Off-Road Racing: Meet Rising Star Chelsea Hopkins
From Wye Valley to the Dirt Nationals: Chelsea Hopkins’ Off-Road Racing Journey
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The Road to Dirt Nationals 2025: Chelsea Hopkins’ Off-Road Racing Journey
At 4×4 Tyres, we’re always on the lookout for passionate individuals who share our love of off-road racing and the outdoors. That’s why we’re excited to support Chelsea Hopkins throughout the 2025 Dirt Nationals season.
Chelsea is quickly making her mark in extreme off-road scene, and we’re proud to be part of her journey. In this interview, we catch up with Chelsea to learn more about her background, racing experience, and what drives her to tackle some of the sport’s toughest terrain.
A Family Legacy in 4x4 Racing
For Chelsea, the journey into off-road racing is a family tradition. Her father, Richard Hopkins, has been a prominent figure in the 4×4 world, and Chelsea’s racing aspirations were ignited from a young age. “It’s in the blood,” she says, reflecting on her childhood memories. Some of her earliest recollections involve the sights, sounds, and smells of racing events, including the excitement of the crowd and the dust-filled air. Chelsea’s school runs were anything but ordinary, often taking place in a rally-spec V8 Discovery built by her father.
Chelsea’s love for off-roading blossomed as a teenager, working alongside her family at their off-road driving school. It was here she refined her skills, gaining a deep understanding of the vehicles and the challenges they face. “Dad always tells this great story about me and my brother jumping a scrap Range Rover, and running over to check we were OK, just to find us both sitting in the car laughing our heads off,” she laughs. Eventually, Chelsea’s role evolved, and she began navigating for her father, reading maps and offering directions during their adventures.
Transitioning from Co-Driver to Full-Time Offroad Racer
Chelsea’s journey into the driver’s seat began in 2020 when she had the opportunity to co-drive for her father at the King of Britain race. That experience marked the start of her professional racing career. By 2025, she was ready to take the wheel herself, with her off-road truck named “Bert” — a tribute to the stormy day she first acquired it. It now sits on an excellent set of steel wheels from us here at 4×4 Tyres.
Pushing Limits in Extreme Off-Road Racing
Known for her fearless off-road racing style, Chelsea approaches every race with the mindset of pushing the vehicle and herself to their absolute limits. “The truck may look like a winch challenge vehicle, but the goal is always to avoid using the winch,” she says, highlighting the endurance and skill required for each event. The races Chelsea competes in are a mix of short-course sprints and long, gruelling endurance challenges, ranging from quick 20-minute heats to 8-hour, 150-mile marathons over some of the most challenging terrain imaginable. Chelsea came to us to grab a strict set of steel wheels to endure the rigours of the year’s events (and a nice chunky set of mud terrains too) to ensure her truck is ready to rock!
Unforgettable Off-Road Moments
Chelsea’s off-road experiences extend far beyond racing. She recalls her time behind the wheel for Sky One’s “Carnage” (episode 4 if you’re interested in having a watch, and then episode 6!) where a dramatic barrel roll was captured on camera. Another highlight was meeting Freddie Flintoff during filming, a moment that stands out as particularly memorable from the off-road adventure. Chelsea has also had the chance to coach music sensation Tinie Tempah while filming his “Bangers” series, adding an extra layer of excitement to her diverse career.
As a racer, Chelsea’s track record includes helping her teammate, Jack, secure a victory at Cowm Quarry and clinching a podium finish at the prestigious King of Britain 2024. But beyond the podium, it’s the camaraderie and support of the off-road-racing community that Chelsea cherishes. She fondly recalls helping fellow racers and even assisting surprised hikers who encountered the race course.
Looking Ahead: The Road to Victory
With her combination of experience, passion, and a deep-rooted love for the outdoors, Chelsea Hopkins is poised to make a lasting impact on the extreme off-road racing scene. As she enters the 2025 season of the Dirt Nationals, all eyes will be on #33, watching her overcome the toughest challenges and prove that with the right determination, anything is possible.
Stay tuned as Chelsea continues to make waves in the sport and proves that her journey as a kid with off-road racing in her bones is only just beginning.
We’re proud to support Chelsea on her off-road racing journey. And just like we helped her choose the right setup, our team is here to help you find the right tyres and wheels for your vehicle.
If you need advice, get in touch with our team — we’re always happy to help.
