A legendary female motor racing pioneer will be celebrated when the first Southport Classic and Speed event takes place this weekend.
21-year old Miss Dorothy Levitt, who became known as “The Fastest Girl on Earth”, achieved huge acclaim when she won her class at the first attempt, driving her French-built Gladiator car in the resort’s Speed Trials on the Promenade in 1903.
Her achievements will be highlighted at Southport Classic and Speed this Sunday, 10th October, which takes place at Victoria Park between 10am and 5pm, followed by a grand parade of classic cars along Lord Street and promenade starting at 5.30pm. Admission is free.
Southport teacher Hannah Gomersall, 25, will be the living embodiment of Dorothy Levitt when she dresses in a specially created Edwardian-style replica costume alongside a rare and historic Gladiator car, kindly loaned by owner Tim Snowden.
This will be the first time such a car has appeared in the resort since that landmark occasion 118 years ago.
Hannah is a Year 2 teacher at Norwood Primary School in Southport. She said: “The costume department at Southport Little Theatre is preparing a special Dorothy Levitt-style costume ready for me – a loose coverall coat reaching down to the ankles, with matching hat and veil – using archive photographs of her to ensure a good likeness. Compared to today’s racing drivers they were quite dolled-up. I’d never heard of Miss Levitt until recently so it’s great to discover her motor sporting achievements and how it all started in Southport”.
In contrast, Sarah Moore, a present day pioneering driver who takes part in the international W-Series, a championship exclusively for female competitors, will appear alongside Hannah’s “Levitt lookalike” in her modern race suit and helmet.
They will appear with the Gladiator car at 12:30pm on Sunday, a unique opportunity for all members of the family to witness two ages of motor sport coming together.
With free admission, Southport Classic and Speed will see around 250 veteran, vintage, historic and modern classic cars on show in Victoria Park along with food and drink stalls and a shopping village.
Southport Classic and Speed is organised by Aintree Circuit Club, presented by Cataclean and supported by Porsche Centre Preston, Sefton Council, Southport BID and Victoria Park Events. Full Motorsport UK Covid secure protocols will be in place to ensure optimum safety for all attending.
The main entrance to the show at Victoria Park in Southport is just across the road from the Esplanade / Eco Centre car park, which charges £5 per vehicle. The car park is open 10am–7pm.
- For more details please visit: www.southportclassicandspeed.com or visit the Southport Classic and Speed page on Facebook.
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