Arizona Concours d’Elegance: Pioneer Women in Racing

The history of motorsports usually revolves around men who became heroes behind the wheel.  But this year’s Arizona Concours d’Elegance features a panel discussion that looks into the exciting lives of women who have raced professionally.

Legends: Pioneer Women in Racing is one of three panel discussions that take place Saturday, January 14, 2017.  The panel will include veteran race driver Janet Guthrie, the first woman to compete in both the Indianapolis 500 and the Daytona 500 in the 1970s, and Miranda Seymour, an acclaimed author whose book, Bugatti Queen, explores the life of Hellé Nice, the famed French woman racing driver who competed in the 1920s and ’30s. The discussion will be moderated by another female racing star, Lyn St. James, also of Indianapolis 500 fame. 

The discussion will include the following cars and drivers:

1925 Bugatti Type 35 (from the collection of Jan Voboril) driven by Elizabeth Junek – One of the most renowned female racing drivers of the period. She would often accompany her racer / husband Cenek Junek on his motoring exploits in their Bugatti Type 35. Her most famous race was the 1928 Targa Florio, which she led until the final lap before succumbing to mechanical troubles.

1927 Bugatti Type 37A (from the collection of Andrew Larson) driven by Anne-Cecile Rose Itier – From the late 1920s to the early 1950s, Anne-Cécile Itier was the most active female racing amateur in France. She participated in everything from Grand Prix racing to hill climbs and rallies. She entered Le Mans five times – a female record – and ran the Monte Carlo Rally seven times. Her peers were Hellé Nice and Elizabeth Junek.

1927 Bugatti Type 35 (from the collection of William “Chip” Connor II) driven by Helle Nice – A talented and beautiful race car driver, Nice was a true pioneer of the sport in her day. She owned and raced this Type 35 in the early 1930s, competing at prestigious international circuits like Le Mans, Reims and Monza. Nice would develop a close association with the Bugatti marque, leading to her nickname, “The Bugatti Queen.”

1955 Maserati 250F (from the collection of Bill Pope) driven by Maria Teresa de Filippis – The first women to have raced in Formula One. After her retirement, and as a sign of tremendous respects, she was awarded the title of Honorary Chair of both the Maserati Club and the Formula One Grand Prix Drivers Club.

1967 Ferrari NART Spyder & 1960 OSCA Formula Junior (from the Collection of Lawrence Auriana) driven by Denise McCluggage – Automotive journalist and race car driver, she is the first automotive journalist inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame.

The following schedule will be utilized:

Saturday, January 14, 2017
– The Grand Ballroom at the Arizona Biltmore –
10:00 am – Phoenix Automotive Press Association’s Auction Week Preview
Noon – Legends: Pioneer Women in Racing
2:00 pm – Driven: What Drives Successful Race Team Owners (also moderated by Lyn St. James)

For more information, visit www.ArizonaConcours.com. Tickets to attend all panels are priced at $60 and available through www.ArizonaConcours.com/ticket  The Arizona Concours d’Elegance is a not-for-profit corporation registered with the State of Arizona, with federal 501(c)(3) status.