You always read about, "Our forefathers," doing great things. There is no better name for those gallant women who got behind the wheel (or tiller on many of the original automobiles) and drove them in competition, than "Foremothers!"

I greatly respect women who race, have raced or will compete in motorized sports in the future because they do IT!

I have met many women racers and read about even more over the years. Few people are aware of the pioneer women in auto racing such as Madame Camille du Gast (Left), who competed in the 1901 Paris-Berlin open road race starting 122nd and finishing 33rd after covering 687 miles over the three days of the event. She also competed in the accident fraught Paris-Madrid Race of 1903! During that race Madame du Gast came upon an accident and stopped, rendering as much aid as she could, she made sure that the injured driver was taken care of before starting on her way! The race was ordered stopped by the French government at Bordeaux. Nor are they aware that she competed in ocean going power boats!  Madame Camille du Gast was married to Paris businessman, Monsieur Crespin and raced under her maiden name.

Nor do they know of Madame Elizabetta Junek (Right), who, in 1927, competed in the treacherous Targa Florio around the rugged island of Sicily. Or, about rally champions Pat Moss (Sister of Stirling) and Michelle Mouton who successfully competed on a level footing in one the most demanding aspects of our sport.

These pages are dedicated to all of them from Madame du Gast and Madame Junek through Kay Petre, (Left), Maria Teresa De Filippis (Right), the first woman to compete in the modern Grand Prix era, America's Denise McCluggage, creator of Competition Press, later to become AUTOWEEK (Below Left) and Lella Lombardi, the only woman (so far) to earn even half a point in a World Formula One Driver's Championship  Race. (The race was shortened because of numerous on track accidents. (Below Right))

This section honors Janet Guthrie, Lyn St. James and Shirley Muldowney to Sarah Fisher, Jessica Helberg (Whose Web Sites are Listed on the Next Page) and the next young woman who grabs a racing helmet and sets her sights on a career in auto racing!

Whether they be Drag Racers, Road Racers, Indy Car or Stock Car Racers, their contribution to the sport of auto racing is unsurpassed!