Fast Women
PHOTO | GETTY IMAGES
In the aftermath of Aftershock, we have racing on the brain.
As one does, we got to looking up old racing clips and found this pearler on Janet Guthrie, who happened across an ad for a 1953 Jaguar XK120 M coupé which she snapped up as her daily driver, also using it to compete in solo competitions called gymkhanas (the model number so designated for its underestimated top mph speed), then in 1963 bought and started racing an XK140.
“Oh, the Jaguar! So beautiful, so prone to breakdowns!”
She also had NASA astronaut aspirations, but settled with becoming (in 1977) the first woman to qualify and compete in both the Indianapolis 500 and the Daytona 500.
We think we might need to do a Petrolettes in History feature soon...
Jo is a buxom redhead looking for adventure. She loves her motor children equally, and if you ask really nicely, she might let you take them for a spin. Easily distractible, but also easily obsessed, she is our Editor-in-Chief, resident proof-reader, and zany ideas lady. Caffeine is her fuel of choice.
