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Joan Richmond: The Remarkable, Previously Untold Story from Melbourne to Monte Carlo and Beyond
This is a book about Joan Richmond, a remarkable woman, born in 1905, died in 1999, who in that era was unusual for what she did in racing cars in in the Monte Carlo Rally. She came from a wealthy family in Melbourne, however, when her father died when she was young, the wealth declined, yet she was still brought up to be a "lady" by her mother, as was the time.
David Price, related by marriage to Joan, recorded over time stories from Joan's life and this book is produced from those taped recordings.
David Price, related by marriage to Joan, recorded over time stories from Joan's life and this book is produced from those taped recordings.
255 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2011
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March 26, 2012
This is not the kind of book I would have necessarily picked up given the choice, however, it was on our book club list so, being an obedient reader, I have read it. We only have one copy between us as it was deemed quite difficult to get hold of (actually I have now found a racing car enthusiast site that sells it) so there was pressure to read to pass on. That all being said, now having read it, I immensely enjoyed it.
It is a truly remarkable life story of a strong and determined woman (I could also call her a tom-boy, remarkable, goer and incredibly driven). The main thrust of the book focuses on her adventurous drive from Melbourne to Monte Carlo in 1933, staying in London and all of the races and rallies she participated in, to her eventual return to Melbourne in 1946.
Joan had come from a privileged family who put her in good stead for her life, opening doors for her, especially in a time where women did not have as many opportunities. She was one who knew how to make the most of each situation, and it was this that enabled her to spend so much time, devote her time to racing cars in rallies throughout Europe, even when the Nazi's had begun their assault on Germany and surrounding countries.
"..Not being one for not taking advantage of a favourable situation..." pg 240 re: getting pistons made for her Fiat at Specialloid during the war when there were no pistons available when she was working for de Havillands.
This book is an incredible snapshot of a strong and feisty woman's view of life between 1933 and 1946 whilst she was living in London. She tells the story to David Price of the races, rallies, co-drivers and cars, but reading between the lines, one is able to hear how times were for the people, how times changed so rapidly, how she was affected and how they were affected.
She shows an incredible insight to what was about to happen, and being a woman, not afraid to speak up and ask questions. On meeting Herr Huhnlein at the Donington Grand Prix in 1938 and seeing their Mercedes on the stand at the The London Motor Show, she questioned him about the rear platform on the car.
"..he told me that it was to mount the machine gun or an anti-aircraft gun..."
She questioned him further about this.
"...We are not fighting you..."
He laughed it off and she tried to persist, however Lord Howe hushed her, embarrassed at her persisting. She wondered why England did not see and learn from what they had seen. pg 212
It is a story of the difference of the rights that women have from then to now in that she documents it by telling David what she was able to do and not able to do. For a woman to compete in a man's sport was remarkable and to do well at it, even more so. Joan was very proud of her driving abilities and I got the feeling that she thought she had been overlooked either due to being a woman, or due to the car that she had been given to drive (sponsored).
"..I think we were cheated out of the Ladies Cup, because they cut out some events on the flat, where our nimble little excelled..." pg 192.
Joan returned to Melbourne, unhappily with her mother, to live in her eyes an unremarkable life for the last half of her life. In reality it was anything but unremarkable, it was just not racing cars.
I had thought this was going to be a dry, motoring autobiography (I have never in my life read one of these), but I was drawn into Joan's life. A woman who would do anything to get what she wanted in a time when the world was in turmoil, when women did not have the same choices that we do now. I found it a very interesting book, even the car bits, but probably most especially the social observations that she made.
x Meg
It is a truly remarkable life story of a strong and determined woman (I could also call her a tom-boy, remarkable, goer and incredibly driven). The main thrust of the book focuses on her adventurous drive from Melbourne to Monte Carlo in 1933, staying in London and all of the races and rallies she participated in, to her eventual return to Melbourne in 1946.
Joan had come from a privileged family who put her in good stead for her life, opening doors for her, especially in a time where women did not have as many opportunities. She was one who knew how to make the most of each situation, and it was this that enabled her to spend so much time, devote her time to racing cars in rallies throughout Europe, even when the Nazi's had begun their assault on Germany and surrounding countries.
"..Not being one for not taking advantage of a favourable situation..." pg 240 re: getting pistons made for her Fiat at Specialloid during the war when there were no pistons available when she was working for de Havillands.
This book is an incredible snapshot of a strong and feisty woman's view of life between 1933 and 1946 whilst she was living in London. She tells the story to David Price of the races, rallies, co-drivers and cars, but reading between the lines, one is able to hear how times were for the people, how times changed so rapidly, how she was affected and how they were affected.
She shows an incredible insight to what was about to happen, and being a woman, not afraid to speak up and ask questions. On meeting Herr Huhnlein at the Donington Grand Prix in 1938 and seeing their Mercedes on the stand at the The London Motor Show, she questioned him about the rear platform on the car.
"..he told me that it was to mount the machine gun or an anti-aircraft gun..."
She questioned him further about this.
"...We are not fighting you..."
He laughed it off and she tried to persist, however Lord Howe hushed her, embarrassed at her persisting. She wondered why England did not see and learn from what they had seen. pg 212
It is a story of the difference of the rights that women have from then to now in that she documents it by telling David what she was able to do and not able to do. For a woman to compete in a man's sport was remarkable and to do well at it, even more so. Joan was very proud of her driving abilities and I got the feeling that she thought she had been overlooked either due to being a woman, or due to the car that she had been given to drive (sponsored).
"..I think we were cheated out of the Ladies Cup, because they cut out some events on the flat, where our nimble little excelled..." pg 192.
Joan returned to Melbourne, unhappily with her mother, to live in her eyes an unremarkable life for the last half of her life. In reality it was anything but unremarkable, it was just not racing cars.
I had thought this was going to be a dry, motoring autobiography (I have never in my life read one of these), but I was drawn into Joan's life. A woman who would do anything to get what she wanted in a time when the world was in turmoil, when women did not have the same choices that we do now. I found it a very interesting book, even the car bits, but probably most especially the social observations that she made.
x Meg
January 23, 2025
I found this book absolutely fascinating and I don’t know why it sat on my shelf unread for so long. I acquired it some years ago, at a race meeting at Phillip Island. I am married to a petrolhead so have been to quite a few of these events, usually involving classic cars, over the years.
Joan Richmond grew up in Australia, mainly Melbourne, in comfortable circumstances. However, she was brought up to be a “lady” and her mother frowned on her taking on paid work. She was clearly an adrenaline junkie, as she raced horses until the authorities realised that she was female and banned her. (Note, it was 1979 before women were officially allowed to become jockeys in Australia) So, what then? Car racing of course! Women were allowed to do that.
I found the historical aspects of her story fascinating, especially her time in England and Europe in the lead up to world war 2. She even met Hitler, and interestingly found him quite charismatic even though she abhorred his views.
The cars and the mechanical aspects were also interesting and I understood most of it, though not all! I actually worked in the car industry for a period in the 1990s, when we still made cars here. Joan was not impressed with Japanese cars, but they are pretty good, even the ones made here.
I highly recommend this book as it was easy to read and provided the story of a woman who was in many ways well before her time. Reading between the lines, she did not take men’s rubbish and discrimination lying down. We know a fair bit about some of the male drivers such as Jack Brabham, but Joan Richmond should be up there with them.
Joan Richmond grew up in Australia, mainly Melbourne, in comfortable circumstances. However, she was brought up to be a “lady” and her mother frowned on her taking on paid work. She was clearly an adrenaline junkie, as she raced horses until the authorities realised that she was female and banned her. (Note, it was 1979 before women were officially allowed to become jockeys in Australia) So, what then? Car racing of course! Women were allowed to do that.
I found the historical aspects of her story fascinating, especially her time in England and Europe in the lead up to world war 2. She even met Hitler, and interestingly found him quite charismatic even though she abhorred his views.
The cars and the mechanical aspects were also interesting and I understood most of it, though not all! I actually worked in the car industry for a period in the 1990s, when we still made cars here. Joan was not impressed with Japanese cars, but they are pretty good, even the ones made here.
I highly recommend this book as it was easy to read and provided the story of a woman who was in many ways well before her time. Reading between the lines, she did not take men’s rubbish and discrimination lying down. We know a fair bit about some of the male drivers such as Jack Brabham, but Joan Richmond should be up there with them.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews