Sara driven by ambition

A Visually-impaired teen will compete in her first rally driving race later this month.

It is believed 17-year-old Sara Mcfadden, of Castlebar, Co Mayo, will be the country’s first navigator with the disability.

Despite having albinism, a congenital condition characterised by the total or partial absence of pigment in the skin, hair and eyes, Ms Mcfadden has excelled at sport. She is a qualified GAA coach and has a silver All Ireland camogie medal. Sara, whose mother was a rally driver, has been attending track events since she was just six weeks old.

Sara told the Irish Mirror: “You’re watching it all your life but don’t know what it’s like until you’re sitting in the front seat. The adrenaline is amazing.

“I don’t let it (my sight) hold me back. I’ve done everything I wanted to do and now it’s on to the next venture.”