New Book Chronicles Bonneville's Women of Land Speed Racing

By SEMA Washington, D.C., StaffAccording to Louise Ann Noeth’s new book, Bonneville’s Women of
Land Speed Racing, at least 150 women had entered the record
books over the past seven decades. It’s amazing how many women have raced at the famous speed laboratory known as the Bonneville Salt Flats since 1949. When “Landspeed” Louise Ann Noeth began researching the topic for her new book, Bonneville’s Women of Land Speed Racing, she was confident that at least 150 women had entered the record books over the past seven decades. The book went to press with 307 names, and the number now exceeds 320 as the research continues.

Dozens have set land speed records—35 in excess of 200 mph, six above 300 mph, and one racer who roared past 500 mph. Equally impressive are the women who helped propel the gals down the raceway—fabricators, mechanics, crew chiefs and all-round land-speed racing experts.

The 96-page book includes more than 150 images and is part of Arcadia Publishing’s Images of Modern America series.

Two book signings at Bonneville: Author “LandSpeed” Louise Ann Noeth has invited all the women included in the book to join her for a book signing get-together at the registration area. At least 20 gals have confirmed for each event!

• Tuesday, August 31, at 5:00 pm: Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials
• Saturday, September 11, at 5:00 pm: USFRA World of Speed

Visit www.landspeedproductions.biz for more information.

 

It's not about some damn liberal new socialist agenda female equality thing...no transgender males? Didn't know we needed them.
Gender Equity in H Mod Racing: A Put-In-Bay Reminder

Prudence Baxter and Sid Colberg at Candlestick Park (1963). Photo: Peter Breining / San Francisco ChronicalWhile it’s true that most racers (vintage or otherwise) are men, (sometimes women have other interests) racing can be gender neutral. And there have been plenty of women who can compete with, and often beat, men in the sport. We’ve all heard of Denise McCluggage, Donna Mae Mims, and Pat Moss. But I’d be willing to bet that most of you don’t know Prudence Baxter.

Pru raced on the West Coast in the ’50s and ’60s, and she was as good as anyone on the track — and better than most. The site, “https://www.racingsportscars.com/driver/Prudence-Baxter-USA.html]Racing Sports Cars[/url]” shows Pru with 41 events from 1958 through 1968. She finished first in 11 races and was on the podium 25 times. Her most notable accomplishment was winning the Pacific Coast Championship for H-Modified in 1963. (While some of the conflicts between various California car clubs had been settled by 1962, there were still two big championships run in1963. Bill Greer won the SCCA National HM Championship in his DKW-powered Zink Petite Mk II, while Pru Baxter took the Pacific Coast Championship in her OSCA-powered Lotus XI.)
Prudence Baxter and Sid Colberg at Candlestick Park (1963). Photo: Peter Breining / San Francisco ChronicalIn the days of amateur racing, it wasn’t unusual for the drivers/car owners to mingle with high society (or to be a part of high society). Pru and her husband, Scott Baxter were photographed as part of a Sports Illustrated fashion piece — long before the days of Sports Illustrated’s swim suit issues. (If you’re interested, Scott is sporting a Madras Plaid Jacket [$85, Sigel]. It’s made of breeze-weight eight-ounce Shetland. And they are watching a Sunday regatta at Belvedere’s own backyard lagoon. Belvedere is a tony neighborhood across Richardson Bay from Sausalito…)

Enough fashion. Time for one last pitch for H Mods, the featured race group at at Put-in-Bay’s 2021 Vintage Sports Car Races & Reunion. As of the end of August, there are just four H Mods registered — two Crosley-powered racers, and two Saab-powered cars — for the grand event on the Lake Erie island’s active airport. Looks like we are in for a “no holds barred, grudge match” between Saab and Crosley.



The Put-in-Bay races are September 21-24. Don’t miss them