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Rosemary Smith’s Achievements Recognised

FIVA (the Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens or international federation of historic vehicles) has announced nine heroes of motoring history who will join its Heritage Hall of Fame.

The Imp Club is proud to announce that President Rosemary Smith is one of these nine.

From Ireland: Rosemary Smith
A female pioneer in a notoriously male-dominated sport, she drove in the Monte Carlo rally eight times, as well as most other iconic rallies all over the world, including an outright victory in the 1965 Tulip Rally, beating all the male drivers to the finish.


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New name joins the FIVA Heritage Hall of Fame

FIVA, the International Federation of Historic Vehicles, has announced nine new heroes of motoring history who will join its Heritage Hall of Fame, launched last year to celebrate both world-famous figures and unsung heroes in automotive history.

Gaby von Oppenheim, one of the judges, explains: “FIVA clubs around the world were invited to nominate their own motoring heroes, regardless of whether these individuals are household names or relatively unknown. The primary criterion is that they choose men or women who have made significant contributions to our automotive heritage. From among the nominations, a prestigious international panel of judges selects the final inductees.”

For 2022, the list includes Rosemary Smith from Ireland

Rosemary is world  renowned for her outstanding achievements in international motor sport, which includes the London-Sydney Marathon in 1968, the World Cup event two years later, the Safari Rally, the Shell 4000 as well as competing in the Monte Carlo Rally eight times and winning the Coup de Dames on several occasions. She has competed in the 24Hr Daytona Race and the 12 Hr Sebring event as well as the Irish Land Speed Record. Her name has been linked with the Hillman Imp (in which she won the Tulip Rally outright in 1965), the Sunbeam Tiger together with Ford Cortinas and Escorts, and the Porche 911T, invariably beating the male counterparts in her path.

Such recognition for Rosemary is heartedly acknowledged and reveals the status in which she is held internationally