Episode 15: Danielle Murphy

The Breifne Earley Show

This week the Queen of Europe joins Breifne Earley on the podcast to talk about her life as a champion racing driver on the European Drift Racing circuit. She tells us about the teenage transition from equestrian events into a petrol head and taking on the best of Europe. Twice the champion of the women's circuit, Murphy shares the stories about the challenges faced by a woman in what is generally seen as a man's world, learning how to strip and refit an engine by watching videos on Youtube and dealing with the jealousy of the attention her heels brought to the track. The logistics of keeping a competitive car on the road across Europe places a large financial strain on Murphy with minimal sponsors in her corner, she has travelled around the entire continent on a shoestring, leaving Ireland, knowing she doesn't have the money to get home from that event, but finding the means to make it happen. She opens up about dealing with the insecurities and jealousy of her rivals where the bullying behaviour was so openly bad towards her that other mechanics at the event felt the need to check her truck's brakes before she left the event. Murphy's route to success, especially given the obstacles in her way, is hugely impressive and will not fail to impress anyone listening to the show.