Alice Graves raced in IMSA in 1983 and 1984. She was regarded as America’s oldest female professional racing driver at the time, being in her fifties and a grandmother.
Her car was a Porsche 914/6, which she shared with her husband Richard Graves. They bought their first Porsche in 1976 and initially used it for road rallies with the Porsche Club of America.
In 1983, they entered the Road America, Pocono and Daytona Finale rounds, with a best finish of 17th at Pocono.
In 1984, she raced at Mid-Ohio, Road America and Pocono. Their best finish was 25th at Mid-Ohio. The Porsche was not overly competitive, compared to newer 962s and Aston Martins. At this point, it was eight years old.
With its 2000cc, six-cylinder engine, the 914 was always rather underpowered compared to the giants of IMSA, but it normally held its own in its class.
Alice owned and raced other cars, including a Datsun in which she won her class at the 1984 SCCA June Sprints at Elkhart Lake.
The Porsche was road-legal and according to Alice in an interview with the Chicago Tribune, she occasionally used it to go shopping, much to the dismay of her daughter.
Both Alice and Richard retired from major competition at the end of the 1984 season.
(Image copyright Chicago Tribune/Jose More)
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