In Conversation with Romanian Rally Driver Catherine Radulescu

Catherine Radulescu is a Romanian Rally Driver who’s flirted with the world of motorsport for a number of years before jumping right in back in 2021.

Not from a classical racing background, but having always had a love for cars, once Catherine was bitten with the racing bug, she knew that she wouldn’t be able to stop and would have to follow her dreams.

So that’s exactly what she’s done. 2023 proved to be as equally rewarding as it was challenging as she juggled her life on track with her personal life and we talked about that when we caught up recently, as well as what she finds the most difficult to deal with when inside the car and fully focused on the task in hand.

We also delved into her first ever race, why she wanted to get involved in rallying instead of an alternative racing category and much more.

Read our conversation in full below. I hope you enjoy it.

What first got you interested in the world of Motorsport?

Although I don’t come from a classic motorsport background, I have always had a passion for cars since I can remember.

Over the years, I had some dreams that lead to becoming a rally driver. My first wish was to get my driving license. I applied 6 months before turning of age and succeeded on my first time.

Second, I wanted so much to own a Honda Accord, it was my dream car which became real and I started thinking of practicing on the circuit for my own improvement and safety.

In 2016, I went on track a couple of times with Bogdan Minea, my current co-driver, as my coach. I really enjoyed it but at that time I couldn’t afford to continue training and learning, so I became a spectator at a few smaller events on track and hillclimbs to understand more.

From 2017 until 2021, I was completely absent, only focusing on my private life, health and business, but often thinking about my second dream car, a Honda Civic Type R which was gifted to me by my loving husband and which arrived in our family in April 2021.

I contacted Bogdan, I told him the car will be delivered and that I want him as my coach to go on track, do a full training and to participate at small events which allow street cars.

The big moment happened in August 2021, my debut in motorsport where I took my first start at Women Rally Championship after driving my Type R only twice on a small track. I won 1st place overall out of 56 and I was over the moon…a very special moment for me especially because I was so afraid. Right then I knew I didn’t want to stop and that I wanted more.

Why did you want to become a Rally Driver?

Shortly after my debut in a small track type competition, I decided I want to do this at a professional level. I knew I had to choose the hardest and most complex discipline in order to learn a lot in a very short period of time and to benefit from as many kilometers as possible.

I was 29 years old and I didn’t know anything about rallying…but I knew I wanted to have the courage not to let my fears become my limits. I received full support from my family and together with Bogdan Minea we planned, ordered and scheduled everything for us to take our first start as a rally crew in 2022 in Romania’s National Rally Championship. Bogdan taught me everything I know so far.

There are more and more women in motorsport, particularly in Rally. What has your experience been like in a male dominated sport and how welcome have you felt?

It is gratifying to see more and more women getting involved in motorsport, because sport in general is about bringing people together.

My experience overall has been good, I’ve always had the feeling that I am wanted, being 99% of the time the only female driver caught a lot of attention and even if I had better results than my male colleagues I was still encouraged to be there.

Like any man, a woman can find support in motorsport and in many situations a woman’s touch is important and can make a difference, but this doesn’t change the fact that we are built different and that it can be harder on a woman’s body to fulfill the same tasks as a man just because the level of strength is genetically different but again, this doesn’t mean women can not perform as good as a man in motorsport because of it.

At the end of the day we compete on the same stages, under the same rules, using the same cars/gear and it all comes down to who works more and develops better skills to compensate for its own weaknesses and overcome them.

Tell me about your first race.

My first rally race took place in the North of Romania at the Maramureșului Rally. I remember I was extremely nervous, very scared and I was asking Bogdan where he had brought me, what kind of roads were those and that the car could barely fit on them. I was like ” what did I put myself into?!?”. The weather conditions were tough and I experienced so much at my first race. I drove on rain, mud, cold freezing temperatures, icy asphalt, snow, fog, dirt, sand, rocks, uphill, downhill…all things except hot and sunny.

At the end of the rally I was blown away that I managed to finish the race on 3rd rookie place with the car in one piece experiencing such harsh weather conditions and this being my first time where I had to listen and follow my navigator. This first rally and podium made me feel very grateful and extremely happy I was able to do this.

Do you have a fun racing story that you can share?

Oh my god, lots! Sometimes I think that if I could rewind some of my rally moments I would think it’s a fun, exciting action packed comedy show!

I am not very accustomed to gravel and I was participating at the Iași Rally which has a well known jump over the crest. After reconnaissance I was telling my crew

“I will not jump, I have a beautiful life, I don’t have to take such risks, I love my puppies!”

Before this jump over the crest there is a very very long semi straight line, which felt longer than it was to drive it. I wasn’t used to not hearing Bogdan speaking, my arms felt like falling off, it was hard to keep the car on the road and at some point I asked :

“C: – Bogdan?!?
B: – Yes?!?
C: – Say SOMETHING!
B: – To say what?!
C: – What should I do? Is this any longer? Just say something, I’m getting nervous when you are quiet.
B: – Just drive, I’ll tell you when you have to jump.
C: – Jump what jump?! I am bouncing enough already, the road is taking me away!
B: Nobody took you anywhere, you are here with me.”

Then I had my first jump, a bit shy, I loved it! So the second time I went full gas! Since then, every time there is an airborne moment my crew imitates me ” I don’t jump, I have a beautiful life, I love my puppies!”

How has 2023 been for you and what are your plans for 2024?

2023 was very rewarding but so busy that it became extremely difficult to keep up with my work and family while being away so often competing in the European Rally Trophy Championship.

We managed to finish 3rd overall out of 332 crews and my favourite rally was Ina Delta in Croatia where I drove on partial WRC stages and I also managed to roll over on the last stage but luckily the car was functional; not great but we finished.
I am the first Romanian female rally driver to ever be on an international championship overall podium and also the first woman on the podium in the history of ERT championship.

2024 is still under discussions, working on our plan. I would love to make it a transitioning year from an RC5 to RC4 because we have both. I know I can still evolve on the RC5 but at the same time, I would like to start training on the RC4.

What is the most challenging thing you’ve had to overcome so far?

I can’t really put my finger on something in particular because I feel I had to overcome so many things which are interconnected.
Maybe my emotions are the biggest, I have a real struggle when I have to drive on a superspecial stage in the city because I am mortified that so many people are watching me and I find it very uncomfortable to receive such attention.

If you could race in any rally in any car, what would you choose?

I believe most of us would answer a Rally1 car, if I could drive one, I would choose the Toyota.

To be able to drive such a car….a lot of talent and skill is needed and I would have to go through all steps and all cars before the Toyota Yaris Rally1. Today if I would want to just start the engine I wouldn’t know how

A dream rally hmmm, I guess any rally where I could share the same stages with all the legendary crews would be a nice memorable race!

Would you rather sing in front of 1,000 people or dance?

Oh boy… my preference would be neither but if I had to choose I think dancing would be safer cause it wouldn’t affect anyone!