Killucan motorsport official racing to top as F1 steward
A motorsport official from Killucan has been selected for the prestigious FIA High-Performance Programme in Madrid.
The programme helps participants to reach the pinnacle of officiating, and in the same week as International Women’s Day (March 8), it is fitting to share the news that Killucan mother of three Richa Mergulhao Oxley is one of 12 selected out of 300,000 motorsport officials worldwide to take part in an Elite Formula 1 Intensive Training Programme.
The programme is designed to develop top-tier stewards and race directors for Formula 1 and other FIA events around the world.
Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner, Richa said it is a significant step for her personally and for women in sport. Traditionally, there are fewer women than men involved in motorsport and in more recent years, there has been a big push to get more involved, she said.
Sport Ireland are celebrating Women in Sport Week to coincide with International Women’s Day, and Motorsport Ireland are running webinars and programmes to that end.
The FIA High-Performance Programme offers tailored training and development through the Stewards and Race Director Pathway, securing the future of top-tier motorsport officiating. Richa and the other participants in the Elite FIA High-Performance Training Programme will take part in training sessions and events across the globe, including at least four Formula 1 races.
Richa pointed out that “the majority of Formula 1 stewards currently are over the age of 65 and the organisation is trying to bring in younger blood, and that is what this programme is about”.
Richa was born and grew up in Dubai, where her first love was motorcycles. That passion led her to the race track and to motor racing.
She started her career in a “very, very junior” role with the motorsport department at the track in Dubai; and 10 years later, she was running the whole motorsport department “and doing everything”, she said.
In 2020, Richa moved to Killucan with her husband, Joe Oxley, whom she met at the racetrack while he was competing in motorcycle races in Dubai and Qatar.
After returning to Ireland that same year, Joe established an international manufacturing business, producing aluminium scaffold towers.
The couple have three children; Cian, Cara, and Cillian Gerard; now aged 8, 7, and 4. “I have settled in well,” Richa said, though she admitted to missing the Dubai climate.