16 replies to this topic

[Giraffe]

I have heard the news this morning from Steve Wilkinson that the remarkable Joy Rainey passed away yesterday.

[68targa]

Sad to hear this news. A remarkable person.  R.I.P.

[Tim Murray]

I’m so very sorry to read this. For many years I watched Joy and her father Murray Rainey competing in UK hillclimbs, he in his wonderful Alfa 8C and she in her Murrain special, built by her Dad, and admired their incredible determination in light of their restricted stature.

Even more amazing, though, were her long distance journeys across the USA and Australia in her 1904 Oldsmobile with tiller steering. She was a phenomenal woman. Here’s a nice profile from 2015:

https://www.tradeuni...ture-joy-rainey

and here she is on the Olds with Stirling Moss.



Sincere condolences to all her family and friends.

[Bloggsworth]

A remarkable woman by all accounts - RIP.

[bradbury west]

I share your sentiments, Tim.
Roger Lund

[Perruqueporte]

That is very sad. Along with many others I shall miss her (very reassuring and encouraging) presence at hill climbs.

I had a long chat with her at the final Prescott meeting last season, and was fascinated to hear her describe going to collect her new McLaren the previous year.

Lovely person and a true inspiration.

Christopher W.

[sstiel]

A great shame. Sincere condolences to friends. What happened as she was holidaying in Australia?

[sabrejet]

I assumed she lived in Aus, being from there originally?

[Tim Murray]

The Rainey family relocated to England in 1968. I believe Joy was based here most of the time ever since. She lived near Evesham for many years and was a regular at motor sport events and car shows. I understand she was on a visit to her old homeland when she died.

Here she is at Prescott last year, giving people runs up the hill in her McLaren in aid of the Rotary Club:

[Gav Astill]

There was a good tribute to Joy Rainey on the BBC Radio 4 'Last Words' obituary programme earlier today. Currently it can be found at;

 

https://www.bbc.co.u...s/m000df4t#play

[Tim Murray]

A very nice tribute. I enjoyed it.

[LittleChris]

Sad news. Will re-read her autobiography once I finish re-reading the much lamented Neil Peart's Ghost Rider - Travels on the Healing Road.

What with them and Tom Belso, it's been a bad couple of weeks

[Stephen W]

Nice work by Eddie Walder and I would concur on his "blunt" response, Joy didn't suffer fools gladly.

[sstiel]

Nice tribute from Eddie Walder. Joy had a remarkable life and there'll be a tribute in Auto Tradition's next edition to her too. Apart from her late husband, did she have any children?

https://www.youtube....h?v=Dx_zRarCieE Her trip across America.

Edited by sstiel, 25 January 2020 - 11:38.

[cpbell]

I have heard the news this morning from Steve Wilkinson that the remarkable Joy Rainey passed away yesterday.

That is sad, I recall reading her column in the Telegraph Motoring supplement around twenty years ago.

[Stephen W]

 

From 1989 at Prescott - Joy Rainey in her modified Pilbeam MP53 on the Cross-Over

[Myhinpaa]

Nice obituary + comments in The Telegraph : https://www.telegrap...become-leading/