The discussion has centered on women racers for the past few days.. but
perhaps some of the real history has been overlooked....so here'some of my
thoughts:
There were many more competitive women racers in the 1950-1960 era than in
the past 30 years combined. From the left coast, Ruth Levy and and Denise
McCluggage were the most recognizable women in motorsports, but there were
others, particularly on the East coast, that have not heretofore been
mentioned ...and also deserve some recognition.
Levy and McCluggage drove some serious cars and competed in national SCCA
and in FIA races at Nassau against each other for years. In 1958, they
teamed at Sebring driving a Momo entered a 750cc Abarth-Fiat Zagato coupe,
which DNF'd at 116 laps. Denise went on to race at Sebring 6 more times
through 1967, with her best finish at 10th in 1961, co-driving a Ferrari 250
GT with Allen Edgar. Denise almost got to drive at Le Mans, but the gender
issue prevailed...it was still a race for men only! ( You should read her
wonderful little book... By Brooks Too Broad For Jumping.)
I last saw Denise at the Monterey Historic Tribute to Porsche in
1998...looking quite natural in the cockpit of a Porsche Spyder with her
famous "polka dotted" helmet on!
In the East, Evelyn Mull was the dominant 1950s driver in the AC Bristol
from Watkins Glen, to Cumberland. Pinkie Rallo was a strong competitor who
also raced at Sebring. Suzy Dietrich was another great driver and Sebring
competitor in many different marques. Lady Greta Oakes of Nassau was also a
competitor at the Annual Speed Week as well as Sebring with her husband, Sir
Sidney.
Donna Mae Mimes of Bethel Park became the dominant woman driver in the early
1960s, winning a National SCCA H Production Championship in her "Think Pink"
Sprite in 1961.
Donna Mae went on to drive for Don Yenko in his Yenko Stinger Corvairs and
Camaros in SCCA Regional competition and at Sebring from 1966 through 1970.
Donna Mae is perhaps one of the funniest too. She came out of retirement to
drive a 914/6 at a Jefferson 500 vintage race at Summit Point a few years
ago... climbed out of the car saying it was ...'almost' as good as sex!
The late '60s saw Janet Guthrie as the dominant motorsports woman driver. In
1968, she teamed at Sebring with Liane Engeman in an AMC Javelin to finish
32nd. This is the race where Australian, Paul Hawkins (co-driving with David
Hobbs in a Ford GT-40) blasted the women's team for driving dangerously! In
1969, Guthrie drove with Engeman and Donna Mae in an Austin-Healey Sprite
that finished 23rd overall. Janet Guthrie later went on to become the first
woman driver to qualify and race at the Indy 500 in 1978. Guthrie also
distinguished herself as a pretty good IMSA endurance pilot in a Porsche 935
during the same time, appearing at Sebring eight times.
Other women of the post-1980s that should be recognized as true competitors
are: Deborah Gregg ( Peter's widow), Kathy Rude ( who was burned seriously at
Brainard). and Lynn St. James, who is perhaps the most well known today,
having raced at Sebring 1978-1990) and finishing as high as 6th in 1990
co-driving with Robby Gordon, and Calvin Fish in a Mercury Cougar. Lynn St.
James has also been a competitor at LeMans, and a strong contender at the
Indianapolis 500. Lynn has been a a commentator for motorsports..
This is just a little historic trivia stuff off the top of my head....to keep
the subject going.
I think it's great to see many more women vintage racing today.... kudos goes
out to: Karen Miller, Sandy McNeil, Olga Reindlova, Lauren Fix, Dana Horn,
Lynn Alexander, Connie Schmitt, Ann O'Brien, Cheri Marshall, Ryan Giffin
..and lots of others for showing some real vintage spirit on the track!
Lee Raskin, Arnolt-Bristol and 356er.
|