“It was a wonderful day; I certainly didn’t need a facelift!” Sandra Price laughs as she recalls her wing-walking experience.
“There were people stopping on the roads around the area, getting out of their cars and having a look. I was just waving to them and the more I waved the more the pilot did his dips and dives. I’ve got the certificate, and I could go and do that again.” Sandra smiles as she remembers the exhilarating day. Immediately, it’s clear that thrill-seeking runs through her veins.
Sandra Price is no ordinary grandmother. The 72-year-old became an ambassador for the popular Hills Ford Stages rally earlier this year. The event, which is organized by the Cheltenham Motor Club, is a celebration of closed-road rallying. Over 140 crews undertake an exhilarating journey on stages that pass through Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, and Worcestershire. Thousands of fans and locals attend the exhilarating September weekend which continues to grow in popularity. At the Ceremonial Start in Ledbury, Sandra even addressed the crowd as the event began.
First Grand Prix missed in a LONG time today, but it was for a good cause!
— Toby (@tnixon29) September 15, 2024
I’ve enjoyed two great days as part of the media team for the Hills Ford Stages. Really enjoyed stepping into Rally, and I’m excited to be back next year surrounded by some great people! 🏁#rally pic.twitter.com/hVFuioGpeL
You wouldn’t expect your average grandmother to be the face of a rallying event, but Sandra shatters that boundary. Her face lights up as she reveals how her journey as an ambassador started. “My son contacted Cheltenham Motor Club to see if there was anyone who would take me for a ride in a rally car and it all went from there really. They said, oh, let us think about that one. And then they put on this day for residents who had been helpful to them through the build-up to the rally and throughout the rally.
“We had a wonderful morning with the team and a lot of rally drivers gave up their time to take us for a drive, and it was just a wonderful morning. My son Neil had said, was there any chance of sorting a Christmas present, birthday present, and then they did it before my birthday, which was cool!” Whilst speaking, Sandra is engaging, describing her encounters with rallying in depth. Her helpfulness and can-do attitude have made her deserving of her ambassador status.
After her exciting ride, Sandra was given the opportunity to take the wheel of a rally car herself at the Silverstone Rally School. It quickly became an adrenaline-fuelled adventure that would etch itself into her memory forever. “I just loved it; I was just so sorry the day ended so soon! The instructors Mike (Stanley) and Izzie (Holman) were just so lovely and talked us through it and encouraged me. It was just a wonderful day, and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it in the car, and learning in the classroom as well.”
After catching the rally bug, Sandra now can’t get enough of the sport. To those who don’t know much about rallying, The 72-year-old sends a message to explain the multiple elements that combine to make it so special. “It’s people coming together, the excitement bounces off one another and, I just think that it’s just a lovely day. I went to the control station in Much Marcle and it just blew me away. There is so much work that goes into putting these rallies on. If more of the general public realized what went on behind the scenes, they would certainly be more for it. There’s a lot of safety to it. Go out, watch, and have a fun day.”
Images taken by Paul Mitchell Photography.
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