Honouring the Great Pat Moss
In the competitive world of Motorsport, the conversation about female drivers often feels like a modern-day revelation. Yet, the history books tell a different story, one that includes remarkable women who defied conventions and conquered the racetrack long before today's stars. Among these pioneering figures, Pat Moss and Ann Wisdom stand out as icons, whose legacy deserves celebration and remembrance.
Pat Moss was born in Thames Ditton, Surrey, England, into a family where the passion for racing ran deep. Her father, Alfred Moss, competed in the Indianapolis 500 in 1924, and her mother, Aileen, was not only a World War One ambulance driver but also a race car driver. The Moss household, with its ever-present scent of oil and the thrill of speed, was the perfect breeding ground for a racing prodigy. Taught to drive at the tender age of 11 by her brother, Sir Stirling Moss, Pat was no stranger to the demands and exhilarations of motor racing. Stirling, a British motor racing legend himself, once remarked on Pat’s prowess, highlighting how she outpaced men across Europe at a time when many doubted women's driving abilities.
Pat Moss's journey began with a Morris Minor in national rallies, quickly catching the eye of the British Motoring Corporation, which invited her to compete in more prestigious events. In 1958 Pat drove her Morris, affectionately nicknamed 'Granny,' to a remarkable fourth place in the RAC Rally. The same year, she achieved another fourth-place finish in the grueling Liege-Rome-Liege Rally, this time behind the wheel of an Austin Healey. Two years later, she won the Liege-Rome-Liege Rally, a testament to her exceptional skill and determination, especially considering the challenges posed by her unwieldy machine and the blocks of wood she used just to be able to reach the pedals!
Beside Pat through many of these races was her co-driver, Ann Wisdom. Ann’s story is one of incredible courage and determination. She transitioned from an office clerk to a rally co-driver after a fateful decision to feign illness for a week, just to join Moss in a rally. A photograph in a motorsport magazine brought her newfound passion to the attention of her employer, and Ann chose the thrill of the racetrack over the monotony of clerical work. Her decision paid off, as she became one of the first co-drivers to be paid for her navigational skills. Ann’s dedication was on full display in the 1962 Tulip Rally in the Netherlands, which she won while pregnant.
Pat Moss's career continued to flourish throughout the 1960s. She married Swedish rally driver Erik Carlsson in 1963 and went on to achieve significant victories, including the Sestriere Rally in 1968. She also won five European women's rally championships. However, after the birth of her daughter, Suzy, in 1969, Pat decided to slowly shift her focus from racing to her other passion…… horses.
Sadly, October 14, 2008, Pat Moss passed away at her home in Eaton Bray, Bedfordshire, succumbing to cancer at the age of 73. Her legacy, however, lives on as a British racing legend who not only competed against the men but often beat them, leaving an indelible mark on motorsport history.
In an era when female drivers in motorsport are gaining much-deserved recognition, it is crucial to remember and honour our most successful female racing drivers who made history, like Pat Moss and Ann Wisdom. Their stories are a testament to the fact that women have always had the talent, determination, and courage to succeed in this thrilling sport. Their achievements continue to inspire a new generation of female racers, proving that the legacy of these remarkable women is alive and thriving on the racetracks of today.
