Mad for Speed: The Racing Life of Joan Newton CuneoThis book covers Joan Newton Cuneo's life, and her roles (from 1905 to 1915) as the premier female racer in the United States and spokeswoman for women drivers and good roads. Beginning with her family history and marriage to Andrew Cuneo, it traces her life in New York society, the birth of her children, and Joan's growing interest in automobile touring and racing and partnership with Louis Disbrow, her racing mechanic. The book covers Joan's experiences in three Glidden Tours, including her notes on the 1907 tour, her first races, and her rivals. It also looks at the growth and change of automobile culture and the battles for control of racing among the American Automobile Association, the Automobile Club of America, and the American Automobile Manufacturers Association--which ended in banishing women racers shortly after Joan's greatest racing victories at New Orleans (in 1909). The book then follows Joan's attempts to continue racing, the end of her marriage, her move to the Upper Peninsula, and her remarriage and death. The book also includes a chapter on her female rivals in racing and touring. |
Contents
| 1 | |
| 7 | |
| 9 | |
| 13 | |
2 Joan Newton Cuneo Learns to Drive | 28 |
3 Mrs Cuneo Makes the News | 47 |
4 A case of love at fi rst sight | 61 |
5 The 1907 Glidden Tour and Other Challenges | 74 |
9 Joan Cuneos Swan SongOn to Atlanta | 134 |
10 Winding Down | 145 |
11 Bankruptcy Scandal Divorce | 158 |
American Women Racers and Tourists 19001920 | 167 |
Epilogue | 183 |
Joan Newton Cuneos Cars by Elsa Nystrom | 189 |
Racing the Knox by Dick Newton | 191 |
Chapter Notes | 195 |
6 Queen for a Day | 89 |
7 The Great Mardi Gras Races | 105 |
8 Banished | 119 |
| 211 | |
| 215 | |