us, I'm the only one that ever took that interest, writes Eoin Butler
I'm amazed to learn that you started driving at just eight years old. Could you even see over the steering wheel at that age?No, I couldn't (laughs). We were at a field belonging to my father. My older sister was about 11 and she was driving, so of course, I had to get my turn, too. There were no cushions available to hand, so I had to sit on top of a pile of coats! My sister hated it. She'd get frustrated when she couldn't get the hang of things. But I had a blast and just wanted to do it again and again.
At 17 you competed in the Shell Donegal International alongside top drivers such as the late Colin McRae. That must have been pretty daunting? It was. I was the youngest competitor ever to finish the event. In fact, I'm pretty sure I was the youngest driver ever to hold an international rally licence. And, of course, I was the only woman in the race. But I don't think I realised the full extent of what I was doing at the time. It's only when the likes of you remind me about it now that I sort of think, "Wow, that was amazing all right!"
You come across as a very mild-mannered person. What happens when you get behind that wheel?Everything runs through your head. You picture yourself finishing the rally and maybe winning your class. Then you think of the risks and some of bad things that could happen. You'd read over your notes about the stage ahead. Then you'd speak to yourself, tell yourself to focus. I wouldn't say it's a complete personality transplant, but you do become a more determined person once you get into that car.
Do the male drivers accept you as an equal?I think they've come to accept me. When I first started competing . . . I wouldn't say they didn't take me seriously, but they probably didn't see me as a threat. They might have thought, "She's only 17. She's only a wee girl. She's not going to be that good." But it's three years on now, and I'm getting better and better. Every rally I do makes me more determined to become a professional driver. So I'd say they're taking heed of me now.
Away from rallying . . . If you don't mind me asking, do you have many penalty points on your licence?None, touch wood.
What kind of insurance premium does a 20-year-old rally driver pay?Luckily for me, I'm working for my father at the moment, so I come in under the general garage insurance. I've no idea what the premium would be if I was insuring it myself.
Last time the World Rally Championships came to Ireland, the event was watched by 62 million people in 180 countries. It's just a week away now, are you getting nervous?I can't wait! Everybody's talking about it and the hype is building up. I just want it to hurry up and happen now, I'm getting tired of waiting. In 2007, I didn't finish the event. I crashed out, so I suppose finishing would be my main goal this year. But, honestly, I'd love to be at the top of my own class. I think I've got a chance.
Rally Ireland 2009 takes place from January 30th to February 1st. www.rallyireland.org