The Bolder Woman: S1E10 - Rowena Purdy, Rally Driver

Rowena Purdy has reached the stage in life when she has all the trophies she wanted from Rally car racing but she is still in search of more miles to conquer and memories to cherish either driving or navigating. At the age of 76 she will mark her 50th year in the sport this year and she plans to mark the occasion competing in the British Isles. Rowena started rallying in a 1969 FIAT 125 in Malta and since then has competed in road, stage and historic regularity rallies, from Closed to Club to International status, in Malta, Britain, Hong Kong, and Europe as driver, co-driver, navigator, organiser, instructor, marshal and official in a variety of cars including a Simca Rally 1, a Lancia Fulvia Coupé, an Air Portable Land Rover and currently her 1966 Porsche 912 SWB.  Spending time in the Royal Air Force she learned electronics and some mechanics which has proved helpful while racing in remote areas. During almost half a century in motor sport, Rowena has taken part in nearly 100 rallies. Most recently she has competed in the 2018 HRCR North Yorkshire Classic and the HERO ‘Summer Trial’, and has also entered the 2019 ‘Summer Trial’.  Rowena plans to enter as many of the 2019 HRCR Motorsport News Clubman’s’ Championship rallies when other activities allow. She also takes part in local Track Days with her Porsche 912.   When she is not driving or navigating she is giving back to the sport and encouraging women to take up Rally driving. Beyond that she is enjoying sailing and has her sights set on crossing the Atlantic.
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