Monday, November 5, 2012

Women in Racing - 50 Years Ago


The web leads you to some strange places.

This is Ewy Rosqvist.  She was a rally driver from Sweden who competed in the late 50's and early 60's.  She won the European Rally Championship, Women's class for 3 years in a row.  Also, the Midnight Sun Rally, Women's class for 4 years in a row.

Don't you love the gear.  Helmet, check.  Gloves, check.  Tank top, check.


To show that she could beat men as well as women, she won overall at the 1962 Gran Premio Argentina, marathon rally beating 280 male competitors.

Over the years, she competed in Volvo and Mercedes Benz, including several runs at the Monte Carlo Rally.

She looks like a real competitor of the time, but also like she is having a blast.
   



50 + years later, she is still around and enjoying the rally scene.  This summer, 2012, she awarded the Ewy Rosqvist Trophy to the top competitor in the Midnight Sun Rally.  She is 83 years old.

This picture might be my favorite.  Monte Carlo looks pretty modern in the background for 1962.  Ewy cuts her own style with the hat, sunglasses, and jumpsuit.  And then there is the Mercedes Fintail, complete with steel wheels and ready to race.