Tipperary native Nicole Drought has competed in many motorsports including circuit racing, rallycross, rally and endurance racing. She was the first woman to win in Irish Touring Cars, the UK Citroen C1 Challenge and the UK EnduroKA series. Nicole has also had the privilege of driving two F1 cars and is the current Open Clubman Irish Rallycross Champion and leads the UK MSVR Championship.

Here she tells her sporting story so far…

Name: Nicole Drought

Profession: Irish racing driver

Earliest sporting memory?

My earliest sporting memory is watching my father rally as a child. I followed him around the country as he competed and fell in love with the sport. It is our shared passion and I am grateful for that.

How did you get into your sport?

It was my father and his involvement in sports that led me to develop this interest and refine my skills.

What message would you like to convey to young women and girls who are interested in a career as an athlete?

Believe in yourself, never stop following your dreams and always remember that you are capable of much more than you think!

Proudest moment so far…

I am very proud to be able to drive two F1 cars. It is an experience that very few people get to have and I never thought I would ever get the chance to drive one, let alone two!

The athlete I admire most is …

The late Rosemary Smith is the first person that springs to mind. She was a trailblazer for women in motorsport and someone I really looked up to. I met her on numerous occasions and she was truly inspirational.

My best sports memory …

I have to say that winning my first race was very special for me and a moment I will never forget.

Do you think there is still a stigma attached to women in sports?

There has been progress in this area over the last few years and we are definitely moving in the right direction. This is largely thanks to the incredible initiatives for women in sport such as 20×20 and the like. However, I think there is still a lot of work to be done and that is why it is important to open up the conversation about women in sport – the obstacles and the opportunities. That is exactly what I did last weekend at the Super Car Weekend in Dundrum Town Centre.

What is the biggest obstacle to greater visibility in women’s sport?

My sport is simply about numbers. I compete directly against men and women, but we are a large minority. But that is changing too, and a lot of young ladies are starting to get into races. I was able to help one or two this year and will continue to do so in the future, which is an exciting part of my career.

The biggest misconception in women’s sports is …

I think the biggest misconception is that it’s harder for women to get ahead. I agree that there are some obstacles, but there are also plenty of opportunities and plenty of people willing to support you and guide you in the right direction.

If I weren’t an athlete, I would be…

I would probably be a musician, I used to play the accordion, piano and drums!

My favorite meal before a race is…

I would say potatoes and turkey burgers. It’s a good mix of carbohydrates and proteins to fuel you before a competition.

My pre-race playlist includes…

“Army of One” by Bon Jovi.

My daily routine is …

Every day I either go to the gym, cycle or go for a run. Then I go to work and after work I always go for a walk. After that I usually do a bit of simulator training and then sleep, sleep, sleep!

My biggest sporting goal is…

One day I would like to race the Daytona 24 or Le Mans.

Sports brands I love (Irish or otherwise)…

Nike, Adidas and Under Armour are my absolute favorites. I can’t work out without wearing at least one of these brands.

The biggest effort to celebrate a victory …

I would opt for the classic champagne shower followed by a team meal to celebrate the victory.

How do you take care of your mental health?

It’s so important to look after your mental health, especially when you’re competing at such a high level. I find that listening to music and walking the dog always helps.

My three beauty products for the desert island are:

Lip balm, M = moisturizer and SPF!

I need at least 8 hours of sleep per night because….

Sleep is the key to recovery!

For me, self-confidence is…

Stand up tall and believe in yourself.

How do you get over a poor performance?

Firstly, I think it’s OK to wallow, but you need to give yourself a time frame and not let it take up too much time. Then you need to focus on the next event. Think about how you can do better at the next competition and what you can do differently to get a better result.

And finally, why is sport such an integral part of the community – at club, local, national and personal levels?

Sport brings people together like nothing else, through ups and downs. It’s a great way to meet more people and enjoy the sport you love together. We also can’t forget the health benefits of sport and how it can impact overall life expectancy and wellbeing on a national level. Overall, I think sport is a very valuable tool for life.

Nicole attended the Super Car Weekend at Dundrum Town Centre on Sunday 25th August where she took part in a panel discussion and discussed motorsport with former racing driver Leo Nulty and current racing drivers Kelsey Kirby and Laura Hannon.