RIP, Paula Murphy

[aircap]

She could drive most anything - and went fast more than once.
https://www.cbssports.com/motor-sports/news/paula-murphy-trailblazing-female-race-car-driver-dies-at-95/

[PorkPie]

She opens the speed world for all women.....lots of talent...and the right look for the front page

She was a very interesting person and liked to go flat out and this not for the show

R.I.P.


was great to meeting her a long time ago

[MAYOMAN]

I met her with The Tony Team when she drove the Pollution Packer on the Bonneville course in 1972. That was a fun event as you can see from the guests.

[MAYOMAN]

I found a little better photo of Paula from the 1972 Pollution Packer Bonneville extravaganza. She drove the rocket dragster to unofficial standing start records. While this wasn't by far her best achievement in automobile competition, it was an example of her personal drive to excel. RIP great lady!

[MAYOMAN]

Paula Murphy?s FIA-sanctioned runs in the rocket Pollution Packer dragster, October 1, 1972, were:
quarter mile standing start, elapsed times only recorded.
1st run:  136.343 mph, 6.601 sec ET
2nd run: 132.063 mph, 6.815 sec ET
Average: 134.168 mph, 6.708 sec ET
The top speed, not measured under FIA, would have been approximately 270 mph since the car accelerated all the way through the quarter mile.
These record claims are ?unofficial? since there is no FIA record category for women.
Regardless, Paula performed professionally for her first time in a dragster.