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Donna Mae Mims

Started by Tom Glowacki , Oct 08 2009 03:05

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10 replies to this topic

#1 Tom Glowacki

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Joined: December 03

Posted 08 October 2009 - 03:05

Donna Mae Mims, one of the best known female road racers in the 1960's died Tuesday.

She was the famous "Think Pink" driver

More information here:

http://pvgp2.schoolw...w...=3&Q=276958

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#2 RA Historian

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Posted 08 October 2009 - 15:42

This is very sad news indeed. I saw Donna Mae race back in the '60s and she was a winner. 1963 SCCA H Production National Champion. Last talked to her a few years ago at Mid Ohio when I was surprised to run across this nice lady dressed in worker whites directing paddock traffic. As I got closer I noticed all the pink accents; hat, ribbons, shoes, etc. It indeed was her, and I had an enjoyable chat.

I recommend clicking on the link that Tom has posted as it has a nice tribute and summary of her career.

Tom

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#3 David Force

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Joined: June 03

Posted 08 October 2009 - 16:08

it's always sad when an icon takes the checkered flag for the last time.

I remember reading about her and others in Road & Track in the 60's.

Racing in California seemed so exciting and so far away in those carefree days.

God speed Donna Mae.

:cool:

Edited by David Force, 08 October 2009 - 16:14.

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#4 David M. Kane

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Posted 08 October 2009 - 17:04

She was at Road America a few years ago, she added a special touch to SCCA Racing in the day. She'll be missed.

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#5 ZOOOM

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Posted 08 October 2009 - 18:26

I remember watching her drive with Denise McClugage at Sebring back in 57/58. They drove Denise's Ferrari 250SWB (IIRC).
I liked her pink helmet!
ZOOOM

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#6 ggnagy

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261 posts
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Posted 09 October 2009 - 01:30

A colorful character and a hero to many from the Pittsburgh area as well as many of the areas she raced. My wife knows the names of very few club racers from the past, but she really knows who Donna Mae "Think Pink" Mims was. The last time I saw her was at a Steel Cities region club racing event about 3 years ago, where she was working grid. She was still very active with SCR SCCA, PVGP, and the NCCC Steel Town Corvettes.

Here's a short clip about the bugeye she raced being restored and her being reunited with it at a Mid Ohio vintage event.
YouTube clip

A picture from Nick England's VIR History website showing Ms Mims with another BMC product she raced.
Posted Image

She was the Guest of Honor at the 2003 NRR event in Cumberland, MD and showed up to the event with her 1979 Corvette

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#7 garyfrogeye

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Posted 09 October 2009 - 08:07

My condolences to her family and friends.
I would like to draw UK MG Midget and Sprite owners to Donna Mae Mims success in her pink Bugeye (Frogeye) Sprite, as she would be unknow to many on this side of the pond.
Is there any possibility of getting permission to reproduce an image of Donna Mae Mims with her Sprite?

Thanks in advance

Gary
editor@midgetandspriteclub.co.uk

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#8 Kerb Bouncer

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Posted 09 October 2009 - 11:54

I just saw this on the Pittsburgh Post Gazette site: Donna Mae Mims. Not bad, but not enough focus on her role as a pioneer in the sport. I love the details of the funeral, she had her own vision and is keeping it to the end.

Saw her a couple of years ago at the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix riding with other drivers at the end of the Saturday sessions. Spry and enthusiastic, and obviously well-loved by her fellow drivers.

RIP

Mike

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#9 LotusElise

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Posted 09 October 2009 - 20:43

It is always sad to see a happy and colourful life like Donna Mae's come to an end. The obituaries make for very good reading.

They don't make them quite like Ms. Mims any more.

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#10 watkins

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Joined: August 06

Posted 10 October 2009 - 08:40

Donna Mae Mims, one of the best known female road racers in the 1960's died Tuesday.
She was the famous "Think Pink" drive

I remember seeing Donna Mae Mims racing, when I was a teen, at Watkins Glen in the 1960s. Here's a photo of her at Watkins during those times...I've never forgotten her..The gal in the pink car.

Posted Image

May she rest in peace...

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#11 McGuire

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Posted 10 October 2009 - 09:00

Donna Mae's racing career was a tiny bit before my time, so I remember her best as the official working the false grid at the SCCA Runoffs. She did a super job calming racer nerves and so on. Great lady.