Racer Robin .... the "Fastest Lady"

"Be careful what you sign up for when you are drunk” ...

was the message from guest speaker Robin Staples-Adams at the meeting on 30 November 2016. Robin related how she moved from boarding school to Ballroom Dancing teacher, training at the Victor Sylvester School of Dancing, to meeting her husband to be, Rob Staples, a racing driver and “accidently” to becoming a successful racing driver. A 1967 British Automobile Racing Club (BARC) saw her being persuaded to “Have a go” at Sprints and Hill Climbs; an excess of wine encouraged her to sign up and she didn’t look back. Robin took part at most of the GB circuits in sprints, hill climbs and races where she met and befriended people like Stirling Moss, Graham Hill and James Hunt. Racing mainly in an E Type she won many, what would now be non- PC, “Fastest Lady” Awards and was BARC Lady Champion in 1969. Her account of her racing career was full of stories including her membership of the Dog House Owners Club, a club for the women of racing drivers. Were they the original wags?

There is much interest in cars and motor sports among some Senlac Rotarians and questions were numerous.

Rotarian Laurie May gave a vote of thanks for her fascinating and interesting talk expressing regret that his company, ESSO, had not been one of Robin’s sponsors. The club were pleased to make a donation to Eastbourne RNLI on Robin’s behalf.