Mad for Speed, the Racing Life of Joan Newton Cuneo
By Elsa A. Nystrom
217 pages, softback, black and white photos
ISBN 978-0-7864-7-93-8
$39.95
Published by McFarland www.mcfarlandpub.com
Available at Amazon.com or order from 1-800-253-2187
Review by Pete Vack
Photos courtesy the Author and the Newton Family
In 1909, Joan Newton Cuneo, all of 5 foot 2 inches and 125 lbs., competed against a top-notch field of professional men race drivers in a three day series of races held in New Orleans just prior to the Mardi Gras. With her new 50 hp Knox Giant, she easily won her races in the amateur divisions. What turned heads however, was that this tiny dynamo came in second to the future Indy winner Ralph De Palma in the 50 mile event, and again finished second to De Palma in a 10 mile race the next day, beating drivers Bob Burman, Lewis Strang and George Roberston. France’s Madame du Gast had nothing on the petite Mrs. Cuneo. Cuneo, already a proven fearless and talented competitor, was quickly becoming the Danica Patrick of her day.
Less than a month later, the Automobile Association of America, already in bed with the car manufacturers and in full control of all sanctioned racing in the U.S., officially banned women from racing or any other type of time trial or Tour. [Read more…] about Mad for Speed: Book Review