History | Rowena Purdy's Motorsport Journey

My Journey in Motorsport

Rallies.

Rallying has remained my main interest from 1969 to today.

All sorts of rallies, from local club events to FIA Internationals; at home and overseas; and in road, stage and historic road events have been entered. (The current series is the 2021 MN/HRCR Historic Road Rally Championship)

Over 100 events entered and two championships won with one second place having competed as both a driver and co-driver/navigator.

Highlights include:

Leading RAFMSA Rally team on the 1979 Mintex International Rally
Winning the 1976 Rothman’s National Hong Kong Rally Championship as a co-driver in the Honda Dealer Team.
Being awarded both Station and RAF Colours for Motor Sport.

Marshalling.

I originally qualified as a rally marshal and radio marshal in 2004, and I am now retraining as Accredited Registered Marshal both for Rally and Race events. Internationally I acted as the paddock marshal at the Macau GP in 1982!

Speed Events.

I’ve taken part in a small number of speed events, including hillclimbing on

Motor Sports Club Hong Kong events, taken part in RAFMSA Sprints and been on track with Porsche Club Great Britain

Media.

Print:

Appeared in print in various RAF station and club magazines; motorsport editor for RAF’s glossy sports magazine ‘RAF Active’: and the Motoring News (now Motorsport News) correspondent in Hong Kong.

TV:

RAF liaison with Anglia TV during the Mintex International Rally in 1979 as RAFMSA Publicity Officer and RAFMSA Rally Team Captain.

Radio:

Motorsport Correspondent for Commercial Radio Hong Kong, reporting on both local and overseas rallies and delivering daily radio updates for the 1976 Macau GP as well as being the trackside race commentator for 1976 Macau GP weekend.