Dorothy Levitt

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Dorothy Levitt
Born	[[ Expression error: Unrecognised word "n"]] 1882 n/a, England
Died	n/a, n/a
Nationality	British
Occupation	Sporting Motoriste, Journalist,

Dorothy Levitt (born 1882) was probably the assumed name of Elizabeth Levi^[1]/Elizabeth Levit^[2] a 'sporting motoriste' in the early part of the 20th Century. On 4th July 1903 she was reported as the first woman in the world to compete in a 'motor race'. Levitt was a renowned pioneer of motor racing, the most successful female competitor in Great Britain, victorious speedboat driver, holder of the Ladies World Land speed record, motoring writer, journalist and activist. In 1906 she wrote a book The Woman and the Car: A chatty little handbook for all women who motor or who want to motor which noted that women should "carry a little hand-mirror in a convenient place when driving" so they may "hold the mirror aloft from time to time in order to see behind while driving in traffic" therefore inventing the rear view mirror before it was introduced by manufacturers in 1914.^[3]

1 Biography
2 Pioneering Motoring
3 References
4 External links

[edit] Biography

Dorothy was probably born 'Elizabeth Levi', the daughter of '[tea dealer]]' Jacob Levi and his wife Julia, as Jacob had apparently 'anglicised' his name to John Levit by the 1901 census.^[1]

On July 4th 1903 Dorothy Levitt won her class at the Southport Speed Trials driving a 12 Hp Gladiator ^[4] , shocking British society as she was the first woman, a working secretary, to compete in a 'motor race'. She became noted for racing in a dust coat (a loose coverall coat reaching down to the ankles) ^[5] , matching hat and veil. On 25 July 1903 at the 'Sun-Rise Hill Climb' near Edgehill in Warwickshire she was the official passenger of S.F. Edge because her Gladiator was a non-starter.^[6] In 1903 she was reportedly the first Woman Driver to win an automobile race at Cowes on the Isle of Wight ^[7]

Later in 1903 Dorothy Levitt 'won' the inaugural British International Harmsworth Trophy for speedboats at Cork Harbour in Ireland. She achieved 19.3 mph in a 40 foot steel-hulled, 'Napier' speedboat fitted with a 3 blade propeller, owned by Selwyn Edge. As owner and entrant 'S.F.Edge' is engraved on the Trophy, although the third crew member Campbell Muir may also have taken the controls.

In 1904 Dorothy Levitt raced an officially entered De Dion car in the Hereford 1,000 mile trial, and only mechanical problems on the final day, which she repaired herself ^[8], prevented her from winning a gold medal.^[1]

In 1905 Dorothy Levitt drove an 80hp Napier at the annual speed trials in Brighton, winning both her class and the Autocar Challenge Trophy. A ‘works drive’ in a French Mors in the inaugural Tourist Trophy Race on the Isle of Man had been prohibited by Selwyn Edge in order to protect the reputation of his Napier marquee. Ironically the 208 mile race was won by Mr. J. S. Napier in his Arrol Johnson car, ahead of 40 competitors ^[9] ^[10].

In 1906 Dorothy Levitt broke the women's world speed record recording a speed of 96 mph and was described as "the fastest girl on Earth" when she drove a six-cylinder Napier motorcar at 91 miles per hour in a speed trial in Blackpool. She also set the Ladies' Record at the Shelsley Walsh Speed Hillclimb in a 50hp Napier (7790cc), making the climb in 92.4 seconds, 12 seconds faster than the male winner and around three minutes faster than the previous record set by Miss Larkins and sixth fastest overall. Her record stood until 1913.

In 1907 the newly opened Brooklands circuit would not accept her entry, even though she was vouchsafed by S.F.Edge, and it continued to reject women drivers until 1908. Thus she set her sights on Europe. In October she won her class in the Gaillon Hillclimb in France, driving a 40HP 6 cyl Napier. ^[6]. Additionally she is reported to have finished second in the Bexhill on Sea Speed Trial along the sea front^[11].

Her 1908 schedule was hectic and successful. In June she drove a 45 Hp Napier to win a silver plaque in the Prinz Heinrich Trophy at the Herkomer Trophy Trial in Germany. In July her 60 Hp Napier was second fastest of over 50 competitors at the Aston Clinton Hill Climb in Buckinghamshire. In August she competed at La Cote du Calvaire hill climb at Trouville in France^[6].

She was effectively both a 'works driver' and publicist for Napier cars owned by Selwyn Edge, plus also being his mistress for a period.

She became the leading exponent of a woman's "right to motor" and in 1909 published The Woman and the Car: A Chatty Little Hand Book for Women Who Motor or Want to Motor, based on her newspaper column in The Graphic. She also gave many lectures to encourage women to take up motoring.

Her book contained may tips including carrying a 'ladies hand mirror' to "occasionally hold up to see what is behind you". Thus she can be said to have pioneered the rear view mirror seven years before it was adopted by manufacturers.

Around this time (circa 1909) she also attempted to qualify as a pilot at the Hubert Latham School of Aviation in Chalons near Reims France ^[12].

[edit] Pioneering Motoring

Excerpts from The Woman and the Car: A chatty little handbook for all women who motor or who want to motor by Dorothy Levitt, c1907.

"Motoring is a pastime for women; young, middle-aged and - if there are any- old. There may be pleasure in being whirled around the country by your friends and relatives, or in a car driven by your chauffeur; but the real, the intense pleasure comes only when you drive you own car."^[13]

"The Car - There are scores of makes, good, bad and indifferent. I tried many cars and have come to the conclusion that the De Dion is the ideal, single cylinder car for a woman to drive. The single cylinder car is the most economical to run. The horse-power is usually 8 h.p. or less. As regards carriage work, the Victoria type of body has the most graceful lines. Such a car as I have described will cost, new, from 230 pounds. The price however is for the car itself, accessories bring up the cost."^[13]

"Starting a Car - In the front you will notice a handle. Push it inwards until you feel it fit into a notch, then pull it sharply, releasing your hold of the handle the minute you feel you have pulled it over the resisting point. On no account press down on the handle, always pull it upwards smartly. It if is pressed down the possibility of backfire is greater - and a broken arm may result."^[13]^[14]

"Changing Speed - In changing speed always remember to throttle slightly. Never change from first to top speed without using the intermediate speed. The first speed on these little cars is 0-9 miles an hour, the second is 9-18 and the top is 18-28. I should advise you to thoroughly get used to the steering while on second speed. Bear in mind that when riding or driving a horse, it is only partly under your control, as it has a brain. With a motor-car, you are on your own."^[13]

"The Mirror - The mirror should be fairly large to be really useful and it is better to have one with a handle. Just before starting take the glass out of the little drawer and put it into the little flap pocket of the car. You will find it useful to have handy, not only for personal use, but to occasionally hold up to see what is behind you."^[13]

"Motor Manners - Pedestrians, according to the law, practically own the highways. Dogs, chickens and other domestic animals at large are not pedestrians, and if one is driving at regular speed one is not responsible for their untimely end. It is advisable to drive slowly through town and villages and especially school houses. Drive slowly past anyone driving or riding a horse and if a lady or child is on top, stop the engine. It is an act of courtesy. Do not fail to sound the hooter and slacken speed when coming to a cross road. Never take a sharp corner at full speed. Never drive the engine downhill. Do not leave the engine running when stopping outside a house."^[13]

"What to Wear - An all important question is dress. With an open car, neatness and comfort are essential. Under no circumstance wear lace or fluffy adjuncts to your toilet. There is nothing like a thick frieze, homespun or tweed coat lined with fur. Do not heed the cry, 'nothing like leather.' Leather coats do not wear gracefully. One of the most important articles of wear is a scarf or muffler for the neck. Regarding gloves - never wear woollen gloves, but gloves made of good soft kid. You will find room for these gloves in the little drawer under the seat of the car. It is not advisable to wear rings. Indispensable to the motorist is the 'overall,' this should be made of butcher blue linen in the same shape as an artist's overall."^[13]