Tributes have been paid to pioneering rally driver Rosemary Smith, who passed peacefully today at the Beacon Hospital in Dublin.
Smith, a native of Dublin, broke through the gender barrier to compete in and win some of the most iconic rallies in the world.
She was no stranger to the hills of Donegal. In 1980 after winning the Donegal International Rally Ladies Award, she said: “I go out to try to beat the men, obviously. When I do I feel great.”
During an interview with RTE at the 1980 event, she spoke of her love of rallying and said: “When you get going you go down the ramp the adrenaline is flowing you go out there and it is you and your car against maybe 160 other competitors. And the whole thing just makes you feel good.”
Having learned to drive at the age of 11, Rosemary left school at 15 and trained as a dress designer and model and opened a boutique dressmaking company. Rosemary was asked to navigate for a friend in a rally but soon took over the driving.
She drove in the Monte Carlo rally eight times, winning the Coupe des Dames on numerous occasions as well as competing in most other iconic rallies all over the world, including the London to Sydney in 1968, the World Cup London to Mexico in 1970 and the East African Safari Rally in the 1970s. In a Hillman Imp, Rosemary won the Tulip Rally outright, beating all the male drivers to the finish.
The elegant rally driver Rosemary Smith with her Hillman Imp after one of her many European wins in the 1960’s
In 2017, at 80 years of age she became the oldest person to drive a Renault Sports Formula One team car.
President Michael D Higgins said: “Rosemary Smith should be remembered as one of the most fearless and remarkable Irish sportspeople to have graced the international stage.”
May 2018L A smile from one of Ireland’s most famous rally drivers Rosemary Smith who was special guest at Mondelo Park. Photo Brian McDaid
