THE CREW
These three pioneering Speed Queens were invited to be part of British Leyland ‘privateers’ team, a team that included HRH Prince Michael of Kent’s Maxi, crewed by the members of his army regiment, The Royal Hussars and The 17/19th Lancers.
Of the 103 teams taking part in the 1970 World Cup Rally there were only 4 all-female teams and only 13 women competing out of more than 260 competitors.
Today as Puff takes part in so many new adventures, the 3rd seat is offered up in Tish’s honour to other inspiring women drivers and navigators.
Guest crew members to date have included Elise and Serene Whyte, Suzanne Barker, Freda Croasdell and Heather Sonnet.
Tish, a Guernsey woman with a mountain of experience in the world of distance rallying having competed in several Monte Carlo rallies, was the eldest of the team and the driving force behind the entire trip with Marshalls of Cambridge.
Tina, an experienced production car triallist and national rally driver, had competed in many events. As a young mum leaving her two young children behind to go on the adventure was one of her biggest challenges.
Bron, a New Zealander was the baby of the team with only 4 years of rally experience. She had already experienced racing in Formula 3, before a bad accident led to her decision to take up rallying. She became Southern Counties Rally Champion in her first year in an ex-works Sunbeam Imp and had progressed to an Escort Mk 1 TwinCam.