Fascinating lady and role model, loved her Autoweek articles. I remember reading she wore double goggles when racing (as did many other drivers at the time) and I believe she loaned a pair to, Innes or maybe Moss, - can't remember, because he didn't have a spare set. Naturally, she received a rock chip shattering her lens but continued to race blind in one eye. Deepest sympathies to her family and friends.
Sad news. Ongoing thread over here: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/whos-who-ferrari-universe/486666-denise-mccluggage.html
Sad news. Met her a couple of times, a very gracious lady who got to drive one of my favorites the Nart spyder at Sebring before it took part in the Thomas Crown affair. 25 years ago at Jacques Vaucher's penthouse gallery I found an archive photo of her or her co driver in the car at Sebring, a cherished posession, wish I had it here with me to post. I enjoyed her writings particularly a column about the limitations of linear thinkers. RIP
I found this photo (full page) in the 1961 Automobile Year Sebring report. The caption reads: "Denise McCluggage, professional journalist and talented driver awaits her team mate, Alan Eager, with the information board. Sharing a Ferrari they won the class reserved for GT cars." Photo W. Ballard Image Unavailable, Please Login
I had the pleasure of finally meeting Denise at her induction into the Sebring Hall of Fame in 2012. She was among a great class of inductees and I was suddenly invited into a meeting at the Chateau Elan where the induction ceremonies were being held and ended up in the ball room where everyone was gathering for the ceremony. Denise was sitting on the dais all alone so I walked up to her to congratulate her on the achievement. She was most gracious as of course she didn't know me from a hole in the wall but never the less, we shared some great Sebring memories for several minutes until I had to excuse myself as I got pulled away for the meeting. There was another woman racer/journalist named Pat Brooks for a time, lived in Sebring and wrote for various magazines much like Denise. BHW
NYT obit: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/10/sports/autoracing/denise-mccluggage-auto-racing-pacesetter-dies-at-88.html?action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=c-column-middle-span-region®ion=c-column-middle-span-region&WT.nav=c-column-middle-span-region&_r=0
