Racing driver takes to Dundalk roads for driving test on new RTE show

Racing driver Hanna Celsie took to Dundalk’s roads for the RTE show, ‘The Random Driving Test’.

The Random Driving Test is a new series for RTÉ One that’s hosted by Irish comedian and presenter PJ Gallagher

The series visits 12 different driving test routes around Ireland, challenging experienced licensed drivers from all walks of life to get back in the test seat and prove they still have what it takes.

Each driver starts with €1,000. For every fault, they lose €100. If they clock up nine faults, they fail and leave with nothing. But if they keep their faults below nine, they keep the cash.

Hanna said: “It was a great experience to be examined again, but it feels exactly like your first test all over again.

“It’s good to remind yourself about everything that you're taught in your lessons and everything before your test.”

Hanna’s first driving test was seven years ago and she said that she was a nervous wreck at the time.

Hanna went in with no lessons or practice before the test this time.

“I was nervous because I’m always nervous when it comes to tests, but I did some meditation and thought ‘I’m a racecar driver, it'll be fine’.”

Keeping a close eye on the test was Brian Harnett – a former senior RSA tester who has conducted over 25,000 driving tests.

Hanna has represented Ireland in races in the UK and Dubai.

She said her entire life she has felt a connection to cars.

“I’ve grown up around cars my whole life.

“My dad is a mechanic and I grew up playing video games with race cars like Need for Speed.

“It’s always been an interest of mine, I’d always go with my dad if he had a car that needed fixing.

“I’d be handing him the tools, looking at the cars and asking questions.

“When I was growing up the general view was that girls can’t be racing drivers, but once I got my foot in the door I knew this was where I wanted to be.

“When I was asked to represent Ireland I had to do a lot of tests, but the fact I was chosen to represent the country was just something else.

“It proved that if you love something enough, you can make it happen.

“I was over the moon for a good few months afterwards, it was a such a prideful feeling that you just can’t replicate.

“Then when it came to the all-female race in Dubai it wasn’t even a personal thing, I just thought ‘I want to win this for my country’.”

Tune in to RTE One tonight at 7pm to find out Hanna’s result in The Random Driving Test..

Follow Hanna’s racing career on her Instagram page here.