Evelin (Eva) Gordon-Simpson (née Brewer; 1901–1980)[1] was a British racing driver. She was born on 30th July, 1901 in Garstang, Lanchashire, and died on 23rd June, 1980 in Paddington, London.[2]

Eva Gordon-Simpson and Joan Richmond in the first of three MGs in June 1935

In 1932, Gordon-Simpson drove in the Monte Carlo Rally in a Singer, finishing 24th overall and 2nd to Alexandra Lindh among the women entrants.[3][4]

She competed in the 1935 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race as part of a team of women known as "Eyston's Dancing Daughters".[5] The six women drove three MG P-types.[5] Striving for reliability rather than position, all three cars successfully completed the race and were the focus of much attention.[5] Gordon-Simpson and her co-driver of car #56, Australian Joan Richmond, finished 24th overall and first among the three MGs.

In 1937, Gordon-Simpson married engineer and Bugatti enthusiast Hugh Graham (H.G.) Conway, who would go on to help design the Concorde.[3][6][7]

References

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  1. ^ "Evelin ('Eva') Gordon-Simpson (née Brewer)". National Portrait Gallery. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  2. ^ https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/drivers/eva-gordon-simpson/
  3. ^ a b Page, James (October 2023). "Hugh Conway". Octane. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  4. ^ "RMC 1932". classiccarcatalogue.com.
  5. ^ a b c Knowles, David (12 March 2024). MG Century: 100 Years—Safety Fast!. Motorbooks. ISBN 978-0-7603-8315-5.
  6. ^ Brody, Bill. "Happy Days". Motor Sport Magazine. No. August 1992. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  7. ^ "Obituary: Hugh Conway". The Daily Telegraph. 5 December 1989. p. 25.