Five unlikely epic drives

Dublin-born Rosemary Smith trained as a seamstress, but her passion for speed led to a career as a rally driver, winning the Tulip Rally in Holland in 1965 behind the wheel of her Hillman Imp. Having run her own driving school for the past 17 years, she recently became the oldest person to drive an F1 car, with Renault’s team. Here, Rosemary shares her most memorable drives around the world.

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Healy Pass, Kerry, Ireland

I did this as part of the Circuit of Ireland Rally in my Hillman Imp. I've taken part eight times and southern Ireland’s beautiful landscape always amazes me. The pass goes over the Caha mountain range, which separates County Cork from County Kerry. Winding your way across the countryside, you go past lakes and through some of the region’s most stunning scenery. The rally takes place around Easter time, and I remember one year everything was covered in snow.

Car of choice: Hillman Imp

Photo: Adobe Stock

Khyber Pass, Afghanistan/Pakistan

I drove the Khyber Pass as part of the London to Sydney Rally in a Lotus Cortina. I knew about the route after seeing it in movies and reading about it, but what made the journey more interesting was the fact that we had to reverse over it! The car had broken down, leaving us with only reverse gear, so it was either drive like that or drop out, so we did what we had to. I can’t remember much of the surroundings, but it was mountainous and barren. Mind you, it’s difficult to take everything in when you’re driving backwards.

Car of choice: Lotus Cortina

Photo: Getty Images

La Paz, Bolivia

We drove across the Andes to La Paz as part of a rally in South America, which was an incredible experience. When you’re up that high, there’s nothing but fresh air – barely any shrubs or vegetation. We hardly saw anyone but I remember a few women wearing beautiful, brightly coloured garments. I’d like to go back there and see it all again when I’m not in a hurry – that’s the trouble with being a rally driver, I suppose.

Car of choice: Austin Maxi

Photo: Getty Images

Vancouver to Montreal, Canada

I did this journey as part of the Shell 4000 Rally in a Sunbeam Imp. People were laughing at us when we turned up, with it being so small (‘Like a little tin box,’ they said) but soon stopped when we were in the mountains. We were able to fly around corners and get everywhere while all the big American cars became stuck. It’s absolutely gorgeous in the mountains. Down on the plains, it’s basically desert for miles and miles.

Car of choice: Sunbeam Imp

Photo: Getty Images

Monte Carlo, France

I remember driving over the Alps, putting everything I had into going across snow and ice, during the Monte Carlo Rally. It was quite terrifying but one of the most beautiful rallies I’ve ever done, and arriving in Monte Carlo was fantastic – I don’t think you can compare it to how it is today. When I went recently, everyone was crawling along in Bentleys and Ferraris, wanting people to look at them – the place has changed a lot. After the rally I met Prince Rainier, a lovely man.

Car of choice: Lancia Fulvia

Photo: Getty Images

Rosemary Smith

Five unlikely epic drives

Healy Pass, Kerry, Ireland

Khyber Pass, Afghanistan/Pakistan

La Paz, Bolivia

Vancouver to Montreal, Canada

Monte Carlo, France

Healy Pass, Kerry, Ireland

Khyber Pass, Afghanistan/Pakistan

La Paz, Bolivia

Vancouver to Montreal, Canada

Monte Carlo, France

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