# F1's forgotten star: Helle Nice **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 14, 2018, 9:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/f1s-forgotten-star-helle-nice/822928 "2018-10-14T09:58:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2018, 9:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/f1s-forgotten-star-helle-nice/822928/1 "2018-10-14T09:58:40Z")
The BBC have an article on this remarkable woman [here](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/45796892). > [@](#): > > Motorsport remains largely dominated by men, a detail the inaugural W Series hopes to change. But high-level women’s racing has, over the years, produced some extraordinary talent - and the almost-forgotten life story of Helle Nice, winner of the first ever Grand Prix for Women in 1929, is among the most extraordinary of any driver in motor racing history. > > “It’s all I ever ask for, just to show what I can do without a handicap against men,” said Nice in 1930. At the time she was one of the most famous women in the world. And how sad her post-WW2 comeback was ruined by false accusations of having been a Gestapo spy and that she was rejected by her family. ---
**Author:** ![mind\_the\_gap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ea666f/32.png) [@mind\_the\_gap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mind_the_gap)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2018, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/f1s-forgotten-star-helle-nice/822928/2 "2018-10-14T11:36:40Z")
What an inspiring woman. Thanks for the link. It’s sad she died unrecognized for her accomplishments. Mrs. Gap and her grand daughter will enjoy her story. ---
**Author:** ![blindboyard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blindboyard/32/2833_2.png) [@blindboyard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blindboyard)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2018, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/f1s-forgotten-star-helle-nice/822928/3 "2018-10-14T12:49:47Z")
> **[Desiré Wilson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desir%C3%A9_Wilson)** > > Desiré Randall Wilson (born 26 November 1953) is a former racing driver from South Africa and one of only five women to have competed in Formula One. Born in Brakpan, she entered one Formula One World Championship Grand Prix in 1980 with a non-works RAM Racing-prepared Williams FW07, but failed to qualify. She also raced in the 1981 non-world championship South African Grand Prix in a one off deal with Tyrrell Racing. This race was not part of the 1981 world championship due, in part, She beca... > [@](#): > > She became the only woman to win a Formula One race of any kind when she won at Brands Hatch in the short-lived British Aurora F1 Championship in 1980.[3] As a result of this achievement, she has a grandstand at Brands Hatch named after her.[5] Following her attempts in Formula One, Wilson participated in other disciplines including CART[6] and sports car racing.[5] In 1982, Wilson entered the Indianapolis 500, but failed to qualify. She did not qualify for 1983 and 1984 Indy 500s as well.[5] ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2018, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/f1s-forgotten-star-helle-nice/822928/4 "2018-10-14T16:33:03Z")
Interesting. I wonder what the deal with her and her family was? Maybe I’ll have to read the book. Damn.