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Janet Guthrie: The first woman at the Indianapolis 500

How the pioneering racing driver broke the gender barrier at America's top motor race.

In 1977, Janet Guthrie became the first woman to qualify for the Indianapolis 500 - the biggest race in American motorsport. Guthrie, a former aerospace engineer, had faced opposition and scepticism from male drivers and some sections of the press. In 2017 she talked to Rachael Gillman.

(Photo: Janet Guthrie after qualifying for the Indianapolis 500 in 1977. Credit: Getty Images)

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9 minutes

Last on

Sun 1 May 202213:50GMT

Broadcasts

  • Thu 28 Apr 202209:50GMT
  • Thu 28 Apr 202223:50GMT
  • Sat 30 Apr 202217:50GMT
  • Sun 1 May 202213:50GMT

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