Category talk:Female racing drivers

This section needs a page on Dorothy Levitt, but I don't know how/can't create it.

Dorothy Levitt was a renowned pioneer of motor racing, the first woman competitor in Great Britain, holder of the Ladies World Land speed record, motoring writer, journalist and activist.

In 1903 Dorothy Levitt won her class at the Southport Speed Trials, shocking British society as she was the first woman, a working secretary, to compete in a 'motor race'. She became noted for racing in a dust coat, matching hat and veil.

Later in 1903 Dorothy Levitt won the inaugural British International Harmsworth Trophy at Cork Harbour in Ireland. She won at 19.3 mph in a steel hulled, Napier powered speedboat fitted with a 3 blade propeller, owned by Selwyn Edge.

In 1904 Dorothy Levitt raced an officially entered De Dion car in the Hereford 1,000 mile trial, and only mechanical problems prevented her from winning a gold medal.

In 1905 Dorothy Levitt drove an 80hp Napier at the annual speed trials in Brighton, winning both her class and the Autocar Challenge Trophy. Additionally a ‘works drive’ in a French Mors in the Tourist Trophy had been prohibited by Selwyn Edge in order to protect the reputation of his Napier marquee.

In 1906 Dorothy Levitt broke the women's world speed record recording a speed of 96 mph and was described as "the fastest girl on Earth" when she drove a six-cylinder Napier motorcar at 91 miles per hour in a speed trial in Blackpool. She also set the Ladies' Record at the Shelsley Walsh hillclimb in a 50hp Napier, making the climb in 92.4 seconds, 12 seconds faster than the male winner and around three minutes faster than the previous record set by Miss Larkins. Her record stood until 1913.

In 1907 the newly opened Brooklands circuit would not accept her entry, even though she was vouchsafed by S.F.Edge, and it continued to reject women drivers until 19??. Thus she embarked for Europe with a Napier to begin competing, winning an award in the Herkomer Trial in Germany, followed by winning her class in the Gaillon Hillclimb in France.

She was effectively both a 'works driver' and publicist for Napier cars owned by Selwyn Edge, plus also being his mistress for a period.

She became the leading exponent of a woman's "right to motor" and in 1907 published The Woman and the Car: A Chatty Little Hand Book for Women Who Motor or Want to Motor, based on her newspaper column in the Daily Graphic. She also gave many lectures to encourage women to take up motoring.

Her book contained may tips including carrying a 'ladies hand mirror' to "occasionally hold up to see what is behind you". Thus she can be said to have pioneered the rear view mirror seven years before it was adopted by manufacturers.

• • • Wiki Editor *** - I assume that the following excerpts from her 1907 publication are out of copyright.

Pioneering Motoring

Excerpts from the Woman and the Car by Dorothy Levitt, 1909.

"Motoring is a pastime for women; young, middle-aged and - if there are any- old. There may be pleasure in being whirled around the country by your friends and relatives, or in a car driven by your chauffeur; but the real, the intense pleasure comes only when you drive you own car."

The Car There are scores of makes, good, bad and indifferent. I tried many cars and have come to the conclusion that the De Dion is the ideal, single cylinder car for a woman to drive. The single cylinder car is the most economical to run. The horse-power is usually 8 h.p. or less. As regards carriage work, the Victoria type of body has the most graceful lines. Such a car as I have described will cost, new, from 230 pounds. The price however is for the car itself, accessories bring up the cost.

Starting a Car: In the front you will notice a handle. Push it inwards until you feel it fit into a notch, then pull it sharply, releasing your hold of the handle the minute you feel you have pulled it over the resisting point. On no account press down on the handle, always pull it upwards smartly. It if is pressed down the possibility of backfire is greater - and a broken arm may result.

In changing speed always remember to throttle slightly. Never change from first to top speed without using the intermediate speed. The first speed on these little cars is 0-9 miles an hour, the second is 9-18 and the top is 18-28. I should advise you to thoroughly get used to the steering while on second speed. Bear in mind that when riding or driving a horse, it is only partly under your control, as it has a brain. With a motor-car, you are on your own.

The Mirror The mirror should be fairly large to be really useful and it is better to have one with a handle. Just before starting take the glass out of the little drawer and put it into the little flap pocket of the car. You will find it useful to have handy, not only for personal use, but to occasionally hold up to see what is behind you.

Motor Manners Pedestrians, according to the law, practically own the highways. Dogs, chickens and other domestic animals at large are not pedestrians, and if one is driving at regular speed one is not responsible for their untimely end. It is advisable to drive slowly through town and villages and especially school houses. Drive slowly past anyone driving or riding a horse and if a lady or child is on top, stop the engine. It is an act of courtesy. Do not fail to sound the hooter and slacken speed when coming to a cross road. Never take a sharp corner at full speed. Never drive the engine downhill. Do not leave the engine running when stopping outside a house.

What to Wear; An all important question is dress. With an open car, neatness and comfort are essential. Under no circumstance wear lace or fluffy adjuncts to your toilet. There is nothing like a thick frieze, homespun or tweed coat lined with fur. Do not heed the cry, 'nothing like leather.' Leather coats do not wear gracefully. One of the most important articles of wear is a scarf or muffler for the neck. Regarding gloves - never wear woolen gloves, but gloves made of good soft kid. You will find room for these gloves in the little drawer under the seat of the car. It is not advisable to wear rings. Indispensable to the motorist is the 'overall,' this should be made of butcher blue linen in the same shape as an artist's overall.