Vee Challenge – to race a Banger car
Name – Martine Laverty
Age – 20
Job – Student
Home – Ireland
I had always navigated alongside either one of my parents in rallies in either our Ford KA or the Peugeot 206. And if you're going to ask who drives better - Mum drives safely, but efficiently, whereas my father simply goes for it.
Name – Martine Laverty
Age – 20
Job – Student
Home – Ireland
I had always navigated alongside either one of my parents in rallies in either our Ford KA or the Peugeot 206. And if you're going to ask who drives better - Mum drives safely, but efficiently, whereas my father simply goes for it.
Although I must say my mother and I make the best team; we have beaten my father and my younger brother in a rally. So that settles one argument in the Laverty household... women driver better. However, I had yet to take the driving reins in the rally car, due to my deafness. It's absolutely vital that a driver can understand the directions coming from a navigator. I would definitely go for it if I had the right equipment to support me with my navigator. But it costs money, and a lot of it.
So when I was asked to do this VEE Challenge, I was absolutely exhilarated. I knew it was definitely going to be exciting and fast, and not for the faint hearted. Rookie Bangers, is different to rallying, mainly that there is contact between cars, and a lot of it. And you do not need a navigator for that. When I came to the starting line of the heat, my heart, lungs and my stomach was in my throat as I was revving, but as the green light came on, the 'Laverty' side in me got racing. After being 'beaten up' in the heat, I was surprised I made it to the final, and even more surprised that my car could manage it, which was shuffling along slowly now. The effects were felt in the final, the car wasn't as fast, and it died out very easily once I was knocked about by other cars. I have never been so shaken in my life after doing Rookie Bangers, but I am even more proud to go back to the Laverty household and declare myself a tough, fast, nerves of steel driver, and with an 'I can do it' attitude!
So when I was asked to do this VEE Challenge, I was absolutely exhilarated. I knew it was definitely going to be exciting and fast, and not for the faint hearted. Rookie Bangers, is different to rallying, mainly that there is contact between cars, and a lot of it. And you do not need a navigator for that. When I came to the starting line of the heat, my heart, lungs and my stomach was in my throat as I was revving, but as the green light came on, the 'Laverty' side in me got racing. After being 'beaten up' in the heat, I was surprised I made it to the final, and even more surprised that my car could manage it, which was shuffling along slowly now. The effects were felt in the final, the car wasn't as fast, and it died out very easily once I was knocked about by other cars. I have never been so shaken in my life after doing Rookie Bangers, but I am even more proud to go back to the Laverty household and declare myself a tough, fast, nerves of steel driver, and with an 'I can do it' attitude!