The story of one woman’s incredible journey across America is told in Joy Across America, a new book being launched at this year’s Race Retro at Stoneleigh Park on 21-23 February.
Joy Rainey is the subject of this engaging encounter, telling the story of her epic 2,903mile drive across the U.S. in her 1904 Curved Dash Oldsmobile.
Joy is no stranger to motorsport, having competed in karting and hillclimbing. From those first steps into motorsport, Joy then developed a love of endurance events, including the London/Sydney Marathon and crossed South America in a Jeep on the Carrera Sud-Americana, but the trans-America trip in her Oldsmobile would be her biggest challenge to date.
The Oldsmobile dates from near the dawn of motoring and as such features tiller steering, two gears and a top speed of around 28 mph. The car enjoyed a detailed rebuild by Joy’s partner Trevor and the couple had planned to undertake the challenge back in 2009, however when Trevor sadly passed away shortly after that it looked as if the trip would never happen.
Eventually though, Joy chose to attempt it in Trevor’s honour and in April 2013 she arrived in America, tackling everything from smooth highways to dirt tracks and off-road sections.
The 109-year-old Oldsmobile performed faultlessly, but there were plenty of problems along the way. 31 days later Joy arrived in Florida, achieving something no woman had previously accomplished in a single cylinder car.
With a foreword by motor racing legend Sir Stirling Moss, the story is told over almost 200 pages along with Joy’s own photos from the journey and is dedicated to her late husband Trevor.
Priced at £18.95, the book will be available from Joy’s website (www.joy-across-america.com) as well as at Race Retro between the 21st and 23rd of February, where Joy will appear alongside the Oldsmobile.
Joy will also be interviewed on the live stage along with Sir Stirling Moss (Saturday only) and a fantastic line up of motor racing legends who will be signing autographs and memorabilia.
There will also be tributes to 50 glorious years of McLaren in racing and 30 years for the crowd pleasing Metro 6R4 as well as fantastic displays of rare competition and rally cars.
Group B and C rally cars will be in action on the purpose built Live Rally Stage on Saturday and Sunday as well as the start of the Winter Challenge that will see over 20 drivers head off on a five-day journey to Monte Carlo.
With hundreds of traders offering everything you need for the coming season – be it driver or armchair enthusiast – from racing suits to motorsport memorabilia, Race Retro is the perfect start to the motorsport season.
Adult tickets for Race Retro, sponsored by Peter James Insurance, start at £20 in advance with children’s tickets at £5 for Friday and Saturday and free on Sunday. Car parking is free. The show is open from 9.30am each day and closes at 5.30pm on Friday and Saturday and 4.30pm on Sunday. To book tickets and for the latest updates, visit www.raceretro.com.
