Death of pioneering rally driver, Rosemary Smith, aged 86

President pays tribute to former Clonee resident

The famed Irish rally driver, Rosemary Smith, has died aged 86.

Formerly of Clonee, Rosemary was a popular recipient of the Meath Chronicle Cusack Hotels Sports Personality of the Year Hall of Fame Award in 2019, returning to great acclaim to the 2020 event in Knightsbrook Hotel in Trim.

Rosemary Smith etched her name in the annals of motorsport history as a pioneering rally driver. With a career spanning decades, Smith's journey is a testament to her skill, determination, and groundbreaking achievements on the racing circuits and rally stages.

Smith's initiation into rallying began as a co-driver, but her love for the driver's seat led to a pivotal role change, catching the attention of the Rootes Group's Competition Department, which offered her a coveted works drive.

Having clinched the ladies' prize at the Circuit of Ireland Rally in 1964, the year 1965 marked a significant milestone in her career when she, alongside co-driver Valerie Domleo, secured victory in the four-day Dutch Tulip Rally, manoeuvring a factory-entered Hillman Imp through 1,800 miles of challenging terrain.

Despite facing controversy and disqualification in the 1966 Monte Carlo Rally, Smith's resolve remained unbroken, leading to a series of triumphs, including an outright win in the 1969 Cork 20 Rally and multiple victories on renowned stages like the Scottish Rally, the Alpine Rally, the Canadian Shell 4000, the 1968 London to Sydney Marathon and the 1970 London to Mexico World Cup Rally..

Beyond the racetrack, Rosemary Smith's life story is a narrative of resilience and passion. Born in 1937, she defied societal norms, learning to drive at 11 under her father's guidance and obtaining a driving license at 16 through resourceful means. Her foray into fashion design, including setting up a boutique with her mother, added another layer to her diverse persona.

Smith went on to drive for many of the leading motor manufacturers of the time, including Ford, BL, Porsche, Opel, Lancia and Chrysler Talbot amongst others, showcasing her driving prowess but also as a trailblazer for Irish motorsport.

In 1978, Smith set a new land speed record in Cork, adding another achievement to her illustrious career.

In the 1990s, Smith expanded her influence by founding a driving school, imparting her wealth of knowledge to aspiring drivers. One of her crowning moments came on 10 May 2017, when, at the age of 79, she became the oldest person to drive an 800bhp F1 racing car during a test drive with the Renault F1 Team at the Circuit Paul Ricard in France, a remarkable feat that went unnoticed by the Guinness Book of Records.

in 2018, she penned her memoirs in 'Driven by Rosemary Smith'. In 2022 she was inducted into FIVA ( Fédération International des Véhicules Anciens) Hall of Fame.

Later in life, she operated driving schools teaching the younger generation the skills of motoring.

As Rosemary Smith's legacy continues to inspire generations, her remarkable journey stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of an Irish motorsport legend.

This evening, President Michael D Higgins said: “Rosemary Smith should be remembered as one of the most fearless and remarkable Irish sportspeople to have graced the international stage.

"In an extraordinary motorsport career, she defied all expectations of her time in becoming a renowned force in a sport then, as now, so heavily dominated by men. Her remarkable career, including her 1965 victory in the Tulip Rally, where Rosemary remains the only woman ever to win the race, and so many more victories and achievements besides, stands as a shining example of the great impact which women can have in every area of sport.

"Rosemary’s achievements continued up to very recent years when in 2017 she became, at the age of 79, the oldest person ever to drive a Formula 1 car."

He sais Rosemary Smith’s induction into the FIVA Heritage Hall of Fame in 2022, the first Irish person to be honoured in this way, was a fitting recognition of a truly distinguished contribution to Irish and global sporting life.

"I was pleased, as President of Ireland, to write to her upon that occasion and to pay tribute to the invaluable and generous contribution which Rosemary made to the life and reputation of Irish motorsport. May I extend my deepest sympathies to Rosemary’s family, colleagues and friends on her passing. Síochán siorraí le a h-anam crógach lámhach.”