Sir, – In early 1981 I was hitching a lift to college in Letterkenny. I was in my first year studying construction, although studying might have been a bit of an exaggeration.
It was late on a Monday morning and I had made it to a few miles outside town. I was anxious, having already missed the first two lectures, when a black Ford RS2000 skidded, scattering blue gravel everywhere as it ground to a halt.
I hesitantly opened the front door, half expecting to see a young boy racer at the wheel. Instead, I was greeted by a tall middle-aged attractive blonde lady, dressed top to toe in tight black leather.
The car interior, a mix of leather and steel, matched the driver like a glove. I have to admit feeling quite apprehensive as she took off at high speed. With my life flashing slowly in front of my eyes, I wondered what I had let myself in for.
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As I made the usual small talk one does after getting a lift, I soon realised this lady could really drive. I was in the safe hands of the one and only Rosemary Smith, once one of the world’s top rally drivers.
It was only a short lift but as she pulled up on the Port Road in front of the college, I got a few admiring glances as I proudly exited her car. I was late for class, but the story and the lasting memory of this memorable trip stayed with me longer than anything I learned there. – Yours, etc,
CIARAN CUNNINGHAM,
Letterkenny,
Co Donegal.
