Driven

by Rosemary Smith

A pioneer for women in motorsport – an autobiography

The inspirational story of the female motorsport pioneer who broke through the gender barrier to compete in and win some of the most iconic rallies in the world.

Rosemary Smith is recognised internationally for her outstanding achievements in the world of motorsport. A female pioneer in a notoriously male-dominated sport, she drove in the Monte Carlo rally eight times, winning the Coupe des Dames on numerous occasions as well as competing in most other iconic rallies all over the world, including the London to Sydney in 1968, the World Cup London to Mexico in 1970 and the East African Safari Rally in the 1970s. In a Hillman Imp, Rosemary won the Tulip Rally outright, beating all the male drivers to the finish.

Now, for the first time, Rosemary reveals the inside story of her amazing life, recounting many memorable adventures and exploits both on and off the track.

But Rosemary’s story is not all fast cars and marathon rallies. She writes with honesty about her early life, about a disastrous marriage and money troubles – and how she overcame it all.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography

288 pages, Paperback

Published March 12, 2019

About the author

There is more than one author with this name

Reviews

[maxime · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy read on the life of a female rally driver who I admittedly hadn’t heard of before purchasing this book. I thought the book was okay. Smith had some adventurous stories to tell, and the chapters on the rally’s in Kenya, Mexico and Australia were particularly enjoyable. Unfortunately the rest of the book didn’t flow well into each other at all - it felt like random passages put together. Overall, Driven was mediocre writing wise, but gave fascinating insights into the experiences of a female rally driver in the sixties and seventies.

[Eleanor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this autobiography. The book "Driven" was not long drawn out, and I appreciate it. It was good to learn that women drove race cars and were good at it. People frowned on women in this line of work as they thought it to be a man's sport and women should stay home and take care of the family. Glad that Rosemary Smith and other Pioneers like her did not listen and pursued their dreams. It is great to have women like her who have shown that they can achieve greatness in a sport like motor car racing.

[J D Richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

A long time fan

When I was a teenager she was a real pin up for me. Enjoyed all motorsport but Rosemary really made rallying glamourous (wish she had been the driver when the mini cooper was the rally car to have. Great to relive those years from the past

[Dorset Mummy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick and easy read.
An interesting read (for me who knows nothing about motor sports) about a pioneering woman pursuing her passion for motor rallying.

[Jane Featherstone · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an enjoyable biography, written in a refreshingly informal style and sadly, Rosemary is no longer with us. Our family has a longtime interest in motor racing and I was introduced to this inspirational lady a few years ago through a wonderful fictional story, which prompted me to look for this book. Driven is a much needed reminder of a time when women were not taken seriously in terms of careers and certainly not in relation to cars. This is very obvious from the anecdotes Rosemary shares and I was delighted to read how she participated in a Formula 1 event much later in life. A truly remarkable woman who refused to give up on her dreams.

[Domhnall · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very insightful read that highlighted the career of an Irish motorsport legend in her own words and gave an incredible look into what early rallying was like and recounts her numerous larger than life tales on those rallies.

[Sarah Verso Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book, Rosemary and Ann did a wonderful job telling her story.

[Frieda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this autobiography! I’ve never been much of a fan of rallies but of other Motorsport. It was truly well written and beautifully read.

[Rebecca Shtasel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This woman had the most amazing life! Such a glamorous talented rally driver with such a disastrous love life - the stuff of fiction and yet it all really happened.

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved every bit of this Irish legends adventures. It was a great & honest read, I'd love to know her in real life.

[Paul McCormack · Rating 2 out of 5]

What a woman but a basic read

[Susan Farrelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Writing style is a little poor in places but the various adventures and details of Rosemarys life and career are entertaining and colourful!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful story of a very determined lady. Definitely recommend!