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| No fool she, young or old, McCluggage lived in Santa Fe NM from the 1970's to her death. (I love Santa Fe.) |
I learned from Stirling Moss's website, from which these pictures were taken, that Denise McCluggage died earlier this year. She was a pioneer. She started her career as a newspaper reporter in the late 1940's--unusual enough for the times. The sports car bug bit her in the 1950's. She turned to (first) racing cars and (then, simultaneously) automotive journalism, which was even more unusual for a woman. She was still writing and blogging about cars a couple of years ago (when last I read her). I devoured her writing in the 1960's--it was witty and funny.
Like her contemporary Suzy Dietrich, McCluggage was genuinely fast. But she was better known because she wrote about the racing scene and her own races. Her best-known win was a co-drive to a class victory at Sebring in a Ferrari 250 GT SWB in 1961. Also like Dietrich, she raced everything from Sprites to high-powered production cars to Porsche 550 Spyders.
Like her contemporary Suzy Dietrich, McCluggage was genuinely fast. But she was better known because she wrote about the racing scene and her own races. Her best-known win was a co-drive to a class victory at Sebring in a Ferrari 250 GT SWB in 1961. Also like Dietrich, she raced everything from Sprites to high-powered production cars to Porsche 550 Spyders.
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| Fellow anciens: how many famous racing drivers surrounding McCluggage can you identify in this picture? Five, for me. The car they surround appears to be an MGB and the venue Laguna Seca. |
1 comment:
Pilotes Anciens is a wonderful celebration of sports cars, road racing, touring, and legendary routes like the Tail of the Dragon. Remembering Denise McCluggage (1927–2015) reminds us of the incredible passion and skill she brought to motorsports throughout her life. Her legacy continues to inspire both amateur and professional racers alike.
Even with careful driving, tire issues can happen on any road or track. That’s why having access to a reliable tyre leak repair service is so valuable—quick professional support ensures you can get back on the road safely and continue enjoying your drive without worry.
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