Kay Petre & the Singer team

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It almost sounds like a girl band from the 80s or the 90s. But let me tell you, it only gets better!

Some of you might recognise who the lady on the left-hand side is. Her real name is Kathleen Coad, but you might know her as Kay Petre. A small, attractive, lady with dark hair. She was an early motor racing star who is born in York, Toronto.

Her first race she raced at Brooklands in 1932 with a black low-chassis 4 ½ litre Invicta. After which many other races, hill-climbs and rallies followed. And it did not remain with the Invicta, amongst many others, she for instance also drove a 2-litre GP Bugatti, a 10 ½ litre V12 Delage, and various types of Rileys. She also was given the opportunity to borrow cars of other well-known people in the (race) industry. Petre was even given a place in the works Austin race team, where she drove a blown side-valve car.

Kay Petre had a very successful race career as a lady-driver who broke and set multiple records and won numerous trophies. But only three times completed the race at Le Mans, with the 13th place being her best performance. This was in 1934 when she drove together with Miss Champney a Riley 3.

The photograph shows another event, the Alpine Trail of 1934. Where she and her co-driver participated in a Singer. The year of the car is unknown to us. Is there anyone who has any idea?

Photograph sent in by Bill Coates.

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