Meet Chelsea Hopkins – Off-road Racing’s Rising Star
From Wye Valley to the Dirt Nationals: Chelsea Hopkins Gears Up for 2025 Off-Road Racing Season
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The Road To Dirt Nationals 2025
At 4×4 Tyres Ltd, we’re always on the lookout for passionate, talented individuals who share our love for off-road racing and the great outdoors. That’s why we’re excited to support Chelsea Hopkins in the 2025 Dirt Nationals season. Chelsea is making her mark in the extreme off-road racing world, and we’re thrilled to be part of her journey. In this interview, we catch up with Chelsea to learn more about her background, racing experiences, and what drives her to tackle some of the toughest terrains in the sport.
Chelsea Hopkins, race number #33, is set to become a standout name in extreme off-road racing in the 2025 season of the Dirt Nationals. Hailing from the scenic Wye Valley and the Forest of Dean, Chelsea’s connection to the outdoors runs deep. While she may appear quiet and artsy on the surface, her passion for adrenaline-fueled challenges is undeniable. Now, she’s ready to conquer the toughest off-road circuits and show what she’s made of on the strongest steel wheels and toughest mud terrain tyres possible.
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. In fact, 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 laugh 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 own off-road truck named “Bert” — a tribute to the stormy day she first acquired it. Which now sits on an awesome set of steel wheels from us here at 4×4 Tyres.
Pushing Limits in Extreme Off-Road Racing
Known for her fearless offroad 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 toughest terrain imaginable. Chelsea came to us to grab a tough 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 a memorable 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 offroad-racing community that Chelsea cherishes. She fondly recalls helping fellow racers and even providing assistance to surprised hikers encountering 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 off-road racing and proves that her journey as a kid with offroad racing in her bones is only just beginning.
We’re super excited to be supporting Chelsea on her journey to offroad racing domination (hopefully)! And just like we helped Chelsea choose the right set of wheels for her racer, our pro-team are here to help you! If you want any guidance or to chat through the options for your driving needs get in touch with our pro-team today. At 4×4 Tyres, we are the UK’s leading experts in all-terrain tyres, mud terrain tyres, steel wheels and alloy wheels.
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