Galway TV star is all revved up

Karen Feeney made a name for herself in the testosterone-charged world of motorsport but the stunning blonde has recently been making an impact in front of the cameras as the presenter of RPM Superbike on UTV.

The 26-year-old from Tirellan Heights on the Headford Road is a rally driver and a driving instructor at the Mondello Park Racing School, who will return to our TV screens when she presents the upcoming series of RPM Superbike. Karen got her break on RPM in unexpected circumstances, after she won the Mondello Park Grid Girl Search in 2010.

“It was never meant to be a prize before it, but they turned around to me afterwards and asked me if I would like to present the programme,” Karen told the Galway City Tribune.

“I thought someone was pulling my leg! But I said yeah anyway. It was a great opportunity. Mondello have given me great opportunities in the past two years so I really appreciated it.

“I couldn’t believe that they even considered me for it. They put me in contact with RPM and we took it from there.”

She presented RPM Superbike last year although initially it was a big transition going from driving to presenting a television show.

“I can tell you that being in front of the camera is much more stressful, especially when you get people crowding around, watching and wondering ‘What’s she doing over there?’” You start getting really nervous! As the year went on, I got much more confident so I’m really looking forward to this year.”

RPM was a favourite in the Feeney household and it was a thrill for Karen to present the motorsport institution.

“I’ve watched RPM all my life. With the rally, we would always stay up late to watch it. It was always a thrill when we were kids to watch the rallies. It’s great to finally be on the other side of the camera and presenting it.”

The world of motorsport may be dominated by men, but Karen’s family background sparked her interest at an early age.

“My family was always big into motorsport. My Dad and my uncles started to rally years ago. We were all kind of into it.”

“I started when I was 17. I borrowed my brother’s car as he had already been racing. So, I started with the circuit down in Tynagh, the go-karting track. They have sprints there. Then I did the Hill Climb Championship in 2010.”

Karen subsequently taught rally driving at the Silverstone Rally School before becoming a part-time instructor at the Mondello Park Racing School when the distance to Silverstone proved problematic.  

“I started teaching in Silverstone in their rally school. I just found that the commute was too much so I got a job in Mondello. It’s great. I really enjoy working there.”

It was also at Mondello Park that she developed her love for bikes.“My uncles had bikes so I was always around them as a kid but I was always kind of wary of them. I got to really love them up in Mondello. Now I’m fascinated with them.

“Obviously RPM and I got together last year and we recorded the programme together. This year we’re hoping to get even bigger and better.”

She is still actively involved in rallying although she admits that she would love to participate on a more regular basis.

“I’m still involved in the rallying. I don’t get involved in as many as I’d like but I’m hoping to maybe get back doing the rally around September, around the end of the season.”

Rallying may be a passion for Karen but she admits that it is an expensive one.

“That’s for sure. I kind of wish Dad had taken up knitting or something!”

For more, read this week's Galway City Tribune.